Tom Aspinall Vacates UFC Title After Infections, Surgeries and 'Complications with My Eye'

Tom Aspinall Vacates UFC Title After Infections, Surgeries and 'Complications with My Eye'

Joseph ZuckerSep 14, 2026

Tom Aspinall announced Monday he vacated the UFC heavyweight title due to "ongoing complications with my eyes."

"I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye," he said. "This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear."

Aspinall said that uncertainty left him with no other choice.

"I've now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title," he said. "I've asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don't want to hold the heavyweight division up. I know what it's like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title."

Aspinall fought Ciryl Gane to a no contest at UFC 321 last October. The fight ended in the first round after Gane inadvertently poked him in the eye.

Uncrowned's Petesy Carroll reported in February that Aspinall was continuing to have trouble with his vision. He "can't track moving targets" and "struggles to do the most basic dr...