Aspinall needs eye-clearance from commission before UFC return, says Hearn

Tom Aspinall cannot yet set a return date because athletic commission medical requirements — not his own readiness — are the final obstacle standing between the UFC heavyweight champion and his next fight, according to his business manager Eddie Hearn.

Aspinall has been out of action since suffering an eye injury during his title defence against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October. Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Hearn made clear that the severity of the injury means the decision ultimately rests with the relevant commission rather than the fighter or his team.

“The only thing that we have to look at is when Tom Aspinall will be ready to return,” Hearn said. “And that’s not when he will be ready to return from a mindset perspective; that’s from a commission perspective in terms of his injuries. And that shows you what he has been through, because if the commission won’t let him fight, you know how serious the injuries were.”

Hearn confirmed Aspinall is back in training and eager to compete, but stressed that further medical checks are still required. “He’s training. I think he’s gonna have to go through some additional testing to make sure he’s good to return, but he wants to fight,” he said.

Aspinall’s extended absence had fuelled speculation about his relationship with the UFC, prompting the champion himself to publicly dismiss rumours that he was seeking a way out of his contract. Hearn was emphatic on that point. “He’s under contract,” he said, adding that Aspinall’s frustration stems entirely from being kept out of the cage, not from any dispute with the promotion.

Rumours have circulated that a rematch with Gane could headline UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in November, but Hearn declined to confirm any specific timeline, saying only that Aspinall will return “as soon as he is physically able to do so.”

Hearn also offered an insight into Aspinall’s mindset away from the octagon, noting the champion had turned down a lucrative six-figure appearance deal that required minimal effort. “He went, ‘Nah, I’ll leave that one’,” Hearn recalled. “He’s a fighter. So it’s been very frustrating for him, but he’ll be back.”