Tom Aspinall returns to provide updates on his eye injury. On October 25, his fight against heavyweight champion Cyril Jean, at UFC 321, was halted after he suffered a stab wound to the eye. He was hospitalized the night of the fight and has been sharing news about the case ever since.
On Sunday (30/11), Aspinall posted his latest exam results on his social media profile. Six infections were found, including the development of Brown’s syndrome. The rare condition indicates restricted eye movement, which is why the fighter must stay away from the octagons, with no plans to return.
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Tom Aspinall and Cyril Ginn faced each other in the headline fight at UFC 321
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Aspinall was poked in the eye
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Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion
Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images
“Depending on the clinical course, targeted steroid injections around the eye or surgical intervention may be necessary to treat persistent limited mobility if symptoms do not improve. Continued monitoring with a specialist is necessary and remains ongoing,” the document published by Aspinall described. (See the full translated report at the end of the article.)
Aspinal x gene
Aspinall was subjected to a wave of attacks by fans and fellow athletes who accused him of faking the injury to escape the duel. This is because the fight referee indicated that the print was accidental.
The fight was the main event of UFC 321, which was held in Abu Dhabi. Cyril Jean was the contender for the heavyweight belt, but an illegal strike stopped the fight in the first round.
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Watch Tom Aspinall’s translated report:
Summary of clinical findings
After sustaining a bilateral finger-jabbing injury to the eyes during a UFC bout in October 2025, the patient was diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown syndrome, which indicates a significant disruption of the tendon-trochlear complex of the superior oblique muscle. Clinically shows:
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Persistent diplopia in multiple gaze positions, including sideways and upward gaze.
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Blurred vision and photophobia after trauma.
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Marked restriction of height in adduction in both eyes, confirmed on orthotopic evaluation.
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Decrease in bilateral visual acuity.
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Severe decrease in bilateral peripheral visual field, according to the Humphrey visual field test.
Pictures and investigations showed:
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Outcomes that require constant monitoring, with no specific structural explanation for the degree of functional disability.
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Computed tomography (CT) initially raised concern for an anomaly of the medial orbital wall.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not show a severe skeletal abnormality that would explain the motor impairment or visual symptoms.
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Intraocular pressures and anterior segment findings did not determine the origin of the functional limitation.
This is a clinically significant bilateral ocular trauma, requiring continuous specialist-led monitoring. Mr Aspinall has not yet been medically cleared for combat duty.
Future management: Depending on the clinical course, targeted steroid injections around the eye or surgical intervention may be necessary to treat persistent limited motion if symptoms do not resolve.
Overall, the clinical picture remains consistent with bilateral large painful Brown syndrome, associated with persistent double vision, restricted eye movement, decreased visual function, and significant visual field loss. Symptoms remained unresolved until the end of November 2025, and continued monitoring with a specialist is necessary and ongoing.