Tom Aspinall, the rising British heavyweight and UFC star, is facing an uncertain future in the octagon after being diagnosed with a rare eye condition sustained during his UFC 321 title defence against Ciryl Gane. The 32-year-old fighter, who has lost only once in his professional career, suffered a significant injury more than a month ago in Abu Dhabi, and specialists have yet to clear him for combat activity.
The injury occurred late in the first round when Gane, the French contender, accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes while attempting a punch. The damage forced the fight to end prematurely, with the bout officially ruled a no-contest. Aspinall retained his heavyweight title but walked away from the cage with a serious medical issue that could affect the remainder of his career.
In a medical report shared by Aspinall on Instagram, he revealed he has been diagnosed with “significant traumatic bilateral Brown’s syndrome,” a condition that limits upward eye movement, particularly when looking inward. The report also noted persistent double vision, reduced eye motility, impaired visual function, and substantial field loss. Specialist treatment is ongoing, and he has not yet been cleared to resume MMA training or competition.
Aspinall spoke candidly about the injury on his YouTube channel, emphasizing that he is following his doctors’ advice and taking no risks with his health. “We’ve got to see how it goes over the next few weeks. Obviously that’s down to the specialists and stuff, but I’m not in the gym training at the moment,” he said. “I’m not doing anything MMA-wise right now. I’m just following the doctor’s orders and seeing what happens with the health.”
The report outlined potential next steps depending on his clinical progression, including targeted periocular steroid injections or surgical intervention if motility impairment persists. This means that Aspinall’s return to the octagon could be delayed further, depending on how his recovery progresses.
The incident has also reignited discussions about fighter safety in the UFC, particularly concerning eye pokes. Veteran referee Herb Dean suggested that officials will more regularly enforce point deductions for accidental eye pokes following the Aspinall-Gane bout. During UFC 321, referee Jason Herzog ruled the fight a no-contest rather than disqualifying Gane, judging the foul accidental rather than intentional. Had it been classified as intentional, Aspinall would have secured a win by disqualification.
Aspinall, determined to return stronger, remains focused on the prospect of a rematch with Gane once fully recovered. “I’m obviously very keen to get back and beat this guy up,” he said. “But I’ve got to be 100% right. So whenever the eye’s good to go, that’s when I’ll do it.”
The UFC has made previous attempts to reduce the risk of eye injuries, notably redesigning their fingerless gloves in June 2024 to prevent eye pokes, cuts, and hand injuries. However, in November 2024, the promotion reverted to the original glove design, which had been largely unchanged since becoming mandatory in 1997. Aspinall’s injury highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing fighter safety with the intense, close-quarters nature of MMA.
As he focuses on his recovery, fans and fellow fighters will be closely monitoring Aspinall’s progress. The severity of his condition, along with the potential need for surgery, means the path back to the octagon could be long and cautious. However, his determination to return and reclaim his dominance in the heavyweight division remains undiminished.
With his career on hold and a high-profile rematch with Gane looming in the future, Aspinall’s resilience and commitment to recovery will be key in defining the next chapter of his UFC journey. Until then, the British heavyweight will focus on rehabilitation and specialist treatment, ensuring that when he finally steps back into the cage, it will be with his full health and vision intact.
