Tom Aspinall’s rise to the top of the UFC heavyweight division did not happen by accident.
The British standout became one of the most respected and popular fighters on the roster after stepping up on short notice to win an interim title, defending that belt without hesitation, and tearing through elite heavyweights while Jon Jones waited on an aging Stipe Miocic. Tom Aspinall delivered every time the UFC called, often ending fights in devastating first-round fashion.
However, his first defense as undisputed champion took a shocking and controversial turn.A competitive opening round against Ciryl Gane came to an abrupt end after Aspinall suffered a severe eye poke. With his vision compromised, he could not continue, forcing officials to stop the fight.
Despite medical documentation confirming the seriousness of the injury and the need for surgery, Tom Aspinall quickly found himself under fire, with critics accusing him of using the eye poke as an excuse to avoid a fight they believed was slipping away.
“When you see that stuff online, I just felt so bad for Tom,” Aspinall’s longtime friend and teammate Modestas Bukauskas told MMA Fighting. “He’s been a consummate company man. He took a fight on, what, two weeks’ notice against Sergei Pavlovich. He’s waited on the sidelines for Jon Jones. He’s done everything for this company and put on amazing performances. People forget all of that so quickly.”
Bukauskas, who competes next at UFC 324, spoke from personal experience when addressing the criticism aimed at Tom Aspinall.
“I’ve been poked in the eye pretty badly myself,” Bukauskas said. “My vision was blurry for ages. One time, it lasted almost a year. That one against Tom was knuckle-deep. It’s unfair for people to jump on him because he couldn’t continue. What if that happened to you? You wouldn’t be fighting either.”
From countless hours spent training together, Bukauskas knows Aspinall’s mindset better than most. He has no doubt the heavyweight champion would fight through almost anything, but impaired vision against an elite striker like Gane crosses a dangerous line.
“He’s the champion of the world,” Bukauskas said. “He’s fighting one of the best guys in the division. Ciryl Gane is fast, uses his range, and is a tricky kickboxer. You can’t go out there compromised, especially when your sight is affected. That’s the main thing you need against someone like that.”
Bukauskas admitted the backlash bothered him deeply but believes it may ultimately fuel Tom Aspinall’s next chapter.
“I thought the reaction was absolutely horrible,” he said. “But at the same time, it’s probably giving him another log for the fire when he comes back.”
Tom Aspinall has since confirmed he will undergo surgery to repair the damage but has not set a timetable for his return. Even so, Bukauskas says the severity of the injury should leave no room for doubt.
“He has to get surgery,” Bukauskas said. “He’s getting injections and other treatments because his eye still isn’t right. Eye injuries are serious. Recovering fully takes time.”
If there is a silver lining, Bukauskas believes the criticism will only sharpen the champion’s edge.
“I know Tom is going to use this as fuel,” he said. “People were quick to support him and just as quick to turn on him. That puts a chip on your shoulder. I feel sorry for whoever has to face him when he comes back, because he’s going to return with another level of intensity.”
“You don’t want to rattle the bull,” he said. “When Tom Aspinall comes back, expect him to come out all guns blazing. There’s a switch in him. You can see it in his eyes. If that switch is amplified now, that’s going to be one scary dude.”
For Tom Aspinall, the setback may have cost him momentum, but it may have also created a far more dangerous champion when he returns.
