Tom Aspinall is back in training and eager to resume his career, but the UFC heavyweight champion still has another hurdle to clear before stepping inside the Octagon again.
Aspinall has been sidelined since suffering an eye injury during his heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October 2025. Despite recent signs that his comeback is getting closer, his business manager Eddie Hearn says additional testing is still required before Aspinall can be cleared to compete.
The lengthy absence has led to plenty of speculation surrounding Aspinall’s UFC future, including rumors about his relationship with the promotion. Aspinall recently pushed back on suggestions that he wanted out of his contract, and Hearn has now made it clear that the delay is about his physical condition rather than his desire to fight.
Eddie Hearn Gives Update On Tom Aspinall
Speaking to Bloody Elbow, Hearn confirmed that Aspinall remains under contract with the UFC and wants to return as soon as possible.
The issue is making sure he’s medically ready and able to receive the necessary clearance following the eye problems that have kept him sidelined.
He’s under contract. The only thing that we have to look at is when Tom Aspinall will be ready to return. 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. Not saying that’s the case, but that’s the position we need to get to in order for him to return to the ring.
Hearn explained that there isn’t an exact return date yet because the timeline depends on Aspinall’s recovery and whether he receives clearance to compete.
He’s motivated, and I can’t give you an exact date yet, but what I can tell you is he wants to get back in there as soon as he is physically able to do so.
Aspinall has already resumed training, which has fueled speculation about when fans could see him back in action. A potential rematch with Gane at UFC 334 in November has been rumored, but Hearn stopped short of confirming that fight.
Instead, he stressed that Aspinall’s medical situation will determine whether a November return is realistic.
It all depends whether he’ll be ready. 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.
Aspinall Remains Eager To Fight
While Aspinall has found success away from the Octagon, Hearn doesn’t believe that has diminished his desire to compete.
He revealed that Aspinall recently turned down a six-figure opportunity that would have required very little work, pointing to the heavyweight champion’s growing earning power outside of fighting.
Even so, Hearn insists competing remains Aspinall’s priority.
He’s a fighter. So it’s been very frustrating for him, but he’ll be back.
For now, that comeback remains dependent on the results of further testing. Aspinall may be training again and ready mentally to resume his reign, but medical clearance will ultimately determine when the UFC heavyweight champion can finally fight again.
