UFC champion Tom Aspinall has opened up on what he describes as ‘probably the scariest experience’ of his life at UFC 321.
Tom Aspinall underwent multiple surgeries due to a double eye poke he sustained during the first defence of his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane last time out in October 2025.
Gane’s nasty foul prompted the UFC 321 main event in Abu Dhabi to be ruled a no-contest and Aspinall has since been on a life-changing journey back to the top.
He’s now ready to make a UFC comeback, with a rematch against Gane, who became the interim heavyweight champion by defeating Alex Pereira at the White House in June, all but confirmed to be his next fight.
It’s been a painful recovery for Aspinall and it could well be over a year since his fight with Gane by the time he gets his hands on the Frenchman again.
But, based on his comments on Great Company with Jamie Laing, Aspinall will doubtless be thankful to see the back of his numerous hospital appointments.
Aspinall on ‘horrendous’ eye surgeries
“I’ve never had anything like it. My vision was completely gone in one eye,” Aspinall explained on the process following his fight with Gane.
“It was completely black for four weeks and probably the scariest experience of my life.
“It was really horrendous, [but my eyes are] really good now. I’ve had three [eye] surgeries. I had one on the left and two on the right.
“By the way, I’ve had the snip, right? I’ve had a vasectomy, and I was thinking that has got to be the worst surgery ever.
“Compared to eye surgery, it is nothing. Honestly. It’s f****** horrendous.”
Expanding on the graphic details of his eye surgeries, Aspinall continued: “So they kept me awake.
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“I’m lying awake, they put something on to keep your eyeball open and obviously, they numb it and stuff. They numb your eye.
“They did drops and then an injection on the side [of my eyeball].
“They’re coming at you with like a scalpel or knife, or whatever it’s called and you’re just watching them slice your eyeball open.
“You’re thinking, ‘What is going on?’ It was horrendous.”
When is Aspinall returning to UFC?
Aspinall said that in an ideal world he fights again this year, but added ‘it’s really important that health comes first.’
He concluded: “It’s got to be right for everybody. I’m not rushing for anyone.”
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The heavyweight champion has already welcomed the rematch with Gane — a fight UFC legend Jon Jones believes he will lose — and wouldn’t care if it took place on enemy territory in Paris, France.
There is a Fight Night card currently scheduled on September 5 at Paris’ Accor Arena, but it’s likely UFC CEO Dana White will reserve the championship bout for a numbered event.
For now, Aspinall is simply waiting on a date from the UFC to make his return.
UFC Schedule
There are still several blockbuster shows and exciting contests for fight fans to look forward to in 2026, and you can find the full list of all confirmed events and official bouts as part of talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.
The UFC, on average, puts on 13 to 14 premium events in a calendar year, with up to 30 smaller ‘Fight Night’ cards allowing prospects and less experienced fighters to showcase their talents.
On January 1, 2026, Dana White’s promotion signed a seven-year broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+ for exclusive rights in the US, meaning the UFC has put on shows like never before this year.
With the historic first event in the new Paramount era, UFC 324, delivering huge success, and a one-of-a-kind fight card at the White House in June opening up the UFC to a new audience, the promotion remains a premium global sports brand, and fans are eager to keep track of results and upcoming fights.
