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UFC Considers Stripping Aspinall of Heavyweight Title Amid Eye Injury Concerns
Confirmed
In Short: UFC president Dana White is exploring whether to strip Tom Aspinall of his heavyweight title due to his ongoing eye issues, as the British fighter approaches a year since his last fight.
UFC president Dana White is considering stripping Tom Aspinall of his heavyweight title due to his ongoing eye issues, as the British fighter approaches a year since his last fight. Aspinall, who has not competed since October 2025 after sustaining a serious eye injury against Ciryl Gane, is currently in the midst of discussions with the UFC over his title status.
According to reports, Aspinall has a professional MMA record of 15 wins, three defeats, and one no-contest. His last fight ended in a no-contest after he suffered an eye injury during the first round of his UFC 321 main event with Gane. Aspinall was later diagnosed with a rare eye condition and underwent multiple surgeries.
Aspinall has been back in full training for a rematch with Gane, who is now the interim heavyweight champion after defeating Alex Pereira at the White House. However, Aspinall's return date remains uncertain, and the UFC is exploring interim solutions to allow other contenders to move forward while Aspinall recovers.
What's confirmed
- UFC president Dana White is considering stripping Tom Aspinall of his heavyweight title due to his ongoing eye issues, as the British fighter approaches a year since his last fight. Aspinall, who has not competed since October 2025 after sustaining a serious eye injury against Ciryl Gane, is currently in the midst of discussions with the UFC over his title status.
- According to reports, Aspinall has a professional MMA record of 15 wins, three defeats, and one no-contest. His last fight ended in a no-contest after he suffered an eye injury during the first round of his UFC 321 main event with Gane. Aspinall was later diagnosed with a rare eye condition and underwent multiple surgeries.
- Aspinall has been back in full training for a rematch with Gane, who is now the interim heavyweight champion after defeating Alex Pereira at the White House. However, Aspinall's return date remains uncertain, and the UFC is exploring interim solutions to allow other contenders to move forward while Aspinall recovers.
What's still developing
- After repeated eye pokes from Gane, Aspinall was unable to continue and was subsequently diagnosed with a rare eye condition and had persistent double vision before having surgery.
- Earlier this month, UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko vacated her title because of persistent injuries.
- White was asked whether he thought that Aspinall should consider doing the same, or whether any discussions had taken place about stripping him of the title.
- Watch the direct interview below: Cejudo initially called for Aspinall to return, but immediately acknowledged the seriousness of eye damage by comparing the situation with his own experience.
- Henry Cejudo wants Tom Aspinall to vacate the UFC heavyweight title while his injured eye continues to recover.
- An accidental double eye poke left Aspinall unable to continue at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
- After Bohn raised the possibility of Aspinall relinquishing the belt during recovery, Cejudo endorsed that path and proposed a route to an undisputed title fight.
- Give up the title and let your eye recover and that's it.