https://goniomma.pages.dev/topics/injuries/Injuries & withdrawals stories from gonioMMA.enFri, 26 Jun 2026 11:08:04 +0000https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cx2vp12jy9do2026-06-26:injuries:https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cx2vp12jy9doFri, 26 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0000Tom Aspinall (15-3) announced he is back in full training for the first time since October's UFC 321 no-contest, where repeated eye pokes from Ciryl Gane left him with double vision and required surgery on both eyes. He says his team is in talks with the UFC and referenced a 12-week camp, hinting at a return window around September. Gane holds the interim title after knocking out Alex Pereira at the White House event and has called for the unification bout; UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi is floated as a likelier landing spot than the non-PPV UFC Paris card. Why it matters: This is the fight that unfreezes a heavyweight division stuck in limbo for most of a year. The wrinkle is Aspinall's new advisor Eddie Hearn, who has publicly urged him not to take the rematch under his current UFC deal.https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/06/25/sean-strickland-reveals-date-for-first-title-defense-after-khamzat-chimaev-accused-him-of-running2026-06-26:injuries:https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/06/25/sean-strickland-reveals-date-for-first-title-defense-after-khamzat-chimaev-accused-him-of-runningFri, 26 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0000Sean Strickland says he's eyeing a December return for the first defense of his second middleweight reign, which would make a third fight in 2026 after beating Anthony Hernandez and dethroning Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Strickland fought Chimaev through a torn shoulder that still needs to heal. Chimaev has accused him of 'running' from a rematch, while Nassourdine Imavov also waits on a title shot. Why it matters: A December timeline pushes any Chimaev rematch or Imavov shot to year's end, leaving the 185-pound title picture in a holding pattern through the fall.