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▲ Tom Aspinall in pain after being poked in the eye by Ciryl Gane’s outstretched finger.
[SPOTV News=Reporter Kim Geon-il] UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall looks set to delay his return to the Octagon again after suffering serious injuries to both eyes. Aspinall continues to question whether his opponent, Ciryl Gane, acted intentionally.
Aspinall has not fought since his first title defense in October of last year.
Facing France’s Ciryl Gane, Aspinall could not continue after a “double eye poke” near the end of the opening round, and the bout was ruled a no contest. Because Gane had largely controlled the fight before it was stopped, some observers wondered whether Aspinall’s injuries were being overstated.
Aspinall, who reported damage to both eyes, underwent surgery in February. Earlier this month he seemed close to returning to full training, but recent tests have altered that timeline.
Aspinall detailed his current condition on the Fight Your Corner podcast.
He said he recently had scans and expected to be cleared to spar and compete right away, but the medical team told him he needs about two more months.
“Eye tissue can take longer to heal,” he said, adding that he’ll return the moment he’s fully recovered.
At best, a comeback late this year is the realistic scenario. His likely opponent would be the winner of next month’s interim heavyweight title fight between Gane and Alex Pereira.
Gane drew criticism in last year’s fight for repeatedly attacking with his fingers extended. He has strongly denied any intentional eye-poking.
Still, Aspinall hasn’t dropped his suspicions.
▲ UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall undergoing medical checks ⓒ Tom Aspinall YouTube
In interviews with local outlets, Aspinall said, “I don’t think Gane is a bad person,” but added, “I can’t understand how getting my eyes poked three times in four minutes could be an accident.”
“I know exactly what I’m doing when I fight,” he said. “Accidents rarely happen in a match. The same action being repeated makes it hard to believe it wasn’t deliberate.”
He stressed he’s not trying to demonize Gane, but reiterated that he can’t see how the incidents could be mere mistakes from a physical standpoint.
At 32, Aspinall is regarded as one of the most dangerous finishers in the UFC heavyweight division. But an unexpected injury just after claiming the title has put him through the biggest crisis of his career to date.
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