Ben Askren Calls Out Tom Aspinall’s ‘Whiny’ Behavior After Latest Eye Poke Theory

Ben Askren talks about Tom Aspinall's latest comments on Ciryl Gane following the eye poke incident at UFC 321.

Ben Askren Calls Out Tom Aspinall’s ‘Whiny’ Behavior After Latest Eye Poke Theory

Ben Askren blames Tom Aspinall following their recent comments (via X)

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Tom Aspinall’s last UFC 321 appearance ended abruptly after an accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane left him unable to safely continue. The heavyweight title bout was ruled a no-contest, creating disappointment among fans who expected a defining clash between the two.

However, Aspinall faced harsh criticism online, with some accusing him of intentionally giving up despite his clearly compromised vision and safety concerns. Tom Aspinall recently posted a detailed YouTube video explaining the injury and how he was struggling to recover from it.

He directly criticised Gane, calling him a cheater and claiming the Frenchman repeatedly attempted eye pokes throughout their exchanges. Aspinall even showcased multiple clips highlighting Gane’s extended fingers and instances of cage grabbing, further supporting his complaints about unfair tactics.

The video rapidly went viral, sparking intense debates among MMA fans and experts about Aspinall’s accusations and Gane’s controversial actions. Former UFC fighter Ben Askren joined the discussion, and criticized Aspinall for complaining and questioning his reactions to the controversial incident.

This is so whiny. Bad look.

Ben Askren via X

Ben Askren recently showcased remarkable resilience after enduring a double lung transplant, earning widespread admiration throughout the entire MMA community. In contrast, many critics have labelled Tom Aspinall a quitter, accusing him of exaggerating his injury following the controversial incident.

UFC CEO Dana White also criticized Aspinall publicly, questioning his toughness and adding further pressure to the ongoing heated debate. Aspinall has now responded firmly, insisting he didn’t want to fight with a compromised eye against a dangerous striker like Ciryl Gane. The UK champion mentioned that everything was going smoothly in the fight, and the nosebleed he suffered didn’t bother him.

The fighter gave credit to Gane and called him his biggest challenge due to his speed and string accuracy. Tom Aspinall’s latest medical report stated he was diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown syndrome. It is a rare injury affecting both eyes and severely limiting upward gaze.

The condition caused intense pain, restricted movement, and major depth-perception issues, leaving him unable to drive safely or continue any form of training. Doctors have advised strict rest, regular monitoring, and complete avoidance of physical strain to prevent long-term damage.

UFC veteran talks about Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones 

Following the incident, Jon Jones consistently mocked Tom Aspinall, using every opportunity to question his toughness and criticize his willingness to continue. Jones ridiculed Aspinall’s ability to fight through adversity, suggesting the heavyweight champ quits whenever pressure escalates during high-stakes competitive situations.

Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones
Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones (via X)

Their long-standing rivalry has fueled ongoing tension, despite Jones’s insistence that he no longer wants any competitive connection with Aspinall. Instead, Jones publicly confirmed his intention to challenge Alex Pereira at the upcoming White House event, generating massive global attention.

However, discussions surrounding a potential Jones versus Aspinall matchup persist, continuously resurfacing within media circles and dedicated fan communities worldwide. Recently, Georges St-Pierre weighed in and offered his perspective on the matchup and acknowledging its unique intrigue for heavyweight fans.

But if [Jones and Aspinall] fight, I don’t know. I don’t know. Jones is an anomaly. You cannot bet against Jon Jones. Even though on paper, you might say he’s older, he’s not in his prime anymore, but man, he’s Jon Jones, you know what I mean.

Georges St-Pierre via Adin Ross 

Tom Aspinall remains determined to secure his anticipated title rematch against Ciryl Gane, despite currently being unable to train properly. Experts believe the rematch will generate massive attention because of their intense rivalry, controversial history, and numerous accusations exchanged publicly.

The British fighter insists he will return to full training soon, aiming to silence critics and reclaim momentum in the heated heavyweight title picture. Since UFC 324 and UFC 324 have their main events, the promotion will look towards book the title rematch in March or April for the time being.

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