Michael Bisping is raising eyebrows over Tom Aspinall’s recovery timeline following his eye injury, calling the situation “f*cking weird.” While Bisping expresses his hope for Aspinall’s swift return to the octagon, he can’t help but question the lack of clarity surrounding the heavyweight champion’s comeback.
On a recent episode of his podcast, Believe You Me, co-hosted with fellow UFC veteran Paul Felder, Bisping delved into Aspinall’s ongoing recovery from eye injuries sustained during his title bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last October. The fight ended in a no-contest, and since then, Aspinall has been sidelined, leaving fans and analysts alike in the dark about his return.
Despite sharing occasional updates, Aspinall recently mentioned he may need “another couple of months” before he can resume training. Bisping, who has personal experience with eye surgeries, expressed his confusion over Aspinall’s vague communication regarding his condition.
“I have to tread carefully here, but he mentioned he’s still not cleared to fight,” Bisping remarked. “Yet, the details have been quite unclear. If I were in his position, I would be sharing more about my recovery process, especially since he has a YouTube channel where he posts regularly. I had a serious surgery for a detached retina, and I was back in the ring sooner than it seems Aspinall is taking.”
Bisping’s own timeline reflects that he underwent surgery in 2013 and quickly returned to compete, while Aspinall has now been out of action for over six months without any scheduled title defense.
Though Bisping had previously advised caution regarding Aspinall’s injury, he now feels that the prolonged absence raises questions. “I don’t want to say it’s suspicious,” he said. “I know Tom personally; we were close at one point. He’s a great guy, but something feels off.”
Adding another layer to the situation, Bisping commented on Aspinall’s recent partnership with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. The ongoing feud between Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White has been well-documented, and Bisping is concerned that Aspinall may be caught in the middle of this promotional rivalry.
“Tom could either be stuck in a long dispute or the UFC might just decide to let him go,” Bisping speculated. “With fighters like Alex Pereira reportedly earning millions, Aspinall is missing out on significant earnings as an undefeated heavyweight champion. It’s frustrating to witness this unfold, and I can’t help but think Eddie might be using him in this situation. But what options does he really have?”
Bisping concluded with a heartfelt wish for Aspinall, emphasizing his desire to see the fighter back in action soon. “I just want to see Tom return to the octagon. He’s a genuinely nice guy, and I wish him all the best.”
As fans eagerly await more news on Aspinall’s future, one question lingers: what will it take for he heavyweight champion to finally step back into the ring?
