ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 25: Tom Aspinall of England prepares to face Ciryl Gane of France in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 321 event at Etihad Arena on October 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Tom Aspinall announced late Sunday night that he has officially vacated his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight title because of the ongoing complications stemming from the brutal eye injuries he suffered against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Oct. 2025. Even worse, Aspinall revealed that he was seemingly closing in on his long-awaited return and had agreed to a fight date before another accident caused further damage to his right eye. “Anything you read in the media is simply noise. People are creating their own narratives. This is the truth: Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now,” Aspinall wrote in a lengthy statement. “I’ve had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing,” he continued. “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. This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear.” With no timetable for when doctors will clear him, Aspinall has decided against holding up the Heavyweight division. “I’ve now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title,” Aspinall 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.” The announcement comes just one day after UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the promotion planned to discuss Aspinall’s championship status. “We’ll definitely be talking about that,” White said during the Zuffa Boxing post-fight press conference. “Valentina doesn’t want to tie up the division, and I’m assuming Tom feels the same way. I don’t know personally where he is health-wise with everything, but we should clear that up soon.” Well, it’s cleared up. Aspinall has not competed since his first undisputed Heavyweight title defense against Gane at UFC 321. The fight ended in a first-round “No Contest” after Gane poked Aspinall in both eyes, leaving the Englishman unable to continue. Aspinall underwent multiple surgeries to repair the damage. He said UFC officials, including Hunter Campbell, have been kept informed throughout the process and have seen the medical tests and information regarding his injuries. The 33-year-old also made it crystal clear that vacating his championship does not mean he is retiring. “I’m absolutely gutted. I’ve chased this dream since I was 10 years old,” Aspinall wrote. “I’m not done. Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.” Aspinall also expressed frustration that the problems keeping him sidelined stem from fouls committed during his fight with Gane. “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 ends his undisputed championship reign without recording an official victory as champion. His lone defense against Gane ended in the aforementioned “No Contest.” Prior to becoming undisputed champion following Jon Jones’ retirement, Aspinall defended the interim title by knocking out Curtis Blaydes in just 60 seconds at UFC 304 in July 2024. With Aspinall stepping aside, Gane currently holds the interim Heavyweight championship after stopping Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June. UFC has yet to announce what will happen with the vacant Heavyweight title. View this post on Instagram