TLDR
- Tom Aspinall was stopped at UFC 321 after accidental eye pokes from Ciryl Gane resulted in a no-contest
- Aspinall was diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome and a possible orbital wall fracture
- His eye doctor confirmed he cannot return to training until double vision resolves completely
- Medical reports show impaired vision and restricted eye movement requiring ongoing specialist care
- Jon Jones mocked Aspinall online following the incident, leading to public criticism from the British fighter
Tom Aspinall remains unable to train more than a month after his UFC 321 fight against Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest. The British heavyweight champion suffered severe eye injuries during the October bout when Gane accidentally poked him in both eyes at the end of the first round.
The 32-year-old from Manchester has been diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome. This rare eye disorder affects the superior oblique tendon-trochlear mechanism, which controls eye movement. Medical imaging also revealed a minimally displaced fracture in his right medial orbital wall.
Aspinall’s eye doctor, Dr. Aws Al-Hity, provided an update during a recent episode of the Ariel Helwani Show. He explained that Aspinall cannot return to full contact training until his double vision resolves. The doctor warned that fighting with ongoing vision problems could make things worse or set back his recovery even further.
“The prognosis is guarded at the moment,” Dr. Al-Hity stated. He praised Aspinall’s decision to stop fighting, noting it prevented potentially worse damage. The doctor emphasized that continuing with double vision would prevent Aspinall from performing at his peak level.
Medical Documentation Confirms Severity
Medical reports released by Aspinall show multiple serious issues with his vision. Orthoptic evaluations demonstrated impaired binocular coordination and restricted ocular motility. He suffers from persistent diplopia, which is the medical term for double vision.
His visual acuity has been reduced since the trauma. Automated perimetry tests confirmed marked peripheral visual field impairment. The clinical findings note that this constitutes bilateral ocular trauma requiring ongoing consultant-led management.
Aspinall discussed his situation on the Ariel Helwani Show. “With eyes you’ve got to be careful,” he explained. “They don’t really know when I’m gonna be back. I’m still not even cleared to train.”
The fighter revealed doctors are considering surgery on both eyes. He also mentioned needing an injection in his eyeball soon. His recovery timeline remains uncertain as medical professionals continue to monitor his condition.
Controversy and Public Criticism
The no-contest ruling disappointed fans who had anticipated a decisive championship bout. Some critics accused Aspinall of quitting or exaggerating his injuries. He released his medical documentation to address these doubters.
Sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer reviewed the reports and confirmed the injuries are legitimate. “This is a super-legit thing,” Sutterer said on his YouTube channel. “There’s nothing like, ‘He’s making this up.'”
Sutterer explained the worst-case scenario involves surgery. If Aspinall requires surgical intervention, he will be sidelined for a considerable time. The doctor noted he hoped to see better improvements by now.
Following the incident, Jon Jones began mocking Aspinall on social media. Jones posted sarcastic comments and edited memes about the stoppage. Aspinall responded during an interview, questioning why Jones was focusing on him instead of enjoying retirement.
“I thought this guy was a GOAT,” Aspinall said. “Focus on yourself. Bro, you’re retired. Just do your own thing.” He expressed frustration with Jones’s continued attention on the situation.
Aspinall also criticized UFC leadership for their response to his health decision. He voiced disappointment with CEO Dana White for downplaying his injuries. The fighter insisted athletes should be respected when prioritizing their long-term well-being.
Medical documents confirm Aspinall is not medically cleared for combat activity. Dr. Al-Hity emphasized the importance of allowing proper healing before returning to competition. The rematch with Ciryl Gane remains postponed until Aspinall receives full medical clearance.
