UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall Vacates Title Due to Eye Injury Complications

Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title after eye injury complications. British fighter steps down to focus on recovery.

Editorial Desk

September 14, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has stepped down from his title due to ongoing complications from an eye injury sustained during a high-stakes bout against Ciryl Gane last year, the British athlete confirmed on Monday.

The 33-year-old fighter has undergone multiple surgeries following the incident, which occurred during his title defense in Abu Dhabi in October 2025. The fight was halted in the first round after Aspinall could not continue, resulting in a no-contest decision.

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Aspinall stated he chose to relinquish the belt rather than hold up the division while he recovers. He shared on Instagram that an accident caused further damage to his right eye, delaying his return to competition. Despite stepping away, he emphasized he is not retiring and remains focused on regaining full health to return to the octagon as soon as possible.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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