Aspinall Must Pass Eye Tests Before UFC Return

Tom Aspinall must complete additional eye tests before he can return to the Octagon, according to Eddie Hearn.

The UFC heavyweight champion has not fought since October 2025, when a double eye poke from Ciryl Gane ended their UFC 321 main event in a no contest. Aspinall underwent multiple surgeries in the months that followed to repair the damage, and Hearn told Bloody Elbow that commission clearance remains the final hurdle, per MMA Fighting.

When Will Aspinall Be Cleared To Fight Again

Hearn, who represents Aspinall through Matchroom's talent agency, said the fighter is training and motivated but needs to satisfy medical requirements before any bout can be booked. "It all depends whether he'll be ready," Hearn said. "I think he's gonna have to go through some additional testing to make sure he's good to return, but he wants to fight."

The promoter added that the severity of the injuries is evident from the ongoing commission scrutiny. "If the commission won't let him fight, you know how serious the injuries were," he said.

Gane has since won the interim heavyweight title with a second-round stoppage of Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250. A unification bout between Aspinall and Gane is the logical next step once the champion receives medical clearance to compete.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Tom Aspinall must undergo more eye tests before returning, says Eddie Hearn: “It all depends whether he’ll be ready”