Aspinall Still Unfit to Fight, Accuses Gane of Cheating

UPDATE: UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall remains unfit to train after suffering an illegal eye poke from Ciryl Gane during their title bout on October 25, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. In a shocking social media update, Aspinall revealed he may need surgery due to persistent symptoms from the incident, further escalating the controversy surrounding the fight.

Aspinall (15-3) did not hold back, calling Gane “a big cheater” and claiming the foul was intentional. The bout, which ended in a no-contest, left Aspinall unable to continue after the eye poke occurred late in the first round. “Initially, I thought it was accidental. Watching the fight back, I realized he was trying to poke my eyes out throughout the round,” Aspinall stated. “He was cheating from the first second.”

The implications of this fight are severe. The UFC heavyweight division has been in limbo since the bout, with Aspinall’s career trajectory now uncertain. UFC CEO Dana White commented post-fight, indicating that Aspinall chose not to continue due to a “bloody nose.” However, Aspinall defended his decision, emphasizing, “I’m not going to fight one of the best strikers in the world when I can’t see with one eye.”

Compounding the urgency, the UFC plans to rebook the Aspinall-Gane matchup as soon as possible, but Aspinall currently lacks a clear recovery timeline. He continues to experience troubling symptoms, including double vision and blurred sight. This incident raises significant concerns about fighter safety in the UFC, especially regarding illegal moves.

With the heavyweight division stalled for much of 2025, Aspinall’s career has faced unprecedented setbacks. The UFC’s plans for lucrative matchups, including a potential clash between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, have further complicated the situation. Jones, expected to face Aspinall in the near future, has since announced his retirement, leaving the division in disarray.

“I have to focus on my recovery and following doctors’ orders,” Aspinall commented. “If you were sidelined from doing your job for 15 months and then suffered an illegal move, how do you think I feel? I’m not feeling fantastic.”

As the situation develops, fans and analysts are eagerly watching for updates on Aspinall’s health and the implications for the heavyweight division. The urgency for clarity and resolution in this matter cannot be overstated, and further announcements are anticipated soon.