Dana White Questions Tom Aspinall’s Performance Against Ciryl Gane, Fans Call Out Bias
Controversy erupted following UFC 321 after Dana White’s post-fight comments about Tom Aspinall’s defeat to Ciryl Gane. In a viral clip shared by Championship Rounds on X, the UFC president stated that people had been “sleeping on Ciryl Gane” heading into the matchup and implied that Aspinall didn’t want to continue once the fight turned against him.
“He had Tom bloodied up. Tom didn’t want to continue in the fight. The rematch is very interesting,” White said, sparking an immediate backlash from fans and fighters alike.
The comment came after the fight ended in controversial fashion, with Aspinall unable to continue due to a severe eye poke. Replays clearly showed that the accidental foul left the British heavyweight unable to see properly, leading the doctor to stop the fight. Despite this, White’s statement suggested Aspinall quit under pressure — an interpretation that many in the MMA community strongly disagreed with.
Fans were quick to point out that Aspinall had been one of the UFC’s most professional and composed champions, and that questioning his heart was both unfair and inaccurate. The reaction online has been intense, with speculation growing that Dana White simply doesn’t favor Aspinall. Some even accused the UFC boss of trying to shift the narrative in Gane’s favor to set up a more marketable rematch.
Still, there’s no denying that Ciryl Gane performed impressively before the incident, using his speed and striking to frustrate Aspinall early on. However, many argue that labeling Aspinall as unwilling to continue disrespects the seriousness of the eye injury he suffered.
If the UFC books a rematch, it will be more than just a fight — it will be a battle for redemption, respect, and the chance for Tom Aspinall to silence any lingering doubts about his toughness and determination.
Recent posts
