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Tom Aspinall’s three-word update hints at possible UFC return

Originally posted on HITC | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 2:13 PM ET

There could be encouraging news on the horizon for the UFC heavyweight champion’s return to action.

Tom Aspinall hasn’t fought since his title bout against Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi last October, when he suffered eye pokes in both eyes.

The fight was ruled a no-contest because of those fouls, but Aspinall had bigger worries than just the result that night.

He needed surgery on both eyes following the injuries, and there were serious questions about whether he’d fight again. But recent signs from the champ suggest he might be getting closer to a comeback.

Tom Aspinall drops ‘back to business’ hint on Instagram

Aspinall had double eye surgery earlier this year to address the injuries from Gane’s fouls, and at the time, getting back into the UFC wasn’t even a consideration.

The injuries haven’t just kept him out of fighting – they’ve also made daily life difficult for him.

But despite those setbacks, a recent post on social media has fans thinking he might be closer to a return than many expected.

He shared a photo of himself boarding a private jet with the caption “Back to business,” which quickly caught the attention of fight fans.

UFC 326 is set for Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and there’s been speculation that Aspinall is heading there to discuss his future plans with UFC officials.

This post comes just days after Alex Pereira vacated his light heavyweight title, sparking more talk about potential matchups, including rumors of a possible bout against Jon Jones or an interim title fight with Gane while Aspinall has been sidelined.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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