Tom Aspinall: Eye Injury, Jon Jones Feud, and UFC Future

Tom Aspinall is the UFC heavyweight champion—but right now, he’s more focused on seeing clearly than defending a belt nearly four months after a double eye gouge ended his fight with Ciryl Gane. Here’s what we know about his eye injury, the stalled Jon Jones fight, his net worth, and what’s next.

Professional Record: 15-3-0 (1 NC) · Height: 6’5″ · Weight: 255 lbs · Reach: 78″ · Division: Heavyweight · Title: Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion

Key facts about Tom Aspinall compiled from official sources.

Is Tom Aspinall’s Eye Damaged?

At UFC 321 in March 2025, Ciryl Gane poked Aspinall multiple times, ending in a double eye gouge that forced the referee to stop the fight as a no-contest (Sportsnet (tier2)). Aspinall reported immediately that he could not see out of his right eye and had blurred vision in his left.

Which UFC fighter lost an eye?

Several UFC fighters have suffered serious eye injuries. Michael Bisping fought with one functioning eye for years. More recently, Aspinall’s case has drawn attention because of the severity of the visual defects. Dr. Shafiq Rehman diagnosed Aspinall with visual field defects after the incident (Sportsnet (tier2)).

What is the status of Tom Aspinall’s eye injury?

Aspinall waited more than 100 days after the fight before undergoing surgery at Optegra Eye Hospital in Manchester to repair damage to both eyes (Sportsnet (tier2)). He still sees a constant black spot and experiences severe double vision on one side, which makes footwork drills impossible. He has not been cleared for full-contact training since UFC 321 (Instagram (Official UFC, tier2)). “I’m not thinking about fighting,” Aspinall stated. “I need to get my health right.”

Who Did Tom Aspinall Lose To?

Aspinall’s professional MMA record stands at 15 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no contest. Three fighters have beaten him, and each loss tells a different story.

What is Tom Aspinall’s professional MMA record?

• Curtis Blaydes (July 23, 2022) – TKO due to a knee injury sustained by Aspinall (injury stoppage).
• Linton Vassell (July 19, 2015) – Submission (rear-naked choke).
• Łukasz Parobiec (July 19, 2015) – Submission (armbar).

His UFC record is 8 wins, 2 losses, 1 no contest, according to UFCstats (Wikipedia (tier2)).

Who are the undefeated fighters in UFC history?

Khabib Nurmagomedov retired undefeated at 29-0. Anderson Silva once held a 16-fight win streak in the UFC. Aspinall, with three losses, is not part of that club but remains one of the most dangerous heavyweights.

Why Does Jon Jones Not Want to Fight Tom Aspinall?

Jon Jones, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, has publicly stated he prefers not to fight Aspinall on short notice or without proper preparation (ESPN (tier2)). Instead, Jones campaigned for a fight with Stipe Miocic, a matchup the UFC ultimately did not book.

What is Jon Jones’s stance on fighting Tom Aspinall?

In interviews, Jones said Aspinall “needs to earn” a title shot and that he wouldn’t accept a short-notice fight. Dana White confirmed that Jones retired in June 2025, at which point Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion (Sportsnet (tier2)).

Why does the Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall fight not happen?

The UFC never forced the matchup. Jones’s retirement removed the unification bout entirely. Aspinall now holds the undisputed belt but is physically unable to defend it due to his eye recovery.

What Is Tom Aspinall’s Net Worth?

Estimates for Tom Aspinall’s net worth in 2025 range from $1 million to $3 million, based on fight purses, bonuses, and endorsements. His biggest payday came from the interim title win over Sergei Pavlovich. For comparison, see the net worth analysis of other sports figures like Roy Keane.

How tall is Tom Aspinall?

Aspinall stands 6’5″ (196 cm) and weighs 255 lbs (116 kg), with a reach of 78 inches (Wikipedia (tier2)).

What titles has Tom Aspinall won?

He won the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship on July 22, 2023, by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich. In June 2025, after Jon Jones’s retirement, he was promoted to undisputed champion. What this means: Aspinall’s title status is clear, but his earning potential remains uncertain while he recovers.

What Is Going On With Tom Aspinall?

As of mid-2025, Aspinall is not training MMA and is focused on restoring his vision. He has not been cleared for full-contact sparring, and no next fight has been announced (Sportsnet (tier2)).

When is Tom Aspinall’s next fight?

No date has been scheduled. UFC president Dana White stated the promotion is exploring options, including a possible interim title defense—but only once Aspinall is medically cleared (Sportsnet (tier2)).

What is Tom Aspinall’s current status in the UFC?

He is the undisputed heavyweight champion on paper but inactive due to injury. The UFC has not stripped him, but fans wonder whether he will ever fight again at the same level.

The pattern: Aspinall sits at a bizarre crossroads—undisputed champion in name, sidelined by an eye injury that may never fully heal. For the UFC heavyweight division, the choice is clear: either wait for Aspinall’s recovery and risk a long inactive reign, or create an interim title and fracture the belt further. Either way, fans lose a prime fighter during his peak years. For another story of recovery from injury, read about Noel Fitzpatrick’s accident recovery.