Tom Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title with heartbreaking statement issued

Tom Aspinall has revealed he is vacating the UFC Heavyweight Championship due to 'ongoing eye complications'.

Aspinall suffered serious injuries in both eyes when he was poked by Cyril Gane during their fight at UFC 321 last October. The referee was forced to wave the fight off after Aspinall claimed his vision was impaired.

The Englishman had to undergo double-eye surgery and has not stepped back into the Octagon since. He has now revealed that he is vacating the title after suffering 'further damage' to his right eye while sparring.

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Tom Aspinall confirms he is vacating UFC heavyweight title

In a statement on Instagram, Aspinall wrote: "Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now. I've had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing.

"I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye. This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear.

"I've always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we've tried to make this [a return] happen.

"I've now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title. I've asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don't want to hold the heavyweight division up. I know what it's like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title.

"The UFC and Hunter [Campbell] have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes.

"We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen, but unfortunately, it's simply not possible right now. I'm absolutely gutted. I've chased this dream since I was 10 years old.

"I'm not done.

"Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I'll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible."

Aspinall then once again took aim at the UFC officials who presided over his fight against Gane, and the eye damage he subsequently suffered.

"What makes this particularly difficult is that many of the complications I'm dealing with are as a result of fouls that changed the course of my career," he wrote. "Fighters rely on officials to enforce the rules and protect us in those moments, and it's hard to still be dealing with the consequences today.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this absolute nightmare. I'll be back as soon as I'm medically able to be."

What happened to Tom Aspinall's eyes at UFC 321

Aspinall's father, Andy, revealed last October that, at that time, his son had '50 per cent' vision in his left eye but could not 'see anything' out of his right eye.

His father also responded to UFC president Dana White, who was heavily criticised for his conduct in the early stages of Aspinall's recovery and for comments he made about the British fighter.

READ MORE: Tom Aspinall's dad responds to Dana White remarks after UFC 321 eye injury

Aspinall later revealed he had been diagnosed with 'significant traumatic bilateral Brown's syndrome', a condition associated with restricted eye movement. The NHS website states the condition can cause people to 'experience pain, discomfort or a clicking sensation when they try to move their affected eye into the 'up' and 'in' position'.

He had double eye surgery in February and, in May, said he had a positive scan on both eyes and was told he would be cleared for contact 'if things keep moving in the right direction'.

In June, he accepted Gane's call-out for a rematch at UFC Paris, which has now been and gone as the event was held on September 5.