Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title due to ongoing eye issues

Tom Aspinall has announced that he is vacating the UFC heavyweight title after ongoing complications with his eyes left him unable to receive medical clearance. He said he intends to return when medically able.

Tom Aspinall has announced that he is vacating the UFC heavyweight title because ongoing complications with his eyes mean he cannot currently receive medical clearance to fight.

In a statement on Instagram, Aspinall said he had undergone multiple surgeries and experienced accidents and infections related to his eye problems. He said that, after agreeing to a fight date and resuming sparring, a further accident caused additional damage to his right eye.

Aspinall said his return timeline is unclear, but stressed that he is not retiring and intends to return when he is medically able. He said he chose to vacate the belt rather than hold up the heavyweight division, giving other fighters the opportunity to compete for it.

The complications followed his 25 October 2025 bout with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. The main event was ruled a no contest after an accidental eye poke left Aspinall unable to continue.

Aspinall's statement confirms that he has vacated the title. It does not confirm whether Gane has become the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.