UPDATE: UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is facing serious vision issues following a catastrophic eye poke during his title fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last weekend. Aspinall, aged 32, was rushed to the hospital after the incident occurred in the first round of the bout, which ended up being ruled the first no-contest in UFC title fight history.
In a troubling video released on Aspinall’s YouTube channel, his father and head coach, Andy Aspinall, revealed alarming details about his son’s condition. “It’s not good,” Andy stated. “His right eye, he can’t see anything. It’s just gray. [Doctors] tested him on words, and he just couldn’t see anything. His left eye is 50 percent. It went about four letters down the chart, and then he couldn’t see letters. So, one is really, really blurry — and one is not working.”
Authorities confirmed that the eye poke occurred during an exchange in the first round, leading to Aspinall’s inability to continue. The UFC is currently in discussions to rebook the match between Aspinall and Gane, according to UFC CEO Dana White. However, a new date for the fight remains uncertain as Aspinall’s team awaits further medical evaluations.
Andy Aspinall told ESPN on Sunday that doctors have confirmed there is no bone damage in the affected area, but they are proceeding with additional tests this week to ascertain the full impact of the injury. “Hopefully it will be alright,” Andy expressed. “But it might not be.”
The news has sent shockwaves throughout the MMA community, with fans and analysts alike concerned for Aspinall’s future in the sport. The heavyweight division, already in disarray, faces further uncertainty as this incident unfolds.
As the situation develops, fans are left anxiously awaiting updates on Aspinall’s recovery and the potential timeline for a rematch with Gane. The urgency of his condition and the importance of this upcoming fight make it a focal point for the MMA world.
Stay tuned for more updates as we monitor this evolving story surrounding Tom Aspinall’s health and his future in the UFC.
