Tom Aspinall is still facing serious vision issues three days after his no-contest fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. His father and coach, Andy Aspinall, shared that Tom’s right eye can’t see anything, and his left eye is very blurry. They’ve done numerous tests in England, and while there are no tears behind the eye, uncertainty remains about Tom’s long-term health.
Andy noted, “Doctors said it’s not good. His right eye still shows only grey images, and the left is struggling.” Tests revealed the muscles in his better eye aren’t working properly. More testing, including a CT scan, is on the agenda to check if the bones are fine.
The bout ended in controversy when Tom was unable to continue due to a double eye poke just before the round ended. This was a historic moment as it marked the first UFC title fight to end in a no-contest for this reason. UFC CEO Dana White has hinted at a rematch with Gane in the future.
Fans and fighters are divided over the event. Some question why Tom couldn’t carry on after a round that might have favored Gane. Others have come to Tom’s defense, highlighting the issue of eye pokes in the sport. Such incidents are frequent, yet there’s little in the way of accountability for those causing them.
Tom’s mood has been affected as well. Andy mentioned, “He’s not happy. He’s been training hard for months and now feels robbed of the chance to compete.” Tom’s journey to this title shot was lengthy, full of waiting and preparations, leaving him frustrated at the unexpected turn of events.
Adding to this discussion, a recent survey by FightSport found that nearly 70% of MMA fans believe eye pokes should carry harsher penalties. This trend indicates a growing concern within the community, reflecting the prevalent frustration over how such fouls impact fighters’ careers.
As they navigate this challenging time, Tom’s family remains hopeful for his recovery. For now, they wait and see what the future holds.
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Tom Aspinall, UFC
