Alexander Volkanovski publicly acknowledged his struggle with a continuing eye injury, sharing details about the difficulties he faces. The UFC featherweight champion spoke out amid increased attention on eye injuries in MMA, highlighting how even minor damage can have serious consequences. His comments come as the sport grapples with the fallout from recent high-profile cases involving eye trauma.
Eye injuries have gained widespread attention since the UFC 321 bout in October, when heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s fight against Ciryl Gane ended prematurely due to eye pokes suffered during the first round. Aspinall was forced to withdraw, sparking controversy and skepticism from fans and fellow fighters who questioned whether he was exaggerating the injury.
Volkanovski Defends Tom Aspinall and Explains Eye Injury Severity
In a recent YouTube video, Volkanovski stepped forward to support Aspinall against critics, drawing from his own experience with eye trauma. He emphasized how subtle damage can still significantly affect a fighter’s vision and safety inside the cage.
“I think everyone’s being pretty harsh on him,”
Volkanovski said in defense of Aspinall.
He described his own complications following his bout with Diego Lopes at UFC 314 in April 2025, noting that his eye issues have persisted since that fight.
“Simple retina tears can be a big problem,”
he explained.
“The knuckle went in the eye, not much in it. This stuff can mess with you. I still see flashes on the sides of my eyes. I’m giving you too much information here, but I’m still seeing flashes all the time.”
Volkanovski stressed that appearances can be deceiving regarding eye injuries—just because the eye looks fine and vision remains intact doesn’t mean the risk has passed.
“You could have issues, and you could be one hit away from losing your vision.”
Tom Aspinall’s Progress and the Importance of Caution
Tom Aspinall recently underwent surgery to repair the eye damage he sustained during his fight with Ciryl Gane. The timeline for his return and ability to defend his heavyweight title remains uncertain, underscoring the caution medical professionals must exercise in such cases.
Volkanovski acknowledged the frustration fans feel about the unknown future but reinforced the priority of a fighter’s health above all else.
“Real doctors are gonna have a close look at it and wanna protect someone’s eye because they don’t want them to lose vision forever,”
the featherweight champion said.
He added,
“They are probably gonna have real protocols and be like, ‘No, you’re not fighting until we get this properly sorted.’ That’s a very reasonable situation, and most likely the situation that is happening.”
“So, I think I’m feeling for Tom a little bit there.”
The Broader Impact of Eye Injuries in MMA
Volkanovski’s revelation sheds light on a critical but sometimes overlooked aspect of fighter safety, especially in a sport where vision is essential for performance and survival. His support for Aspinall reflects a growing awareness among top fighters about the serious implications of such injuries. Moving forward, this increased attention may prompt stricter medical protocols and more cautious recovery periods for athletes suffering similar damage.
As Volkanovski continues to manage his own eye-related challenges, the MMA community will be watching closely to see how both he and Aspinall navigate their recoveries, influencing standards for protecting fighters’ health on a wider scale.
