Tom Aspinall has returned to social media armed with medical evidence.
The UFC heavyweight champion has been dealing with backlash from some in the MMA community after how the title fight in Abu Dhabi played out last month.
Aspinall’s defense against Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest after the Frenchman poked the reigning titleholder in the eye late in round one.
The Englishman said his vision was compromised and that he was unable to continue. While plenty focused their criticism on the challenger for his serious foul, others disputed Aspinall’s injury. Even some UFC fighters were unconvinced, with TJ Dillashaw accusing Aspinall of quitting.
Aspinall has remained relatively quiet in recent weeks, but he has made his way back to social media with a post that has dealt a blow to his haters…
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Tom Aspinall confirmed to have suffered ‘significant trauma’ as a result of Ciryl Gane’s eye poke
Aspinall uploaded a post to Instagram on Sunday, which included multiple memes referencing Gane’s poke at UFC 321 a number of weeks ago.
In the caption, the heavyweight king thanked his supporters, stuck a middle finger up at his haters, and reiterated his plan to get his revenge on the Frenchman in their expected rematch.
“Thanks for all the love, support & memes,” Aspinall wrote in the caption.
“Coming to get my revenge on the big cheater.”
Most notable, however, was the inclusion of the official medical reports detailing the injuries that Aspinall suffered in Abu Dhabi.
Do you understand why Tom Aspinall could not continue at UFC 321?
The UFC heavyweight champion is now confirmed to have suffered these injuries from Ciryl Gane's eye poke…
The medical report notes that the Briton sustained “significant bilateral ocular trauma” because of Gane’s poke, as well as persistent diplopia (double vision), orbital soft tissue trauma, and a minimally displaced fracture of the right medial orbital wall.
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The UFC heavyweight division could soon have a new arrival
While the focus in the heavyweight class is currently on the UFC 321 drama and Aspinall’s expected rematch with Gane, one of the promotion’s biggest stars could be in the mix soon enough.
Alex Pereira is planning a heavyweight move after returning to the throne at 205 pounds in October, when he knocked out Magomed Ankalaev in their second dance.
While ‘Poatan’ has his immediate focus on a super-fight with Jon Jones, the Brazilian is expected to eventually challenge to become the first UFC fighter to win titles across three seperate divisions.
How would Alex Pereira do in the UFC heavyweight division?
It remains to be seen whether the UFC will grant Pereira’s wish to immediately move up or have him defend the light heavyweight crown against a contender like Carlos Ulberg first.