UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall Relinquishes Belt Due to Persistent Eye Injury

UFC mixed martial arts heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has chosen to vacate his title following ongoing medical complications stemming from an eye injury. The injury occurred during his bout with Ciryl Gane last year, as confirmed by the British fighter.

“I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye,” Tom Aspinall shared on Instagram on Monday. “This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear.”

The 33-year-old athlete has undergone multiple surgeries following severe eye pokes sustained during his title defence against Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi last October. That match ultimately ended as a first-round no-contest after Tom Aspinall could not continue.

Tom Aspinall explained that he relinquished the belt to prevent holding up the division during his recovery. This decision allows Ciryl Gane, who secured the interim heavyweight title by defeating Alex Pereira in June, to step up as the undisputed champion.

Although he is vacating the belt, Tom Aspinall emphasized that he is not retiring and intends to fight again. “Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream,” he wrote. “I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.”