Aspinall Vacates UFC Heavyweight Title After Eye Complications

Tom Aspinall has relinquished the UFC heavyweight championship after nearly a year of complications from an eye injury that has prevented him from securing medical clearance to fight.

The British fighter has been out of action since his October bout with Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest following an accidental eye poke that struck both eyes. Multiple surgeries and infections have followed, according to a statement Aspinall posted on Instagram this week, per Sherdog.

Aspinall's Decision To Step Aside

Aspinall wrote that he had agreed to a fight date and returned to sparring before another accident caused additional damage to his right eye. "Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now," he wrote. "I've had multiple surgeries, accidents, and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing."

Rather than continue to stall the division, Aspinall said he asked the UFC to let him announce the decision himself. "I don't want to hold the heavyweight division up," he wrote. "I know what it's like to have your career put on hold, and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title."

Aspinall made clear he plans to return once medically able, calling the ordeal an "absolute nightmare". The UFC has not yet announced plans for the vacant title.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title amid ongoing eye issues