“Injection in Eyeball” – Tom Aspinall Reveals Timeline on When He’ll Return to UFC
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall shares intricate details about his eye condition following the eye poke accident.
Tom Aspinall shares updates about his recovery (via X)
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Tom Aspinall fought Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in a heavyweight title bout that unexpectedly ended after an accidental poke. The British champion was unable to continue following the incident, which forced the officials to stop the highly anticipated championship fight immediately.
The bout was ruled a no-contest, leaving fans extremely disappointed as the abrupt ending completely derailed expectations for a decisive outcome. Following the incident, Aspinall consulted doctors who gave a detailed diagnosis, and fully supported his difficult decision to stop fighting.
The UK native felt unhappy with the outcome and remains eager to secure a highly sought-after rematch for the heavyweight championship against Gane. In a recent interview, the champion discussed his recovery progress and addressed possible timelines regarding his determined return to competition.
With eyes you’ve got to be careful. They don’t really know when I’m gonna be back. I’m still not even cleared to train. They’re talking about doing surgery on both eyes. I have to get an injection in the eyeball soon.
Tom Aspinall via The Ariel Helwani Show
According to medical reports, Aspinall was diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome caused by severe orbital soft tissue trauma impacting his vision. Doctors also indicated a potential fracture in his right medial orbital wall, adding further concern to his already complicated situation.
🚨 Tom Aspinall says he has no idea when he’ll be able to fight again 😬
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 2, 2025
“With eyes you’ve got to be careful. They don’t really know when I’m gonna be back. I’m still not even cleared to train.
They’re talking about doing surgery on both eyes. I have to get an injection in the… pic.twitter.com/VhYkPmIqAV
Aspinall criticized Gane by calling him a cheater and shared footage allegedly showing repeated attempts to eye poke him intentionally. Tom Aspinall blasted critics for months of harsh accusations, calling them losers who constantly attack elite fighters regardless of circumstances.
The UK native expressed frustration toward fans who labeled him a quitter despite doctors confirming legitimate injuries that required immediate protective action. Aspinall criticized UFC leadership for failing to support his health-first decision, emphasizing that fighters deserve respect when prioritizing long-term well-being today.
He voiced disappointment with CEO Dana White for downplaying his injuries, insisting athletes should never be punished for protecting themselves fully. Tom Aspinall believes that all this has made him more motivated to make a huge comeback and end his rivalry with Ciryl Gane.
Tom Aspinall slams Jon Jones for mocking him
Following the controversial eye poke incident at UFC 321, Jon Jones began relentlessly trolling Tom Aspinall online, seizing every possible opportunity openly available. Jones repeatedly posted sarcastic comments implying Aspinall exaggerated injuries, provoking heated discussions among fans who questioned the heavyweight champ’s toughness.

He shared edited memes depicting the stoppage as cowardly, further fueling tensions and reviving lingering hostility between both heavyweight stars. Jones even referenced their older rivalry, reminding audiences of previous callouts where Aspinall sought a fight Jones never formally entertained.
Through persistent jabs and online theatrics, Jones intensified public interest, pushing narratives portraying Aspinall as vulnerable while elevating himself boldly. In a recent interview, Aspinall took this opportunity to hit Jones with a sneaky jab.
I thought this guy was a GOAT. Focus on yourself. Bro, you’re retired. Just do your own thing. If you’re so much better than everybody else, enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about what I am doing.
Tom Aspinall continued.
Jones used the eye-poke controversy to redirect his full attention toward a matchup with Alex Pereira at the upcoming White House event. Several UFC legends criticized Tom Aspinall heavily, claiming his emotional reactions demonstrated unnecessary vulnerability unbecoming of a rising heavyweight contender.
Tom Aspinall responded to Jon Jones trolling him about the eye poke 😬
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) December 2, 2025
“I thought this guy was the GOAT? Focus on yourself, bro. You’re retired. If you’re so much better than everybody else, just go enjoy yourself.”
(via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/fii7kFysGV
Analysts like Chael Sonnen argued Aspinall should have continued fighting, insisting elite competitors must endure adversity even under painful accidental fouls. Nevertheless, anticipation has skyrocketed for Aspinall’s impending rematch with Ciryl Gane, creating renewed excitement surrounding the heavyweight division’s evolving landscape.
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