Tom Aspinall awaiting medical clearance after controversial fight
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is still awaiting medical clearance to resume training. This, following the controversial incident with Ciryl Gane during their title fight on October 25th in Abu Dhabi, where he suffered an illegal eye poke. Aspinall (15-3) shared an update on social media on Sunday, revealing the possible need for surgery to treat the persistent symptoms stemming from the incident. Furthermore, he called Gane “a big cheater,” insinuating that the foul was intentional.The heavyweight title fight was declared “no contest” due to Aspinall’s inability to continue after the eye poke at the end of the first round. The English fighter also expressed his discontent with the comments made by UFC CEO Dana White after the fight, where Aspinall’s nosebleed was mentioned and it was stated that “Tom didn’t want to continue in the fight”.When it initially happened, I didn’t think much of it. I thought it was an accidental poke in the eye. Watching the fight again, I realized what was going on. The guy tried to take my eyes out the entire round. In multiple exchanges, almost every one where he could have put me in danger, he had his fingers extended, pointing at my eyes. The guy cheated from the first second. The way he wanted to win that fight was to have me compromised by cheating.
Tom Aspinall
The UFC has indicated its intention to reschedule the Aspinall-Gane fight as soon as possible. Aspinall also expressed eagerness for the rematch, but is unclear about the recovery time. According to a medical summary shared on his social media, he still suffers from double and blurred vision. The outcome of the fight was detrimental to both parties, as Aspinall’s career and the UFC heavyweight division had been in a holding pattern for much of 2025. Aspinall stated that he is focusing on his recovery and following medical advice. “We will cross the bridge [of my future with the UFC] when I feel better and everything is fine. If you were sidelined from your job for 15 months [due to the situation with Jones], unable to do anything, then you train hard for six months for a fight, only to receive a double eye poke and be left without vision for almost six weeks due to an illegal move, how do you think I feel? I don’t feel fantastic, do I?”I didn’t continue and I’ll tell you why. Because I’m not an idiot. I’m not going to go out and fight one of the best strikers in the world when I can’t see with one eye. I know, as an MMA fighter, that things are going to happen in a fight that compromise you. If it’s a legal move, you have to fight through it. That’s what we do as fighters. But if it’s illegal, why am I going to put my health at risk when I can’t see anything?
Tom Aspinall
