Dr. Brian Satterer weighed in on Tom Aspinall’s persistent eye issues following an injury sustained in his UFC 321 bout against Ciryl Gane last October. Aspinall, the heavyweight champion, was forced to stop fighting after being struck in the eye and has struggled with vision problems for over 40 days, leaving his return date uncertain. Recently, the 32-year-old fighter released his medical records to counter rumors that he was faking the injury to dodge a possible loss to Gane.
Clinical tests revealed significant damage, including soft tissue trauma around the eye, impaired binocular coordination, limited eye movement, bilateral traumatic brown eye syndrome affecting the superior oblique tendon-trochlear mechanism, ongoing double vision, decreased visual acuity, substantial peripheral vision loss, and a slightly displaced fracture of the medial wall of the right orbit.
Dr. Satterer, a sports medicine specialist, supported Aspinall’s decision to withdraw from the fight, describing the injury as legitimate and serious. He outlined a worst-case scenario where surgery might be required, which could prolong Aspinall’s absence from the octagon. While hopeful that medication and injections will improve his condition, the doctor emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and treatment due to the lack of substantial progress so far.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for fight fans as it highlights the severe risks athletes face in combat sports, especially with eye injuries that can impact career longevity. Aspinall’s recovery journey will be closely watched, as his return could shape the heavyweight division’s future matchups and rivalries.
