Dricus Du Plessis Calls Tom Aspinall’s Extended UFC Layoff "Demoralizing"
Dricus du Plessis has a feeling that Tom Aspinall's extended time away from the octagon is not doing him any good as he recovers from his eye injury.
In mixed martial arts, momentum is everything. For former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall, an unexpected medical ordeal has completely stalled what looked like a dominant reign at 265 pounds. What was supposed to be an active, long-term title run turned into an agonizing year on the sidelines, and former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis believes the mental toll is becoming the toughest opponent Aspinall has faced yet.
Speaking recently on the Fight Forecast podcast, du Plessis shared his perspective on Aspinall’s frustrating layoff. The 33-year-old British powerhouse hasn't fought since October 2025 at UFC 321, when his bout against Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest following accidental eye pokes. Aspinall was later diagnosed with bilateral Brown’s syndrome, a rare condition affecting eye muscle movement. After undergoing multiple surgeries and suffering a subsequent reinjury during training, Aspinall ultimately decided to vacate his belt to avoid stalling the division.
The Mental Strain of Staying Inactive
Watching an elite athlete in his athletic prime stuck waiting on doctor approvals is tough for fight fans, but du Plessis emphasized how grueling that wait is for the fighter himself.
“He’s one of the best,” du Plessis said. “He’s young, but not that young anymore. To see him spend his prime years on the sidelines because of injuries is always sad. I don’t think mentally it was that bad until now. Now it’s been a year and he still can’t fight. That is so demoralizing.”
Du Plessis pointed out that while physical damage heals over time, repeatedly building up for a fight camp only to face another roadblock creates a unique psychological weight.
Though the UFC elevated Gane to undisputed champion to keep the weight class moving, Aspinall maintains that retirement is off the table. He remains focused on making a full recovery, but with no firm timetable for his return, fans and fellow contenders are left waiting to see when one of the heavyweight division’s absolute best will step back into the Octagon.
