Tom Aspinall, a popular UFC fighter, faced backlash after an eye injury forced him to stop his first title defense as undisputed champion against Ciryl Gane, despite his history of stepping up for fights and his commitment to the sport, with his friend Modestas Bukauskas defending him and expressing confidence that Aspinall will return even more determined and dangerous.
Tom Aspinall shot to fame in the UFC, grabbing an interim title on short notice. He defended it seamlessly, even as Jon Jones lingered, waiting for a clash with the veteran Stipe Miocic. Aspinall’s performances were electric, dismantling heavyweight contenders with ease.
But his first defense as the undisputed champ was a disaster. After a competitive start against Ciryl Gane, a brutal eye poke ended the fight, leaving Aspinall unable to continue.
Despite needing surgery, Aspinall faced backlash, accused of using the injury as an excuse. His friend and teammate, Modestas Bukauskas, was particularly upset by the criticism. He emphasized Aspinall’s dedication, recalling his willingness to fight on short notice and his impressive first-round finishes.
“When you see that stuff online, I just felt so bad for Tom,” Bukauskas shared. He couldn’t fathom how quickly people forgot Aspinall’s contributions. “Have any of you been poked like that in the eye?”
Bukauskas, who’s experienced similar injuries, understands the severity. “I’ve been poked in the eye pretty bad,” he admitted, recalling blurry vision that lasted a year. He finds it unfair that fans turned on Aspinall for not continuing the fight.
Spending time with Aspinall in the gym, Bukauskas knows his friend’s fighting spirit. But competing with impaired vision against a striker like Gane? It’s just not feasible.
“Ciryl Gane’s very fast,” Bukauskas noted, emphasizing the danger of fighting with compromised sight. The backlash Aspinall faced was harsh, yet Bukauskas believes it fuels his determination to return stronger.
Aspinall’s surgery is underway, but a comeback timeline remains uncertain. Bukauskas doesn’t need proof of the injury’s seriousness. “Dude has to get surgery,” he stated, highlighting the complexity of eye injuries.
Despite losing some fans, Aspinall is expected to channel the negativity into motivation. Bukauskas predicts a fierce return, with Aspinall ready to prove doubters wrong.
“You don’t want to rattle the bull,” Bukauskas warned. Aspinall’s intensity in sparring is a testament to his potential. When he returns, expect him to be sharper and more dangerous.
“There’s a switch,” Bukauskas observed. Aspinall’s resilience and determination promise a thrilling comeback. His story is far from over, and his future performances could be legendary.