The heavyweight division will move on without Tom Aspinall as champion.
Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has decided to relinquish his UFC title after he's yet to be medically cleared. Aspinall hasn't competed since getting poked in the eyes in his no contest against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last October.
He has since underwent numerous eye surgeries, but as soon as he was gearing up to fight again, another accident further delayed his return. The disappointed 33-year-old opened up on what happened, and has every intention of coming back.
"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."
While Aspinall was recovering, Ciryl Gane (14-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) finished Alex Pereira (13-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) by Round 2 TKO to claim the interim title at UFC Freedom 250 in June. With rumors of Aspinall being unable to compete, Pereira has been campaigning for a rematch.
Gane is now expected to be upgraded to undisputed champion.
UFC nor Gane have issued a statement in the wake of Aspinall's announcement.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Tom Aspinall vacates UFC title after 'ongoing complications' with his eyes
