Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight championship after reinjuring eye on September 14
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall announced on September 14 that he vacated the title due to a reinjured right eye sustained during training. Aspinall has been sidelined since suffering eye injuries from Ciryl Gane's eye pokes at UFC 321 in October 2025, and cited ongoing medical complications that prevent him from obtaining clearance to compete.
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall vacated the title on Monday, September 14, after reinjuring his right eye during training. According to CBS Sports, Aspinall cited ongoing medical complications that prevent him from obtaining clearance to compete.
Aspinall has been out of action since October 2025, when Ciryl Gane's eye pokes damaged his eyes during their UFC 321 bout. The champion reported having undergone multiple surgeries, accidents, and infections related to that initial injury. He had been cleared to return and was back sparring before the recent training accident caused further damage.
In a statement, per CBS Sports, Aspinall said: "Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now." He also stated: "I'm absolutely gutted. I've chased this dream since I was 10 years old. I'm not done." Aspinall requested permission to make his own announcement rather than have the UFC announce the vacancy.
The title vacatur leaves the heavyweight division in flux. Ciryl Gane holds the interim championship after defeating Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250, his only fight since facing Aspinall. Gane had previously come up short in three bids to win the undisputed heavyweight championship before his current interim reign.
Aspinall's injury history includes a knee injury suffered 15 seconds into a July 2022 bout with Curtis Blaydes that sidelined him for a full year. He won the interim heavyweight championship in July 2024 with a knockout of Curtis Blaydes in their rematch, then was promoted to undisputed champion after Jon Jones vacated the title and entered retirement.
Aspinall has not provided a timeline for his possible return to competition.
Aspinall vacated the heavyweight title on September 14 after reinjuring his right eye during training, citing medical complications that prevent him from getting cleared to fight.
Ciryl Gane's path to undisputed champion status now stands clear, with the interim titleholder the presumptive favorite for the vacant belt. Aspinall's medical clearance and return date will determine whether he can reclaim the title or his career trajectory shifts permanently.
The score is a fact. The story gets checked.
Sources
Single-source report. As published, only CBS Sports had reported this development. No independent outlet had corroborated it.
Also reported by Bloody Elbow, Cageside Press, FightNews, BBC. Independent coverage of the same development, found by search; not this story's sources.
GoCheckMySports reports events. It never advises bets. Nothing here is betting or gambling advice.