Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title in bombshell statement as eye issues continue

Tom Aspinall has announced he is vacating the UFC heavyweight title, as he struggles to get clearance to fight again amid an ongoing eye injury.

The Briton, 33, has not fought since October, when his first defence of the belt ended as a first-round no-contest, courtesy of Ciryl Gane landing numerous eye pokes.

Aspinall was unable to continue fighting on that night in Abu Dhabi, and the ensuing months brought multiple eye surgeries. Aspinall eventually returned to training, but UFC president Dana White hinted on Saturday that the promotion might look into stripping the Manchester fighter.

Tom Aspinall was left badly injured by Ciryl Gane’s eye pokes (AFP)

Monday morning then brought a statement from Aspinall, who said: “Ongoing eye complications mean I cannot get cleared to fight right now. I’ve had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing.

“I know there has been questions about why I have been quiet. I have always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we’ve tried to make this happen. I have now made the decision to vacate the Heavyweight Title.

“I asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don’t want to hold the Heavyweight division up. I know what it’s like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title.

“The UFC and Hunter [Campbell, UFC CBO] have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes. We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen but, unfortunately, it is simply not possible right now.

“I am absolutely gutted. I have chased this dream since I was 10 years old.”

Aspinall added: “I am not done. Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I will continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.

“What makes this particularly difficult is that many of the complications I’m dealing with are a result of fouls that changed the course of my career. Fighters rely on officials to enforce the rules and protect us in those moments, and it’s hard to still be dealing with the consequences today.

Aspinall after winning the interim UFC heavyweight title in 2023 (Getty)

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this absolute nightmare. I’ll be back as soon as I’m medically able to be.”

In June, Gane fought Alex Pereira for the interim title at the White House, winning via second-round stoppage. The Frenchman is now expected to be elevated to regular champion. Last week, Pereira teased that he could be set for a rematch with Gane, having claimed that Gane landed numerous illegal punches in the moments before the stoppage.

Aspinall’s comment about knowing “what it’s like to have your career put on hold” was a reference to his own saga with Jon Jones.

In early 2023, Jones won the heavyweight belt but was injured weeks before his first title defence that November, and he did not return to defend his belt until November 2024. Aspinall, who won the interim title in November 2023, was therefore unable to unify the belts against Jones throughout this episode, but opted to defend the interim strap – in a rare move – and defeated Curtis Blaydes in July 2024 to do so.

Jones vs Aspinall therefore looked set, but the American spent months refusing to commit to a fight with Aspinall, before ultimately retiring in summer 2025, having kept Aspinall out of the cage for a year.