UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is set to have surgery on the severe eye injury he suffered during his UFC 321 title fight against Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi last October. The 32-year-old Briton described the injury as a “nightmare,” highlighting the challenges of recovering from traumatic eye damage in mixed martial arts.

The Injury at UFC 321

During the first round of his first title defense, Aspinall was accidentally poked in both eyes by Frenchman Ciryl Gane. Despite a lengthy medical timeout, Aspinall was unable to continue, and the bout was ruled a no contest.

Aspinall revealed that he suffered traumatic bilateral Brown’s syndrome and persistent double vision following the fight. The injury has prevented him from fully returning to competition since, with surgery now required to correct the damage, particularly to his right eye.

“It’s been a bit of a long process because with other injuries they fix them straight away. But with eyes, because it’s obviously risky, they try and let them heal naturally. So we’re getting surgery. It will keep me out for a little bit… It’s been a slow process—a nightmare, to be honest,” Aspinall said in a video posted on Paddy Pimblett’s YouTube channel.

Controversy Over Eye Pokes

Although referee Jason Herzog ruled Gane’s initial eye poke accidental, Aspinall stated he was struck three times in the same round, leading to frustration over the fight’s officiating.

“Three times he did it in one round. The points deduction should be sacked off. First one is an accident; second one is on purpose,” Aspinall said.

The incident has reignited discussions around eye poke rules, fighter safety, and refereeing in the UFC, particularly in high-stakes title fights.

Aspinall’s Career and Recovery

Since winning the interim UFC heavyweight title by defeating Sergei Pavlovich in November 2023, Aspinall has fought only twice, with the eye injury significantly impacting his activity in the octagon. Known for his technical striking and grappling prowess, Aspinall remains one of the most promising British MMA fighters in the heavyweight division.

The upcoming surgery marks a critical step in his recovery, though the timeline for his return to competition remains uncertain. Fans and analysts will closely monitor his rehabilitation process as he aims to resume defending his title safely and effectively.