Joe Rogan recently expressed serious concerns about the future of UFC fighter Tom Aspinall during a discussion about the state of the UFC and the emergence of potential new stars. Rogan highlighted the lingering damage that Aspinall suffered in his fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, specifically focusing on an eye injury that has raised doubts about Aspinall’s ability to continue his career in the octagon.
During the fight with Gane, Aspinall experienced a severe eye injury after an accidental double eye poke in the opening round resulted in the bout being declared a no-contest. Aspinall immediately reported vision loss, and subsequent medical evaluations revealed bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome, a serious condition affecting the movement of the eye.
In a recent episode of his podcast, Rogan emphasized the unpredictable nature of eye injuries in combat sports, particularly in Aspinall’s case. He expressed his concerns by stating, “I mean, Tom Aspinall still can’t see. He’s got a messed-up right eyeball still. It’s really bad. The reality is, he might not ever fight again. Who knows.”
Rogan also highlighted the challenges that come with eye injuries in combat sports, emphasizing the delicate nature of the eye and the potential risks associated with surgery. He mentioned former UFC fighter Michael Bisping, who continued to compete despite suffering from blindness in one eye, as an example of the extreme measures some fighters take to continue their careers.
Guest Gable Steveson also weighed in on Aspinall’s situation during the podcast, praising Aspinall’s skills as a fighter but acknowledging the severity of his eye injury. Steveson compared Aspinall to Olympic champion Taha Akgul and expressed his belief that the UFC heavyweight division lacks depth.
Despite his talent and potential, Aspinall’s future in the UFC remains uncertain due to the lingering effects of his eye injury. As fans and fighters alike wait for updates on Aspinall’s condition, the discussion sparked by Rogan and Steveson serves as a reminder of the physical risks and challenges faced by athletes in combat sports.
In conclusion, the concerns raised by Joe Rogan and Gable Steveson about Tom Aspinall’s eye injury highlight the fragility of fighters’ careers in the UFC and the importance of prioritizing safety and well-being in combat sports. Aspinall’s future remains uncertain, but his story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers that fighters face in pursuit of their athletic goals.
