Tom Aspinall reveals the horrifying reality behind his UFC 321 injury

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has opened up about the severe physical toll of recovering from multiple eye surgeries following his UFC 321 no-contest bout against Ciryl Gane. Aspinall underwent three procedures—one on his left eye and two on his right—after accidental eye pokes forced him out of the fight.

During a podcast appearance on "Great Company with Jamie Lang," Aspinall described the surgical experience in stark terms, revealing that he remained conscious throughout the procedures. Doctors kept his eyeball mechanically open while operating with a scalpel, an ordeal he called "horrendous." He compared the pain unfavorably even to a vasectomy, suggesting the eye surgeries were far more traumatic than any other medical procedure he has endured.

Immediately following the fight, Aspinall was gripped by fear that the damage might prove permanent. His anxiety lasted roughly two weeks before he began to feel more confident in his recovery prospects. The no-contest ending drew criticism from some fans who questioned his toughness, with speculation that he wanted out of the fight after Gane came out strong. Aspinall pushed back on those accusations, stating that keyboard critics lack the understanding to judge a professional fighter's resilience.

Despite the traumatic recovery, Aspinall has signaled his readiness to return to action. A rematch against interim champion Ciryl Gane is expected later in the year, giving the British heavyweight a chance to settle their unfinished business under safer circumstances. The accidental eye pokes that ended their initial encounter have reignited broader conversations about fighter safety and the need for stricter officiating standards in the sport.