Ismael Bonfim Recounts Four-Day Vision Loss Post-Orbital Fracture, Supports Tom Aspinall's Stance on UFC 321 Eye Injury Stoppage

Las Vegas, NV – Brazilian lightweight contender Ismael Bonfim, preparing for his return to the octagon this Saturday in Las Vegas, has offered a poignant perspective on the controversial double eye poke incident involving Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Bonfim, who himself suffered a significant eye injury resulting in a doctor stoppage earlier this year, staunchly supports Aspinall’s decision not to continue the bout, drawing from his own experience of being unable to see for four days following a mid-fight orbital bone fracture. His commentary arrives amidst ongoing debate and criticism directed at Aspinall, the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, despite him being the recipient of the illegal blows.

The UFC 321 main event, which took place on February 17, 2024, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, saw interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall defend his title against former interim champion Ciryl Gane. The highly anticipated clash ended abruptly in the first round after Gane inadvertently delivered a double eye poke to Aspinall. The foul, which left Aspinall clearly distressed and unable to continue, resulted in the fight being declared a No Contest (NC). Despite the undeniable illegality of the strike and Aspinall’s evident impairment, segments of the mixed martial arts community and fan base voiced criticism, suggesting Aspinall should have attempted to recover and continue fighting. This reaction underscores a persistent tension within combat sports regarding fighter welfare versus the expectation for athletes to endure extreme conditions. Aspinall, who had secured the interim title with a dominant knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023, subsequently retained his championship status due to the no-contest ruling, though the inconclusive result left the heavyweight division’s immediate future somewhat muddled.

Ismael "Marreta" Bonfim’s empathy for Aspinall stems from a remarkably similar, albeit legally incurred, injury that sidelined him earlier in 2024. On February 10, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 236, Bonfim (10-4-0 MMA, 1-2 UFC) faced Nazim Sadykhov (10-1-0 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in a lightweight contest. During the first round, Bonfim absorbed a powerful question mark kick to the face. The impact immediately compromised his vision in his right eye, leading to a doctor stoppage between rounds. Medical examinations days later confirmed a fractured orbital bone, a severe injury that highlighted the brutal realities of professional fighting.

Recounting the immediate aftermath of his fight, Bonfim revealed the profound impact on his vision. "I couldn’t see out of my right eye," Bonfim told MMA Fighting. "When I went back to my corner I looked at my brother [Gabriel Bonfim] and said, ‘I can’t see anything.’ He was like, ‘Calm down, calm down, it will come back.’ I only started seeing again on Wednesday. I fought Saturday, and could only see 100 percent again on Wednesday. It was all blurry on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday." This four-day period of impaired vision underscores the seriousness of such head trauma and offers a compelling counter-narrative to those who might downplay the severity of eye injuries in the heat of competition. An orbital fracture, which involves a break in the bones surrounding the eye, can lead to double vision, sinking of the eyeball, and potential long-term complications if not properly managed, necessitating careful medical assessment and recovery.

Related News :

Bonfim candidly admitted his perspective shifted dramatically after experiencing such an injury firsthand. "Before it happened to me I would probably say, ‘Oh, no big deal, [Aspinall] can come back,’" Bonfim stated. "But only after it happened to me I saw it’s such a sensitive part of our body. Especially the way Ciryl Gane did, poking both eyes. Brother, you can’t go back. If you go back you’ve already lost 50 percent of the fight." This sentiment highlights a critical aspect of fighter safety: the unique vulnerability of the eyes and the irreversible damage that can occur. A double eye poke, as Bonfim correctly points out, fundamentally compromises a fighter’s ability to defend themselves and execute their strategy, making continuation not only dangerous but also unfairly disadvantageous.

The Brazilian fighter emphasized the paramount importance of respecting the medical and athletic assessments in such situations. "We have to respect the doctor and the fighter’s opinion because only the fighter knows," he continued. "Sometimes the coach, the doctor, even the referee will put some pressure [to continue], but only the ones who got hit or poked in the eye will truly know if they can go back or not." Bonfim’s assertion champions the autonomy and well-being of the athlete, suggesting that external pressures, while common in high-stakes sports, should not override the immediate physical reality experienced by the fighter. The role of the ringside doctor in determining a fighter’s ability to safely continue is a cornerstone of combat sports regulations, designed to prevent severe, potentially career-ending, or life-threatening injuries. Bonfim’s case, while stemming from a legal strike, resulted in a medically necessary stoppage, which he now views as the "right call to stop the fight because I could make it worse in the second round."

Bonfim’s loss to Sadykhov was a significant setback, but one he views as a "lesson learned." He recounted feeling in complete control of the fight until the decisive kick, a common experience for fighters who suffer sudden, debilitating injuries. The psychological impact of such an injury, compounded by the inability to immediately return to training and competition, can be substantial. Bonfim initially volunteered to fight less than a month after his injury but was correctly forced to the sidelines for a longer period to ensure proper healing of the orbital fracture. Recovery from such an injury typically involves a period of rest, avoiding activities that could put pressure on the eye, and gradual return to physical exertion, often under strict medical supervision.

Now, fully recovered and feeling "100 percent," Bonfim is eager to re-establish his presence in the lightweight division. His preparation for his upcoming bout against Chris Padilla has been thorough, benefiting from his involvement in his undefeated brother Gabriel Bonfim’s (15-0-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) recent training camps. Gabriel, a rising star in the welterweight division, notably prepared for a July bout against Stephen Thompson and is currently gearing up for the main event of UFC Vegas 111, where he is scheduled to face Randy Brown (18-5-0 MMA, 12-5 UFC). Training alongside his brother, a high-level competitor, has undoubtedly provided Ismael with a strong, supportive environment for his own return.

Ismael Bonfim’s opponent this Saturday at the UFC APEX is Chris Padilla (10-6-0 MMA, 1-1 UFC). While Bonfim acknowledged Padilla as a "tough guy," he demonstrated a distinctive approach to fight preparation. "I haven’t seen much of [his videos], though," Bonfim admitted. "To be honest, I don’t like to watch stuff. I leave it to my coaches. Sometimes we study our opponents so much we lose what we do best out of worry of what they do. I’ll go back to being the Ismael of old, aggressive, going for the knockout at all times." This strategy, while unconventional in an era of meticulous opponent analysis, speaks to Bonfim’s confidence in his own offensive capabilities and his desire to impose his fighting style. Padilla, who made his UFC debut in 2023, holds a professional record indicating a durable and experienced fighter, making Bonfim’s "aggressive" approach a calculated risk. For Bonfim, this fight represents an opportunity to rebound from his first UFC loss and demonstrate that the orbital fracture is firmly behind him, paving his path forward in the highly competitive lightweight division. His vow to finish Padilla inside the distance underscores his ambition and reinforces his commitment to returning to his dominant, aggressive form.