Tom Aspinall provides detailed injury update
UFC heavyweight star Tom Aspinall has given fans a positive update on his recovery from injury after revealing he's back to full-contact sparring.
The British prospect was set for the biggest night of his career when he main-evented the UFC London card last July versus Curtis Blaydes. Unfortunately, the fight ended after just 15 seconds when Aspinall collapsed to the floor after throwing a kick at Blaydes.
Tom Aspinall lands a leg kick then falls to the ground in pain, ending the #UFCLondon main event.
Curtis Blaydes wins via TKO. https://t.co/GDJcOmyXHW
It was later revealed that the Manchester-born fighter had torn his meniscus and MCL and suffered damage to his ACL, which required surgery. Thankfully, the 29-year-old looks to be returning to full fitness as he prepares for his UFC comeback. Tom Aspinall wrote on Instagram:
"Injury update: I am now back full sparring at long last. Although my last fight was a complete sh*t show, the stuff we were working on in training camps has now become second nature and has implemented nicely into my game to make big improvements."
The No.6-ranked heavyweight followed up on his Instagram Story with footage of him sparring and explaining some of the things he's been working on during his recovery.
"Staying calm while in a bad position with a big strong guy. Waiting for the correct moment and scrambling to a good position/to standing."
"Controlling the distance properly where I can land strikes effectively and be prepared in the perfect position to defend takedown attempts."
Tom Aspinall refuses to rule out UFC 286 return
Tom Aspinall is currently doing everything he can to return to the octagon as soon as possible and has refused to rule out a potential return at UFC 286.
UFC 286 features Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman's trilogy bout for the welterweight title and will take place at London's O2 Arena, where Aspinall fought twice in 2022.
Despite still recovering from a serious injury, Aspinal is vying to appear in front of his home fans once again. According to Sun Sports journalist Chisanga Malata, the 29-year-old stated he could be ready in just 14 weeks:
"I'm not ruling it out. At the minute it's still like 14-15 weeks away. But can I get ready in 14 weeks? The answer is yes."
Tom Aspinall is refusing to rule out a fight at UFC 286
🚨Tom Aspinall is refusing to rule out a fight at UFC 286🚨
"I'm not ruling it out. At the minute it's still like 14-15 weeks away."
"But can I get ready in 14 weeks? The answer is yes."
Aspinall's dad doesn't want him on the card and he says his knee has to "be one million %" https://t.co/krZUXX9WEn
Malata added that he had spoken to Aspinall's father, a member of the heavyweight fighter's coaching team, who would only allow his son to compete if the knee was fully healed.