Featured Image Credit: Ariel Helwani Show
Topics: Tom Aspinall, UFC, Dana White
Josh Lawless
Tom Aspinall has given another update on his eye injury while blasting UFC president Dana White for what he said about the issue.
Aspinall suffered the injury during his first UFC heavyweight title defence against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 after being on the receiving end of multiple eye pokes in the first round.
With Aspinall telling both the cageside doctor and referee that he was unable to see, the Abu Dhabi main event ended in a no-contest and saw loud boos as the furious champion unloaded in an x-rated interview with Daniel Cormier.
Aspinall's frustrations only grew as there appeared to be a narrative pushed that he could have carried on and took the easy route.
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White added fuel to the fire when he praised Gane's display and stated that he had Aspinall "bloodied up" while claiming that the Brit "didn’t want to continue in the fight".
Those comments caused outrage, with many stunned that the promoter didn't back the 32-year-old.
On Sunday, over a month after the fight, Aspinall provided a comprehensive update on his situation and shared his private medical records.
After a series of regular appointments and tests, Aspinall showed that he had been diagnosed with significant traumatic bilateral Brown’s syndrome, a rare eye disorder.
On Tuesday, Aspinall appeared on Ariel Helwani's show and after already responding to White, he again hit out at the UFC chief for the comments he made about his eye as he revealed there has been no contact.
"[Dana White] hadn't spoken to me, and he was already giving updates on my health," he said.
"He had no idea what had gone on. It was disappointing, mate.
"[His comments] definitely didn't help the cause... I don't really have a relationship with Dana... I don't really know what to say, that's the way it is."
In one of the documents published by Aspinall on Instagram, it stated that "surgical intervention to address persistent motility impairment may be required" if the issue does not resolve.
Aspinall has not yet returned to training and there is no word on when he will be cleared to return to action.
"With eyes you’ve got to be careful," he explained to Helwani.
"They don’t really know when I’m gonna be back. I’m still not even cleared to train. They’re talking about doing surgery on both eyes. I have to get an injection in the eyeball soon.”
In an exclusive clip given to the Ariel Helwani Show, Aspinall asked one doctor about when he would be able to begin sparring again.
Dr Aws Al-Hity, who praised Aspinall for having "the courage to make that decision in a stressful environment", advised him to proceed with caution as he mapped out the next step.
"It's a long road ahead but the prognosis is guarded at the moment, I would recommend that you wouldn't fight until your double vision is resolved," Dr Al-Hity explained.
"This is for two reasons one it could potentially make things worse and set you back even further, or that you're training because you're still having double vision looking into the periphery and you wouldn't be at your peak."
Aspinall has still made it clear he is desperate to rematch Gane but there is no word as to when he can start preparing for the bout.