Aspinall eyes contact training soon after eye injury scan

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has offered an optimistic update on his recovery from an eye injury, suggesting a return to contact training could be imminent if his progress continues.

The 33-year-old Englishman shared the news in a recent YouTube video, revealing that a visit to a specialist and a subsequent scan showed positive progression. Aspinall said that if his condition keeps moving in the right direction, he could soon be cleared to resume full contact work — a sign that his return to competition may arrive sooner than many had anticipated.

Aspinall, who trains out of Team Kaobon, holds a professional record of 15 wins and 3 losses and currently sits at number six in the pound-for-pound rankings. Standing six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach, the orthodox heavyweight is regarded as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 67 percent while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Aspinall is the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, so any delay in his return leaves the division's title picture in limbo
• A clearance for contact training would mark a significant milestone toward setting an official comeback fight
• His combination of elite striking volume and takedown ability makes him a uniquely dangerous stylistic threat for any challenger waiting in the wings

It should be noted that this update comes directly from Aspinall himself via social media and has not been officially confirmed by the UFC, meaning the recovery timeline remains unverified for now.