Tom Aspinall issues crucial update on injury after Ciryl Gane eye pokes
Tom Aspinall was left unable to see out of his right eye after being poked by Ciryl Gane during their heavyweight title fight at UFC 321
Tom Aspinall will require further tests on his eye after being poked by Ciryl Gane in their UFC 321 fight.
Aspinall was defending his heavyweight title for the first time against the Frenchman in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night. But the bout was brought to a premature end when Aspinall was poked in both eyes and left unable to see out of his right one. He was immediately taken to hospital but has been cleared to return to the UK for further examination
"It was way scarier than what I did to my knee," Aspinall said, referring to the knee injury he suffered against Curtis Blaydes three years ago. "Because with my knee, I knew it was going to be alright. I still don't know how this is going to be. We're just waiting for further results. We've got to do more tests in the UK. Flying back today [Sunday], and we'll go from there. I'm not sure when I'll be ready to let everyone know what's going on. Thank you for all the support. See you soon."
Aspinall's dad Andy, who also trains the heavyweight, added: ""It's a horrendous thing to think as a parent. I know what it's like these days with people saying what they want. But when it's your son, and they could lose an eye, and their health, and they've got children to look after. Something needs doing about it. It's horrendous to look at [the eye poke incident]."
Once has recovered, Aspinall can expect to be called to defend his title against Gane again. "It's total pain in the arse but yes," said UFC chief Dana White about a rematch. "They're both in shape, other than whatever's wrong with his eye. Both guys are not injured. [We will do it] as soon as possible.
"It's unfortunate that it ended the way that it did. And yes, I think that there probably will be a lot more interest after they saw [how Gane performed]. He had Tom bloodied up and Tom didn't want to continue in the fight. The rematch is very interesting.
"I can't force people to fight. If I want to arrange a bout, I can't force people to fight. You certainly can't make somebody carry on if they feel they've been injured. Only Tom knows what occurred. Could he see? Couldn't he see? Could he continue? Only he knows that."