UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall says his eye injury is healing well and he is moving closer to a return to training and fighting.
Eye injury update
Aspinall suffered eye-pokes during his first title defense against Ciryl Gane last year. He told fans in a video on his YouTube channel that he just left the eye hospital after a scan and that the results are very positive.
He said medical staff expect to clear him for contact soon if his recovery keeps going the same way. For now he is back in the gym and training but has not started sparring yet.
Training and recovery
Aspinall is focused on getting fully healthy before taking another fight. He repeated that his health is the top priority. He said he is motivated and looking forward to getting back into full training and competition.
For fans, the good news is that he is already doing gym work and not just resting. He hopes the next medical checks will allow him to return to contact training soon.
Road to a comeback: Pereira vs. Gane
Aspinall also made clear that his next fight depends on the winner of the upcoming interim heavyweight title bout. The interim fight is between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. That match is scheduled as the co-main event of the UFC: White House event on June 14.
The UFC, Aspinall said, has told him he will fight the winner of that interim title fight. So, once he is cleared and healthy, the plan is to face the interim champion to unify the title.
Timeline and what fans can expect
There is a short wait for the Pereira vs. Gane result on June 14. If Aspinall’s eye continues to heal well, his team expects a return in the second half of 2026. That timing depends on two things: his medical clearance and the condition of the interim title winner after the June fight.
Aspinall’s message to fans was simple: get healthy, get fighting. He said he feels motivated and is looking forward to getting back in the Octagon.
Report by UFCcoverage.
