UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall Returns to Training 6 Months After Double Eye Surgery

After months of a sitting on the sidelines, UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall is finally back in the gym hitting pads as he prepares for his comeback.

UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall Returns to Training 6 Months After Double Eye Surgery

Tom Aspinall (via BBC)

In Short
  • Tom Aspinall is resuming training six months after undergoing double eye surgery.
  • He is expected to face the winner of the interim championship fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.
  • Aspinall has expressed dissatisfaction with the UFC while also defending Jon Jones amid ongoing tensions.

The UFC heavyweight division is apparently moving on from its champion, Tom Aspinall, for now. Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane are set to fight for the interim championship at the White House while the champion recovers from his double eye surgery. However, the Englishman seems to be nearing a return to action as he awaits the coronation of a new interim champion who will likely be his next opponent.

Tom Aspinall has remained on the sidelines after suffering a gruesome eye injury caused by Ciryl Gane poking both his eyes at UFC 321, six months ago. The injury was severe enough for Aspinall to require surgery to recover from it. Throughout his recovery, the Englishman has provided fans with updates about the nitty-gritty of the process.

It seems things are now coming along well, as evidenced by the most recent video on his channel of him visiting Croatia. The Englishman could be seen doing cardio on a treadmill and even hitting pads for a while in this latest video. The 33-year-old seems to be inching closer to being fully fit. So, the return of the dominant heavyweight could be imminent.

The injury Tom Aspinall suffered was gruesome, but the recovery process was no picnic for the heavyweight. At one point, it seemed as though Aspinall’s UFC career could be in danger. However, the recovery was apparently worth it as the heavyweight champion seems to be getting back into the thick of things.

It isn’t like Tom Aspinall has been sitting idly by as he recovers from double eye surgery. The Englishman has made moves outside the octagon, like signing with Dana White‘s sworn rival, Eddie Hearn. While he signed with Hearn in a strictly advisory role, it is difficult to imagine White being all too pleased with it.

Nonetheless, it isn’t like Aspinall is all that pleased with the UFC either. Hearn even claimed that his fellow Englishman did not want to return to the promotion following the reaction from the promotion and fans after the eye poke from Gane. However, nothing is better evidence of his dissatisfaction than Aspinall coming to the defense of his former rival, Jon Jones.

Tom Aspinall says UFC should give Jon Jones the respect he deserves

Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones had quite an odd rivalry. After becoming the interim champion in November 2023, Aspinall spent the majority of his reign begging Jones to fight him. However, that fight never transpired in spite of the Englishman’s best efforts. Instead, he was promoted to undisputed champion once Jon Jones retired.

Tom Aspinall comes to Jon Jones' support
Tom Aspinall comes to Jon Jones’ support (via The Mac Life)

Despite the tumultuous nature of this saga, Tom Aspinall recently came to Bones’ defense. This happened after yet another public fallout between Jones and the UFC, which saw the former double champion ask for his release. Aspinall spoke about this to Ariel Helwani on the Ariel Helwani Show.

Why is the UFC not giving Jon the respect he deserves financially? That’s crazy to me. If anyone should be getting paid a lot in this sport, it should be Jon Jones for the stuff that he’s done…That’s me saying that. After the history that I’ve had with Jon Jones, if anybody should be getting money in this sport, it’s Jon Jones.

Tom Aspinall on the UFC not paying Jon Jones

From Dana White’s reaction to Aspinall’s deal with Hearn to the comments above, it is clear that the relationship between the UFC and its heavyweight champion is rocky at best. However, Aspinall also recently reaffirmed his commitment to the UFC and the sport of MMA as a whole. He revealed that a move to boxing was not on the cards while he still had goals to achieve in the UFC.

So, as the heavyweight champion’s return draws closer, it is likely he and the UFC will mend fences. After all, Aspinall’s next opponent is set to be the winner of the White House card’s co-main event.

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