UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has been sidelined for the past seven months unable to spar after suffering injuries to both of his eyes during the UFC 321 main event last October. Aspinall was poked in both eyes by challenger Ciryl Gane and was unable to continue. The fight was ruled a no contest. He’s dealt with double vision and other sight issues but received positive news after a recent eye scan.
“I’m just on route back from the eye hospital. I’ve had a scan and things are progressing f**king nicely, which I’m very happy about,” Aspinall said in a video posted to his YouTube channel.
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“They’re saying pretty soon, things keep rolling in the right direction, I will be cleared for contact. I’m back in the gym. I am back training. No sparring just yet. But if things keep going the way they’re going, we are back.”
In his absence, the fight promotion opted to crown an interim champion until Aspinall can return. Gane faces former two-division champion Alex Pereira in the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event on June 14 at the White House. Aspinall awaits the winner.
“Everyone keeps asking when I’m going to fight. The obvious answer is the other two guys, Alex and Ciryl have to fight for the interim title. I’m obviously going to fight the winner. The UFC have told me that I’m fighting the winner,” Aspinall said.
“First and foremost, I have to get my health right, which it’s on the right track. I have to wait for that to be done and we fight the winner. Simple as that,” continued the champion.
“The goal is get fighting again. Get healthy, get fighting, and we are on the way to both. So, I’m very happy with that … I’m motivated and looking forward to getting back.”
