Overview
- Eddie Hearn said in early September 2026 that Aspinall still needs additional eye testing and formal clearance from an athletic commission before he can be medically cleared to fight.
- The champion’s injuries trace to an eye poke by Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October 2025 that produced double vision and led to multiple surgeries.
- Aspinall has returned to training and is described as motivated to fight, and he has publicly denied reports that he is leaving the UFC while remaining under contract.
- A unification bout with interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane is the expected next fight once Aspinall is cleared, with media linking a possible return to UFC 334 on November 14 as an unconfirmed option.
- The athletic commission’s decision will determine timing and could reshape late-2026 UFC plans while keeping a spotlight on the promoter and management tensions that followed Aspinall’s Matchroom signing.