Sports · Combat Sports · 4 hrs ago
Miocic backs Aspinall’s decision to vacate heavyweight title during eye recovery
Tom Aspinall vacated the UFC heavyweight title while recovering from an eye injury.
The British fighter was elevated to undisputed champion after Jon Jones left, but was injured by an eye poke from Ciryl Gane in October 2025.
His recovery setback left him without a clear return date, and his injuries have affected his daily life.
Former champion Stipe Miocic said Aspinall made the right choice by putting his health first.
Miocic knows the issue firsthand: he says Daniel Cormier poked him in the eye in their second fight, and he later had a torn retina.
Miocic praised Aspinall for giving up the title, saying it must have been difficult after reaching the top.
Aspinall hopes to return to full health and get a rematch with Gane, but when he can compete again remains unknown.
Tom Aspinall vacated the heavyweight title amid a setback in his recovery from an eye injury.
Stipe Miocic praised Aspinall for putting his health first.
Aspinall was poked in the eye by Ciryl Gane during his first title defense in October 2025.
Miocic said he had experienced a similar injury after being poked by Daniel Cormier.
Aspinall has no clear timeline for returning to competition.
- Who
- Tom Aspinall vacated the title, and Stipe Miocic praised his decision.
- What
- Aspinall gave up the heavyweight title amid a setback in his eye recovery.
- When
- Almost a year after his October 2025 title defense.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- His recovery had suffered a setback, and he needed to focus on his health.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Aspinall was poked in the eye by Ciryl Gane during his first title defense.
Aspinall vacated the title amid a setback in his recovery.
- Fighter
- Tom Aspinall
- Former champion
- Stipe Miocic
- Opponent in title defense
- Ciryl Gane
- Eye injury
- October 2025
- Recovery
- Setback prompted Aspinall to vacate the title
1 source
What people are saying
Looking at Tommy’s situation, I just think good of him to do that
I give him kudos for doing that because I know it’s hard for him.
I’ve been there; I’ve torn my retina before, and it’s tough.