URGENT UPDATE: UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is facing serious complications after suffering an eye injury during his first title defense at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night. Aspinall was unable to continue the fight against Ciryl Gane after an accidental eye poke left him in severe pain.
Aspinall, who had been eagerly awaiting his return to the Octagon for over a year, reported his inability to see clearly after the incident, telling the referee, “I can’t see.” The fight was stopped just four and a half minutes into the first round, leading to a heartbreaking end for the British champion.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel following his hospital visit, Aspinall revealed the severity of his injury, stating, “He poked me in both. He went near-enough knuckle deep. I could feel how deep it was in my eye.” The doctor confirmed that initial tests showed no serious damage, but further examinations are required in the UK, leaving Aspinall’s future in doubt.
“It puts everything into perspective. It’s a dangerous sport,” Aspinall expressed. “It was way scarier than what I did to my knee.”
His father and trainer, Andy Aspinall, echoed his concerns, emphasizing the potential risks of eye pokes in the sport. “I’m not annoyed. The only thing I ever want is for him to come out of our fights alright,” he said, reflecting on the dangers fighters face. “If it was your son, and they could lose an eye, by someone who constantly pokes eyes… It’s horrendous for me to look at.”
As the MMA community rallies around Aspinall, UFC president Dana White is keen to rebook the match against Gane, although no specific timeline has been established for Aspinall’s return. Fans are left wondering how this injury will impact the heavyweight division, especially with rising stars like Jon Jones and Alex Pereira calling for high-profile bouts.
The emotional toll of the incident is palpable, with Aspinall admitting that he feels pain in his “good eye” as well. “It feels like someone has touched the back of my eyeball,” he lamented, highlighting the physical and psychological strain of the sport.
As updates continue to emerge, the MMA world waits with bated breath for news on Aspinall’s condition and his potential return to the Octagon. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks fighters take every time they step into the ring.