TOM ASPINALL has relinquished his UFC heavyweight championship after a series of eye problems left him unable to return to action.
The Brit has been sidelined since an eye poke forced his fight with Ciryl Gane to end in a no contest last October. Further complications, including surgeries and infections, have prevented him from being medically cleared.
Aspinall revealed he had already agreed a date for his next fight before another setback caused his recovery to stall again. With no clear return date, the 33-year-old decided to vacate the belt rather than keep the heavyweight division waiting.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” Aspinall said. “I’ve chased this dream since I was 10 years old. I’m not done. Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream.”
He also pointed to the fouls that caused his eye problems, saying their consequences had continued to affect his career. Aspinall now plans to focus on recovering and earning medical clearance before returning to the Octagon.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn backed him, saying Aspinall had shown “total class” throughout the difficult period and that the team believes he can eventually return and challenge for the heavyweight crown again.
