Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title amid ongoing eye injury complications

Tom Aspinall has relinquished the UFC heavyweight title as he continues to recover from the serious eye injury suffered against Ciryl Gane last October.

The British heavyweight champion has confirmed that ongoing complications mean he is currently unable to receive medical clearance to compete, with no definitive timeframe for his return to the Octagon.

Aspinall has undergone multiple surgeries since his first title defence against Gane ended in a no-contest at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.

The fight was stopped after Aspinall was unable to continue following eye pokes from Gane, with the heavyweight later revealing he was suffering from double vision and mobility issues.

After months of treatment, Aspinall has now decided to give up the championship rather than hold up the heavyweight division.

“Ongoing eye complications mean I cannot get cleared to fight right now,” Aspinall said.

“I've had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing.

“I know there have 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.”

The 33-year-old became Britain's first UFC heavyweight champion in June 2025 after being elevated from interim champion following the retirement of Jon Jones.

Aspinall had originally captured the interim belt with a first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023 before successfully defending it against Curtis Blaydes the following year.

His long-awaited elevation to undisputed champion finally came after Jones retired, but Aspinall's first defence against Gane ended in unfortunate circumstances.

He has now revealed that the UFC has been kept informed throughout his recovery and has been given access to the medical information surrounding his injury.

“The UFC and Hunter [Campbell] have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes,” Aspinall said.

“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.”

Despite relinquishing the championship, Aspinall has made it clear that he has no intention of retiring from MMA.

Instead, his focus will remain on recovering sufficiently to receive medical clearance and eventually return to competition.

“I am not done,” Aspinall said.

“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.”

Aspinall also addressed the circumstances surrounding the injury and his frustration at continuing to deal with the consequences of the fouls.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn, whose Matchroom Talent Agency represents Aspinall, has backed the heavyweight to eventually return to the Octagon.

“This has been an incredibly challenging time for Tom,” Hearn said.

“But he has shown his total class throughout. Everyone at Matchroom is with him every step of the way.

“We are confident that he will succeed in his ultimate goal to return to the Octagon and reclaim the title that is rightfully his.”

Aspinall will make no further immediate comment as he continues his recovery.