Tom Aspinall reflects on fan backlash to eye poke injuries, says eye surgery worse than vasectomy
MMA Fighting • • sports
Key Points:
- UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall underwent three painful eye surgeries after his October 2023 bout with Ciryl Gane was stopped due to multiple eye pokes, describing the procedures as worse than any surgery he's had, including a vasectomy.
- Aspinall detailed the agony of being awake during eye surgery, watching surgeons operate on his eyeball despite numbing, calling the experience "horrendous."
- Since then, Aspinall captured the interim heavyweight title in November 2023 and defended it successfully before being promoted to undisputed champion following Jon Jones' retirement.
- He addressed fan backlash accusing him of avoiding the fight with Gane, explaining the harsh reality that fighters are seen as mere entertainment and often misunderstood by fans who have never experienced professional fighting.
- Aspinall emphasized the mental and physical challenges MMA fighters face, criticizing uninformed fans who judge fighters' toughness without understanding the sport's demands.
