Aspinall Remains Sidelined as Eyes Heal
The former UFC heavyweight champion is still waiting for his eyes to fully recover after a series of surgeries and an eye injury.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Tom Aspinall remains out of action while he waits for his eyes to fully heal. He vacated the UFC heavyweight title in September due to ongoing eye complications that followed an eye poke from Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, where the bout was declared a no-contest.
Why it matters
Aspinall's absence leaves the UFC heavyweight division in limbo, with Gane set to make his first title defense at UFC 334 against Josh Hokit. The outcome of his next eye scan will determine whether he can return and pursue the belt again.
Aspinall is 33 years old and has had multiple eye surgeries and injections this year, with further damage to his right eye during sparring. Whether the infection is under control remains unresolved until his scan next year.
The players
Tom Aspinall
Aspinall is a UFC heavyweight fighter who vacated the title in September and is now recovering from ongoing eye complications.
Ciryl Gane
Gane is a UFC heavyweight fighter who double-eye poked Aspinall at UFC 321 and is slated to make his first title defense against Josh Hokit at UFC 334.
Josh Hokit
Hokit is a UFC heavyweight fighter scheduled to face Gane in his first title defense at UFC 334.
The details
Ciryl Gane double-eye poked Aspinall at UFC 321, and the bout was declared a no-contest after Aspinall could not continue. Aspinall has stepped away from social media to focus on recovery and has shared images of light training in the gym.
Timeline
UFC 321: Gane double-eye poked Aspinall, and the bout was declared a no-contest.
September: Aspinall vacated the UFC heavyweight title due to ongoing eye complications.
This year: Aspinall underwent multiple eye surgeries and injections.
Next year: Aspinall is scheduled for an eye scan to determine whether the infection is under control.
UFC 334: Gane is slated to make his first title defense against Josh Hokit.
Season Trajectory
The UFC 321 no-contest ruling set the stage for a vacated title and a delayed comeback, reshaping the heavyweight picture. Gane's upcoming title defense at UFC 334 will define the division's direction while Aspinall's recovery remains uncertain.
Fantasy and betting followers should note that Aspinall is out of the UFC heavyweight rotation for now, and Gane's UFC 334 title defense against Josh Hokit will set the division's immediate lineup. Aspinall's return depends on next year's eye scan, so his availability remains unconfirmed.
The takeaway
Aspinall's recovery shows how a single eye injury can reshape a title picture for months. Readers following the division should watch for the outcome of his next scan, which will decide whether he can challenge for the belt again.
What happens next
Aspinall is scheduled to undergo an eye scan next year to determine whether the infection is under control and whether he can be cleared to return.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Mixed Martial Arts section for background on the UFC heavyweight division.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LowKickMMA.
