UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is preparing for a comeback following an eye injury sustained during his October title defense against Ciryl Gane. Despite the unclear timeline for his full recovery, Aspinall’s training partner Modestas Bukauskas has declared that the fighter will return as the “most dangerous” version of himself.
Details of the Injury and Impact on Training
The injury occurred when Aspinall suffered an accidental eye poke in the match with Gane, leading to persistent double vision and medical treatments. This forced the bout to be declared a no-contest. Bukauskas described the situation as difficult, noting that the injury prevented them from training together ahead of his own fight at UFC 324, where he was defeated by Nikita Krylov.
When he comes back expect to see the most dangerous Tom Aspinall you’ve ever seen,
said Bukauskas, according to BBC Sport.
He’s an incredible athlete, an incredible person and this is only going to make him that much sharper and better. Heavyweight division, watch out.
Tom’s dealing with that really horrible eye injury. I feel really bad for him because he’s looking at potentially getting surgery and his eyes still aren’t 100%,
Bukauskas added. He also mentioned staying in contact with Aspinall during the recovery process:
I’ve been keeping tabs, sending messages here and there to [check] how he’s doing,
he said.
Questions Loom Over Aspinall’s Future in the UFC
Aspinall had claimed the undisputed heavyweight title after Jon Jones retired and he was elevated from interim champion. However, since the injury, uncertainty about whether he will compete again has grown. Joe Rogan publicly questioned if Aspinall’s fighting career might be over.
UFC president Dana White initially suggested that Aspinall chose to stop the fight, though he later clarified those remarks. White has been reluctant to provide detailed updates on the champion’s condition, stating:
Don’t let me talk about Tom Aspinall’s eye,
and,
Apparently he’s going in for a second surgery, or he’s just had it. And by surgery, I mean injections. I have no idea.
Aspinall responded to this commentary on his YouTube channel with frustration, saying,
I didn’t even fight last night. I’m catching strays in my living room on a Sunday morning,
expressing his displeasure over the misinformation.
Prospects for a Rematch and the Champion’s Recovery
Although White has expressed interest in arranging a rematch between Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, the date of Aspinall’s return remains unknown as he continues to recover from his eye injury. The circumstances surrounding his recovery and potential treatments will heavily influence when and if he steps back into the octagon.
The heavyweight division awaits to see how the “most dangerous Tom Aspinall” will perform upon his return, with many questioning how the injury and recovery might affect the champion’s career trajectory and the landscape of UFC’s heavyweight contests going forward.
