Tom Aspinall is no longer the UFC heavyweight champion.
The 33-year-old fighter announced Monday his decision to vacate the title after attempting to start training for a fight but suffering another injury to his right eye caused by “an accident” in training.
“Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now,” Aspinall wrote in a statement posted on social media. “I’ve had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back
to competing.”
Aspinall hasn’t fought since October of 2025, when his clash with Ciryl Gane was ruled a no-contest due to eye pokes. Aspinall revealed he recently agreed to a fight date but further injuries to his eye will force him more time in the sidelines, and “the timing of my return is unclear.”
“I’ve now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title,” Aspinall wrote. “I’ve asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don’t want to hold the heavyweight division up. I know what it’s like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title.
“The UFC and Hunter [Campbell] have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes. We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen, but unfortunately, it’s simply not possible right now.”
Aspinall has only lost once in 10 UFC appearances and was on a three-fight finishing streak against Marcin Tybura, Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes, all in under 80 seconds, prior to the Gane no-contest.
The UFC has yet to announce what’s next in the division. Gane, who was given another shot at the title with Aspinall’s delayed return and knocked out Alex Pereira on the UFC White House card to claim the interim belt, will likely be promoted to undisputed champion.
“I’m absolutely gutted. I’ve chased this dream since I was 10 years old,” Aspinall wrote. “I’m not done. Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.
“What makes this particularly difficult is that many of the complications I’m dealing with are a result of fouls that changed the course of my career. Fighters rely on officials to enforce the rules and protect us in those moments, and it’s hard to still be dealing with the consequences today.”
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this absolute nightmare,” he added. “I’ll be back as soon as I’m medically able to be.”
Aspinall also announced he will be “stepping away from social media and letting my media team handle things for the foreseeable future while I focus on getting medically cleared to fight.”
Read Aspinall’s full statement below.
Anything you read in the media is simply noise. People are creating their own narratives. This is the truth:
Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now.
I’ve had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing.
I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye. This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear.
I know there have been questions about why I’ve been quiet. I’ve always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we’ve tried to make this happen.
I’ve now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title. I’ve asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don’t want to hold the heavyweight division up. I know what it’s like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title.
The UFC and Hunter have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes. We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen, but unfortunately, it’s simply not possible right now.
I’m absolutely gutted. I’ve chased this dream since I was 10 years old.
I’m not done.
Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.
What makes this particularly difficult is that many of the complications I’m dealing with are a result of fouls that changed the course of my career. Fighters rely on officials to enforce the rules and protect us in those moments, and it’s hard to still be dealing with the consequences today.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this absolute nightmare.
I’ll be back as soon as I’m medically able to be.
Tom
