UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall believes he’ll be back to business soon.
Aspinall hasn’t been inside the Octagon since he was double poked in the eyes back in Oct. 2025. Aspinall and Ciryl Gane collided in a title fight at UFC 321. Gane had early success before accidentally poking Aspinall in both eyes. The champion couldn’t continue, and the fight was ruled a no contest.
Aspinall underwent eye surgeries and has been waiting to be cleared for contact. In a new vlog on his YouTube channel, Aspinall provided a positive update on his recovery (via MMAFighting).
“We are just on route back from the eye hospital, where today, I’ve had a scan, and things are progressing f*cking nicely, which I’m very happy about,” Aspinall said. “They’re saying, pretty soon, if things keep moving in the right direction, I will be cleared for contact. I am back in the gym, I am back training, [but] not sparring just yet. But if things keep going the way they’re going, we are back.”
Aspinall isn’t sure the exact time frame for his return, but he’s not expecting to wait much longer.
“No specific month,” Aspinall said. I’m waiting to get clearance, which is going to be coming soon, they’ve just told me. And any specific month depends on the UFC. Those two have got to fight each other. Let them do the thing first. Recover from that, and then, when everybody’s ready, we’ll do it.”
Aspinall referred to the upcoming interim UFC Heavyweight Championship fight between Alex Pereira and Gane. Aspinall will be paying close attention to that matchup, as he will be facing the winner if he is cleared for contact soon. Pereira vs. Gane is set to take place on the UFC Freedom 250 card on June 14.
BJPenn.com will provide an update when Aspinall is cleared to return to action.