Tom Aspinall Vacates UFC Heavyweight Championship Due to Eye Injury

Tom Aspinall has vacated the UFC heavyweight championship following nearly a year of complications stemming from an eye injury that has kept him from obtaining medical clearance to fight.

The British fighter has been sidelined since his October match against Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. Aspinall has undergone multiple surgeries and dealt with infections, as he detailed in a recent Instagram statement.

After agreeing to a fight date and resuming sparring, Aspinall suffered further damage to his right eye from another incident. He expressed his desire not to impede the heavyweight division's progress and stated he would return to competition once he is medically cleared. The UFC has yet to announce plans regarding the vacant title.