UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall continues to battle significant vision problems more than 40 days after suffering dual eye pokes in his title defence at UFC 321. Now, a leading sports medicine expert has publicly defended the legitimacy of his injury, warning that surgery may be required, which could sideline the champion for a prolonged period.
Dr. Brian Sutterer, an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in sports medicine, analysed the medical reports Aspinall released to the public. He forcefully dismissed any notion that the injury was exaggerated or feigned. “This is a legitimate, serious injury,” Sutterer stated. “The findings are clear and explain the symptoms he’s describing.”
The Serious Medical Findings
The clinical evaluations revealed a complex injury. Aspinall was diagnosed with orbital soft-tissue trauma and a condition known as Brown’s syndrome in his right eye, which severely restricts upward movement. He also suffers from persistent diplopia (double vision) and a minimally displaced fracture in the medial orbital wall.
“This isn’t just a black eye or some temporary irritation,” Sutterer explained. “We’re talking about issues with eye muscle coordination and bone structure. Recovery isn’t linear, and it’s completely understandable why he’s still experiencing problems weeks later.”
The doctor emphasised that the priority is managing the double vision, which is not only debilitating for an athlete but also for everyday life. Treatment could involve medications, specialised injections, or even surgical intervention if the symptoms do not resolve.
A Long and Uncertain Road Back
The potential need for surgery presents the worst-case scenario for Aspinall’s fighting future. Such a procedure would require a substantial recovery and rehabilitation period, pushing a return to training—let alone a title defence—far into 2026.
“The timeline is completely up in the air,” Sutterer admitted. “The goal right now is to restore basic, functional vision. Only once that’s stable can you even think about the immense demands of training for a UFC fight.”
Aspinall’s situation has drawn parallels to other fighters who have suffered severe eye injuries, careers that were often permanently altered. The champion’s patience will be critical, a difficult mandate for an athlete in his prime.
Implications for the Heavyweight Division
With the champion sidelined indefinitely, the UFC heavyweight title picture is frozen. Potential matchups against legends like Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic, which fans have clamoured for, are now entirely dependent on Aspinall’s healing process.
For now, the focus remains squarely on the 31-year-old’s health. As Dr. Sutterer concluded, “The most important thing is that he doesn’t rush this. Coming back too early could risk permanent damage. The evidence shows this is very real, and his career depends on handling it correctly.”
The road back to the Octagon for Tom Aspinall appears long, uncertain, and fraught with medical complexity, a stark reminder of the very real dangers inherent in the sport.
