UFC president Dana White has finally addressed Tom Aspinall’s frustration over his post-UFC 321 remarks, and he’s not backing down from speaking his mind.
As always, Dana doesn’t sugarcoat anything. After Aspinall’s UFC 321 title defense ended abruptly due to an eye poke from Ciryl Gane, White casually suggested that Tom “didn’t want” to continue. That line sparked immediate controversy, and Aspinall made it clear he wasn’t happy, dropping his own video statement and airing his thoughts on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
Now Dana has responded, speaking directly on the situation during the UFC 323 post-fight press conference.
“I get it,” White said at UFC 323. “I don’t remember exactly what I said. What did I say? I think his eyes are OK? I know Tom said I haven’t even talked to him and all this stuff. We have people all over him right now, checking up on him, making sure he’s good, does he need any help or any specialists. I’m no doctor. I’m just saying what I’ve heard.
“It wasn’t said in a way [to be detrimental]. I said I think Tom’s eyes are good, he’s going to take some time, heal and come back. That’s all I said.
“I wasn’t saying anything negative towards him. I think things can be taken out of context or he didn’t see what I said because I don’t even remember what the f*ck I said. But never once did I say anything negative about him or in a derogatory way.”
Aspinall had earlier defended his decision to stop fighting, stressing that the injury made it impossible to continue safely.
“I didn’t continue, and I’ll tell you why I didn’t continue: because I’m not a f*cking dummy,” Aspinall said. “I’m not going to go out there and fight one of the best strikers in the world if I can’t see. If it’s a legal move, we have to fight through it. But when it’s a foul, why am I going to put my health at risk when I cannot see at all?”
Aspinall also revealed that he still hasn’t regained full vision, and doctors can’t yet give him a timeline for his return. While that uncertainty hangs over the heavyweight division, White insists the support is there and that there was never any intention to diminish Tom’s toughness or decision.
“I’m sure he’s upset and fired up,” White said. “He’ll get better and we’ll get him back in there. It doesn’t determine…whether or not you’re friends with somebody or hate them, you’re competing to see who the best is. But that’s his decision. To think about even vacating him because you don’t want to compete against somebody is insane.”
One thing is clear, miscommunication or not, both men want the same outcome, Aspinall healed up and back in the Octagon, ready to settle the unfinished business with Ciryl Gane.
