TOM ASPINALL has given a grim timeline for his UFC return and broken his silence on the prospect of an interim heavyweight title being introduced.
The Atherton assassin is still dealing with the effects of the horror double eye poke he suffered in his maiden title defence, which ended in a no-contest, against Ciryl Gane last October.
Aspinall, who was diagnosed with Brown’s Syndrome as a result of the nasty pokes, underwent surgery before the turn of the New Year and is set to have a second one later this month.
And he admits he doesn’t know when doctors will give him the all-clear to resume training let alone return to the cage.
He told UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett: “It’s been a bit of a long process. With other injuries, they just fix them straight away.
“With eyes, they try to let them — because it’s obviously risky — they try to let them heal naturally.
“So we’re getting surgery… They’re keeping me out for a little bit, not sure how long just yet though.
“I’ve got a meeting about it soon. It’s just been a slow process. It’s been a nightmare, to be honest.”
The uncertainty over Aspinall’s future has led to rumblings of the reintroduction of the interim title, which the Brit held for nearly two years.
Two-weight UFC champion Alex Pereira has been tipped to make his long-awaited move up to heavyweight against Frenchman Gane and challenge for the belt.
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And Aspinall, like many MMA fans, believes a clash between the former kickboxer and Muay Thai stars would be a striking fan’s delight.
He said of the bout: “It would be a good fight. I think it’s a good stylistic matchup.”
Aspinall is champing at the bit to get fighting fit and “beat the living daylights” out of Gane, who he believes repeatedly ignored warnings from referee Jason Herzog about his outstretched fingers.
He told One On One MMA: “I’m ready to get back, but my health has gotta be right first.
“I ain’t gonna do anything compromised. I’m not gonna let my ego take over.
“Everything’s got to be right. So when the time is right, however that looks, whenever that is, that’s the plan.
“The plan is to go back and beat the living daylights out of Ciryl Gane.
“But right now the short-term plan is to get back to where I should be, get back in the gym.”
