TOM ASPINALL deserves a sincere apology from the mixed martial arts community critics who have relentlessly targeted him throughout the past year.
Aspinall’s life underwent a significant shift last October during a disastrous first title defense against Ciryl Gane in the heavyweight division.
The catastrophic DOUBLE EYE POKE, which could be considered the worst in UFC history, late in the first round left the fighter from Atherton unable to continue the match in Abu Dhabi.
Shortly after referee Jason Herzog, who had cautioned Gane about his outstretched fingers multiple times, halted the fight, a small but vocal group of MMA fans took to social media with their absurd theories.
“Aspinall quit?” “He wanted to give up?” “He knew he was losing.” “Tom didn’t wish to continue.”
Such were the bizarre opinions expressed by some fans—and even fellow fighters—in the aftermath of that anti-climactic conclusion to a highly anticipated bout.
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Moreover, UFC President & CEO Dana White noted that Aspinall “didn’t want to continue” after enduring such a significant injury.
The suggestion that Aspinall should have fought through severe vision issues against one of the top strikers in the division was astonishing.
Equally perplexing was the fact that this critique came from some of his fellow competitors.
In the weeks and months that followed that fateful night in Abu Dhabi, Aspinall was remarkably open about the traumatic injury he sustained.
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Team Aspinall carefully documented nearly every detail of the former champion’s recovery process.
From the urgent hospital visit after the fight to the double surgery aftermath in February, Aspinall kept his fans updated on his condition.
These consistent updates and remarkable honesty helped rational MMA fans comprehend the severity of Aspinall’s situation.
Some critics and skeptics were silenced by these updates, while my friend and colleague Peter Carroll’s insightful article on Aspinall’s double eye surgery illuminated his pre- and post-operative challenges.
Despite this, a few stubborn detractors persisted in believing the ludicrous narrative that Aspinall was simply feigning injury to avoid a tough matchup against Gane.
Those spreading the ludicrous claim that the 33-year-old was “afraid” to compete faced public embarrassment last week when Aspinall disclosed that he had encountered a setback in his recovery, prompting him to vacate his title.
This setback involved his right eye, which had undergone two surgeries but deteriorated after sustaining another injury during training.
Aspinall must now wait until January for a follow-up scan to determine if he will need a FIFTH surgery.
Yes, you read that correctly: a FIFTH surgery. And there’s genuine concern that the procedure may not yield positive results.
Aspinall, who was scheduled to rematch Gane at UFC 334 on November 14, now finds himself in an uncertain position.
At this point, he is unsure if he will regain proper vision, let alone return to fighting.
Imagine the threat of enduring lasting damage to your eyesight.
Now consider how that impaired vision could affect your daily life, including how you interact with and care for your young children.
Sounds terrifying, doesn’t it?
Aspinall’s decision to vacate his title—something he could have held for financial benefit until being stripped—underscores the seriousness of his condition following Gane’s eye poke.
It’s unsettling to think of the dire consequences he could have faced had he listened to the advice of many self-proclaimed tough guys on social media—most of whom lack competitive combat experience—and “toughed it out” while suffering from compromised vision.
It’s not an exaggeration to suggest he could have sustained irreversible damage to his eyesight.
Fortunately, we find ourselves in a situation where, with rest, recovery, and possibly additional surgical interventions, Aspinall could return to the sport he has devoted his life to.
However, before that can take place, those who doubted the severity of his injuries must acknowledge their mistakes and reconsider their misguided reactions toward the former champion.
Yet, given the nature of these misguided trolls, many of whom seem primarily interested in clicks and views, those apologies may regrettably never materialize.
