In a story that highlights the unpredictability of sports injuries and the serious implications they carry, Tom Aspinall’s future in mixed martial arts remains shrouded in uncertainty. But here’s where it gets controversial: with his recent injury, questions about whether he should return to fighting anytime soon are more relevant than ever.
It’s been over a month since Aspinall's highly disappointing setback at UFC 321, where he was defending his heavyweight title in what seemed like a promising fight. Tragically, the bout was cut short when Gane poked Aspinall’s eye, making it impossible for him to continue—and resulting in a victory for Gane. Despite Aspinall leaving Abu Dhabi with his belt—even if vacated temporarily—public opinion has been divided. Some argue he should have fought through the injury, blaming the foul on Gane, while others insist the focus should be on Aspinall’s health and well-being.
Throughout his recovery process, Aspinall has been vocal, sharing updates and even responding to critics—including prominent UFC figures like Dana White. Most recently, a platform called Uncrowned released footage where Aspinall discusses the severity of his eye injury with specialist Dr. Aws Al-Hity. You can watch a snippet below, courtesy of UFC on TNT.
Dr. Al-Hity explains the current state of Aspinall’s eye, noting clear differences between the two eyes. He observes that Aspinall’s left eye moves upward and inward quite well, indicating good recovery, but his right eye shows stagnation—it isn’t elevating or turning inward as much, which points to a restriction. The doctor mentions that this condition causes Aspinall discomfort, especially in the upper inner corner of the eye. He also highlights that if Aspinall were to engage in a fight, this limitation could cause him to tilt his head to compensate, potentially risking further injury or prolonging recovery.
Before his UFC 321 ordeal, Aspinall was on a remarkable trajectory—having won and defended an interim heavyweight title. When Jon Jones retired this past June, Aspinall was promoted to undisputed heavyweight champion, further fueling his ambitions for a unification bout with Jones. However, instead of Jones, he was matched with Ciryl Gane, and now there’s speculation about a possible immediate rematch, although no official plans have been announced.
At present, Aspinall isn’t even certain when he will be cleared to train, let alone fight again. His situation remains guarded, and the prognosis for his full recovery is still uncertain,
