UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has delivered a concerning health update, revealing he has been diagnosed with a rare eye condition following his controversial bout with Ciryl Gane.
A Career-Threatening Diagnosis
The British fighter, who faced Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi back in October 2025, suffered a brutal poke to both eyes during the contest, which was ruled a No Contest. Aspinall was rushed to hospital and has since undergone extensive testing.
In a recent post on his official Instagram, the 32-year-old from Wigan disclosed he has been diagnosed with "significant traumatic bilateral Brown's syndrome." This is a severe condition where the eye cannot move upwards, particularly when looking inward. Aspinall confirmed he is still suffering from persistent double vision.
The Medical Details of the Injury
A detailed clinical description of his diagnosis outlines the severity. It states the injury caused a "significant disruption to the superior oblique tendon-trochlear complex." Aspinall's symptoms include blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and a marked restriction in eye movement.
Despite advanced imaging like CT and MRI scans, doctors have found "no definitive structural explanation" for the degree of functional vision loss he is experiencing. This complexity has left his fighting future uncertain.
"I'm not in the gym training at the moment. I'm not doing anything MMA wise," Aspinall stated in a YouTube video. "I've got to be 100 per cent right. So whenever the eye's good to go, that's when I'll do it." He is currently following medical advice with no timeline for a return.
UFC Faces Pressure to Change Rules
The shocking injury has intensified calls for the UFC to reform its rules on eye pokes. Veteran referee Herb Dean recently announced that officials will now enforce stricter penalties.
Speaking on Michael Bisping's podcast, Dean explained that extending fingers towards an opponent's eyes is already a foul, but it hasn't been consistently penalised. "We're going to move forward on that," he said, indicating points will be deducted for dangerous actions before they cause injury, not just after.
This incident has also reignited debate about UFC glove design. The promotion briefly trialled a new glove model to reduce eye pokes but reverted to the original style after fighter complaints about comfort.
The focus now remains on Tom Aspinall's recovery. As the undisputed champion prioritises his long-term health, the MMA world awaits news on whether he can make a full return to the octagon.
