Back in the gym! UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall shares positive update on fighting return

It’s been a hot minute since we’ve had much positive news regarding Tom Aspinall’s recovery. That ends now, though, as Aspinall has just shared some footage of him back in the gym doing some light training.

Aspinall took some significant damage to both eyes during his aborted fight with Ciryl Gane back in October 2025. Months later, and the UFC heavyweight champ was still undergoing procedures to get proper movement back in his eyes. A recent report had him missing handshakes and getting nauseous during footwork drills.

There’s room to be hopeful, however. In a new video released on his YouTube, Aspinall revealed he’s back in the gym, even if it is for some extremely light work.

“Just been back in the gym, doing a little bit of light training,” Aspinall said. “Still waiting to get fully cleared for contact on my eye, but we are back in the gym doing a little bit.”

Video showed Aspinall punching and kicking the heavy bag, doing some pad work, and even some very light takedown and takedown defense drills.

“Buzzing to be back light training,” he commented below the video. “[Waiting] for full clearance from the doctor for contact then will be back at it for a fight.”

Aspinall has been extremely careful regarding his eye treatments, which makes sense because any undue pressure following a treatment could result in permanent damage to his sight. That careful holding back is clear in this latest video. What he’ll be able to do when he’s cleared remains a mystery, but even being back at the gym is a big step forward after five long months of being unable to do anything.