Overview
- On Monday, September 14, Tom Aspinall posted that ongoing complications from eye injuries mean he cannot get medically cleared to fight and so has relinquished the UFC heavyweight title.
- Aspinall said the damage began with double eye pokes by Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October 2025, led to multiple surgeries and infections, and was worsened by a training incident that set back his comeback plans.
- He stressed he is not retiring and will keep pursuing treatment and clearance, while the UFC and its officials have been kept informed of his tests and medical updates.
- Ciryl Gane, who won the interim heavyweight belt in June, is now widely expected to be elevated to undisputed champion or to fight for the vacant title in a matchup the UFC will announce next.
- Beyond the belt change, Aspinall’s statement renews questions about in‑fight officiating and the medical process for clearing fighters after eye trauma, and it leaves open the prospect of an immediate title shot if he is later cleared to return.