British UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has officially returned to full-time training following corrective surgery on both of his eyes. This recovery marks a significant step toward his potential rematch with French fighter Ciryl Gane.
Aspinall has remained sidelined since October 2025, when his title defense against Gane concluded as a no-contest. That match was halted after repeated eye pokes left Aspinall with a rare eye condition and persistent double vision, necessitating surgical intervention earlier this year.
Negotiations for a unification bout are currently underway, according to Aspinall’s recent social media updates. The path to this rematch has been complicated by public friction, with Aspinall labeling Gane a cheat and criticizing his victory over Alex Pereira. Despite his manager Eddie Hearn advising against the matchup under existing contract terms, Aspinall remains focused on finalizing the fight. Since his UFC debut in 2020, Aspinall has maintained an impressive record, securing seven first-round finishes across his eight total wins.
