Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight championship, revealing that ongoing complications with his eyes have prevented him from receiving medical clearance to fight.
Aspinall announced the decision in a statement posted to Instagram Monday, saying that an accident while he was preparing to return to competition caused additional damage to his right eye and left the timeline for his comeback uncertain.
“Anything you read in the media is simply noise. People are creating their own narratives,” Aspinall wrote. “This is the truth: Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now.”
The 33-year-old British heavyweight said he had undergone multiple surgeries and dealt with accidents and infections in an effort to return to the Octagon. He had previously agreed to a fight date and resumed sparring before suffering another setback.
“I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye,” Aspinall said. “This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear.”
Aspinall said his decision to relinquish the championship was made in part to avoid holding up the heavyweight division.
“I’ve now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title,” he wrote. “I’ve asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don’t want to hold the heavyweight division up.”
“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,” he added.
Aspinall also addressed questions surrounding his recent silence, saying he had followed the UFC’s guidance while concentrating on his recovery.
“I’ve always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we’ve tried to make this happen,” he wrote.
According to Aspinall, UFC officials have been kept informed throughout the process. He specifically said UFC CEO Dana White and Hunter Campbell, the promotion’s chief business officer, had access to his medical information.
“The UFC and Hunter have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes,” Aspinall said. “We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen, but unfortunately, it’s simply not possible right now.”
The announcement marks another major setback in what has been a difficult period for Aspinall, who became one of the UFC’s most prominent heavyweights after winning the interim championship and later being elevated to undisputed champion.
Despite giving up the belt, Aspinall made it clear that he does not consider his career over.
“I’m absolutely gutted. I’ve chased this dream since I was 10 years old,” he wrote.
“I’m not done.”
Aspinall emphasized that vacating the championship should not be interpreted as a retirement from MMA.
“Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream,” he said. “I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.”
The heavyweight also revealed that some of his current eye problems stem from fouls he suffered during his career, expressing frustration that their consequences continue to affect him.
“What makes this particularly difficult is that many of the complications I’m dealing with are a result of fouls that changed the course of my career,” Aspinall wrote. “Fighters rely on officials to enforce the rules and protect us in those moments, and it’s hard to still be dealing with the consequences today.”
Aspinall concluded by thanking those who have supported him throughout his recovery and vowed to return once he is medically cleared.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this absolute nightmare,” he wrote.
“I’ll be back as soon as I’m medically able to be.”
