Demetrious Johnson thinks it's too risky for Tom Aspinall to continue fighting.
Ongoing complications with his right eye have forced the now former UFC heavyweight champion to vacate his belt. Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) has undergone multiple eye surgeries since getting fouled by Ciryl Gane in their no contest at UFC 321 last October.
As Aspinall was getting ready to rematch Gane, he re-injured his eye in training, which resulted in him not getting medically cleared to fight. Aspinall has vowed to come back, but Johnson suggests it's not worth the risk.
"Do you guys think we'll ever see Tom Aspinall fight again? Logically, deep down in my gut, I would say no," Johnson said on his YouTube channel. "I wouldn't risk the opportunity of me losing
my vision, not being able to see my children. He could potentially lose one eye. I'm thinking worst case scenario.
"I'll be shocked if Tom Aspinall fights again just because when it comes to fighting, when it comes to training, that eye is always going to be in compromise. You could get eye poked in training; you get eye poked in fighting again. Is he willing to take that risk? I wouldn't take that risk, but then again, Tom Aspinall probably has bigger balls than me, and I'm OK with that."
During Aspinall's recovery, Gane (14-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) stopped Alex Pereira by TKO to claim the interim title at UFC Freedom 250 in June. He is now expected to be promoted to undisputed champion.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC legend would be 'shocked' if Tom Aspinall fights again
