Tom Aspinall Vacates UFC Heavyweight Title Due to Eye Complications

Tom Aspinall is no longer the UFC heavyweight champion. The 33-year-old fighter announced Monday his decision to vacate the title due to ongoing complications with his eyes that prevent him from getting medically cleared to compete. Aspinall, who has not fought since October 2025, revealed that he had recently agreed to a return date before suffering another right eye injury caused by an accident in training.

In a statement posted to social media, Aspinall explained that he chose to relinquish the belt to avoid stalling the division. He noted that he has undergone multiple surgeries and dealt with infections and setbacks while working closely with doctors, specialists, and UFC officials, including Hunter Campbell. Despite these efforts, medical clearance was deemed impossible at this time, leaving the timing of his eventual return unclear.

Aspinall stated that stepping away from the belt does not mean walking away from his career, emphasizing that he plans to return as soon as he is medically cleared. He also expressed frustration, noting that many of his complications stem from past fouls that changed the course of his career. The UFC has not yet announced its next steps for the division, where Ciryl Gane currently holds interim gold after knocking out Alex Pereira on the UFC White House card. Aspinall added that he will temporarily step away from social media and let his media team manage his accounts.