Accidental Eye Poke Halts UFC 321 Main Event: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane Ends in a ‘No Contest’
Tom Aspinall versus Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title was unquestionably one of the most highly anticipated matchups. Bookmakers favored Aspinall to defeat Gane, considering his striking power, wrestling skills, and momentum as a newly crowned heavyweight champion. However, the bout unexpectedly ended in a ‘No Contest,’ shocking fans and leaving the outcome unresolved, creating controversy across the MMA world.
This fight represented Aspinall’s very first title defense after earning the championship following Jon Jones’ official retirement from UFC. Given Aspinall’s history of early finishes, fans eagerly anticipated seeing him replicate those decisive performances against the former interim champion. Both fighters began aggressively, engaging in technical exchanges without retreating, showing confidence and skill in the opening moments of combat.
At the 4:35 mark of the first round, the referee Jason Herzog halted the fight due to an accidental eye poke by Gane. Aspinall immediately stopped and held on to his right eye and was given several minutes to recover. However, the champion failed to continue, and the fight was declared a no-contest, resulting in severe booing from fans.
Aspinall was disappointed and didn’t appreciate the negative energy from the Abu Dhabi crowd. “What the f***. Why you booing? What am I supposed to do about it, I didn’t do the poke. I can’t see. Complete bullsh*t, I’m pissed off. I can hardly open my eye,” said Tom Aspinall in the Octagon interview. Ciryl Gane couldn’t believe the decision and broke down in the middle of the Octagon, and also apologised to fans. The fighter had high hopes of winning the heavyweight title in his third attempt, but didn’t expect such a result.
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane rematch confirmed
Eye pokes in the UFC are a frequent hazard, often unintentionally caused during close striking exchanges, significantly disrupting fights. Eye pokes have dramatically impacted several high-stakes bouts, with fighters being forced to pause or even lose matches. Prevention strategies include modifying glove design, adjusting finger padding, and enforcing stricter refereeing to reduce accidental eye contact.
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Rule enforcement, glove redesign, and education could collectively decrease the frequency of eye pokes, preserving fighter safety and match integrity. Medical protocols require immediate attention, but long-term vision risk remains, highlighting the need for both regulation and fighter awareness. Following the recent eye poke at UFC 321, Aspinall was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.
Following the event, UFC President Dana White spoke to the media, confirming an immediate title rematch between the two heavyweights. White praised Gane’s performance, emphasizing that the rematch promises excitement and a chance for both fighters to settle unfinished business. It will be intriguing to observe when these elite heavyweights return to the Octagon.
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