UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall remains unable to see out of his right eye three days after an accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane ended their title fight in a no-contest, according to a concerning update from his father. The injury has cast doubt on Aspinall’s immediate fighting future and sparked debate within the MMA community.
During the first round of UFC 321 on October 25, 2025, Aspinall and Gane engaged in a heated exchange that resulted in Gane accidentally poking both of Aspinall’s eyes. The foul occurred towards the end of the round, and despite the standard five-minute recovery period, Aspinall was unable to continue due to impaired vision. This led to the fight being ruled a no-contest, the first such outcome in UFC title fight history, leaving fans and officials disappointed.
Andy Aspinall, Tom’s father and head coach, provided a detailed health update on October 28 via the fighter’s YouTube channel. He revealed that his son’s right eye is completely non-functional, describing it as seeing only “gray,” while his left eye is severely blurry, reducing vision to approximately 50%. Doctors tested Aspinall on eye charts, and he could not identify any letters with his right eye and only a few with his left, indicating significant visual impairment.
Medical examinations have so far ruled out bone damage to the eye area, but Aspinall is undergoing further tests this week to assess the extent of the injury and potential long-term effects. The team is hopeful for recovery but acknowledges the possibility of permanent damage, which could impact Aspinall’s career. The uncertainty has added to the emotional toll on the champion, who is reportedly in a “foul mood” and frustrated by the situation.
Aspinall’s father expressed that his son is taking the no-contest result particularly hard, especially after years of preparation, including short-notice fights and serving as a backup fighter. The emotional strain is affecting his home life, as he feels the culmination of his efforts was cut short by the foul. Despite this, the focus remains on his health and recovery rather than immediate fighting plans.
Online criticism has emerged from some fighters and fans questioning the severity of the injury and Aspinall’s decision not to continue. However, Andy Aspinall defended his son, stating that fighting without vision is too dangerous and dismissing the chatter as attention-seeking or monetization attempts. He emphasized that the real concern is Aspinall’s well-being and the lack of consequences for Gane, who committed the foul.
UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that the promotion intends to rebook the matchup between Aspinall and Gane once Aspinall recovers. However, no timeline has been set, as it depends on the outcome of the medical tests and Aspinall’s ability to train and compete safely. The rematch is eagerly anticipated to resolve the heavyweight title picture, but it hinges on Aspinall’s full recovery.
The incident underscores the inherent risks in mixed martial arts and may prompt discussions on fighter safety and rule enforcement. As the MMA world awaits further updates, Aspinall’s condition serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional challenges athletes face, with his future in the sport hanging in the balance until his vision is restored.