UFC Legend Suggests Promotion Should Move On With Heavyweight Division Amid Tom Aspinall Injury Layoff: “The Show Must Go On”
A seasoned UFC veteran believes Tom Aspinall must come to terms with the promotion’s hard-nosed approach.
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion has been out of action since a controversial eye poke by Ciryl Gane during their title bout at UFC 321 in October, which ended in a no-contest. Aspinall later revealed the injury was severe enough to be diagnosed as traumatic bilateral Brown’s syndrome, leaving him with double vision and restricted eye movement.
Last week, the 32-year-old Englishman underwent double eye surgery to address injuries to both eyes as he works toward resuming his career, though it remains unclear when he will be medically cleared to return to the Octagon.
Amid the uncertainty, rumors began circulating that Tom Aspinall might be asked to vacate his UFC heavyweight title while he remained in limbo, though those claims were later dismissed. Still, UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping believes the heavyweight title situation will be resolved soon, irrespective of Aspinall’s situation.
Michael Bisping Calls For Alex Pereira Heavyweight Title Shot With Tom Aspinall Indefinitely Sidelined
During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Michael Bisping addressed Tom Aspinall’s injury layoff and the ripple effect it has had on the UFC heavyweight division. “The Count” stressed that the reigning champion isn’t to blame for the situation, but noted that the UFC still has to keep the division moving and its operations running in his absence.
“This is the world that we live in, Bisping said. “The show must go on. I went through multiple eye surgeries. I wasn’t in constant communication with the UFC… I’m not talking sh*t, by the way. They’ve got a business to run. They’ve got a worldwide, massive corporation to run, putting on the best fights on the planet, OK? And if someone gets hurt, well then that’s a real shame, but the show goes on.”
The UFC legend made it clear he wasn’t trying to take a shot at Aspinall and even praised him, but from the promotion’s perspective, he believes bringing in reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira to move up and fill the gap would be a huge boost for the division.
“I understand that he’s pissed off and he’s going through a lot right now. Just ignore all of that sh*t. Just come back and win your next fight, dominate the next few, make tons of money, and retire. But in the meantime, let’s get back to Alex Pereira. If [Tom Aspinall] isn’t fighting anytime soon, and it certainly looks like he isn’t fighting anytime soon, then this, ‘1-2-3 and go’ from Alex Pereira to me, is clear as day.”
