STWF Sports | Dec. 2, 2025 – UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has spoken publicly for the first time about the aftermath of his chaotic UFC 321 title defense against Ciryl Gane, revealing frustration and disappointment with UFC CEO Dana White over comments made in the weeks following the bout.

Aspinall’s October title defense in Abu Dhabi ended in a no-contest after an accidental double eye poke from Gane left the champion unable to see. The moment sparked immediate confusion inside Etihad Arena, and within hours, White told reporters he planned to book an immediate rematch. But it was one particular remark that stuck with fans—and now with Aspinall.

White stated plainly: “Tom didn’t want to continue in the fight.”

Weeks later, White went further during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, claiming Aspinall suffered “no damage to the eye.” That assertion has since been proven false, and Aspinall made clear on Monday that the comments hurt more than fans realized.

Aspinall: “I was very disappointed.”

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Aspinall didn’t hold back.

“Slightly disappointing,” he said. “Because he hadn’t spoken to me—he was already giving updates on my health, and he had no idea what had gone on. Disappointing. Disappointing.”

Aspinall said the sting was even worse because he was in a hospital bed in Abu Dhabi at the time White was addressing the media.

“I was very disappointed, yeah,” Aspinall repeated. “It definitely didn’t help the cause.”

He also revealed he hasn’t spoken to White since the incident.

“Me and Dana don’t really speak like that anyway… I’ve said hello here and there, but I don’t really have a relationship with Dana. I speak to Hunter [Campbell]. That’s the way it is.”

Aspinall stressed that he has always represented the UFC well, which made the public misstatements—especially regarding his health—difficult to swallow.

“[White] started giving updates that there was nothing wrong with my eye, when that isn’t the case… I’ve done a lot for the UFC, so yeah, disappointing.”

The Medical Reality: Bilateral Traumatic Brown’s Syndrome

On Sunday, Aspinall posted official NHS medical documents revealing he had been diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome—a rare and serious eye injury affecting how the eye moves, particularly when looking upward.

He is currently banned from all combat training until his condition improves.

“The eyes are not back to full health yet,” he said. “We put the doctors’ reports out recently… The left eye looked worse, but the right eye was the one that had the most damage—I was like a human bowling ball.”

Doctors are considering surgery on both eyes, and Aspinall said he will soon receive an injection directly into the eyeball, a procedure he admitted he’s “not looking forward to.”

At this point, there is no timeline for his return.

“They don’t really know when I’m going to be back,” Aspinall said. “I’m not cleared to train or do anything.”

The damage is located primarily at the back of the eye, making surgery delicate and risky. Doctors want to wait as long as possible before deciding how to proceed.

Will the UFC Introduce Another Interim Title?

With Aspinall sidelined indefinitely, UFC leadership may be forced to consider another interim heavyweight championship, especially given the division’s recent upheaval.

Aspinall himself rose to prominence as the longest-reigning interim heavyweight champion before being elevated to undisputed status when Jon Jones announced a retirement.

Now, Jones has resurfaced, declaring interest in returning for a blockbuster fight—possibly at a proposed UFC White House event—against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Aspinall vs. Jones had once been the most anticipated fight in the division, but current circumstances have put the matchup on indefinite pause.

A Champion Left Waiting

For now, Aspinall remains in limbo—recovering, frustrated, and uncertain of what comes next.

“I don’t really know when I’ll be back,” he said. “Right now, I just need my eyes to heal.”

What’s clear is that the relationship between champion and promoter has taken a hit, and the heavyweight division could be headed toward another shake-up while Aspinall works his way back to full health.