The UFC heavyweight division remains stuck in uncertainty after a chaotic and anticlimactic ending at UFC 321. What was supposed to be Tom Aspinall’s first defense of his undisputed heavyweight title turned into a controversy when his fight against Ciryl Gane was ruled a no-contest due to a brutal double eye poke.
What Happened
The incident happened with just 25 seconds remaining in the first round at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Gane accidentally jabbed both of Aspinall’s eyes during an exchange. The champion immediately signaled that something was wrong and repeatedly told the cage side doctors he couldn’t see. Unable to continue, the fight was stopped and officially declared a no-contest, allowing Aspinall to retain his title but without a meaningful victory.
Aspinall, visibly frustrated and emotional, expressed his anger to the crowd. “I just got poked knuckle-deep in my eyeball,” he said as the crowd booed. “What am I supposed to do? I can’t see.” He pointed out the replay showing both eyes being poked and said he could barely open them. Before the foul, the fight showed promise.
The Consequences
Gane’s jab was sharp and bloodied Aspinall’s nose, while Aspinall landed powerful kicks to Gane’s head, body and legs. Fans were anticipating a battle, making the abrupt ending even more disappointing.
Aspinall, 32, has been a dominant force in the division since 2020, winning most of his UFC fights in the first round. Yet his career has been plagued by delays, interim titles, and canceled matchups, mostly due to Jon Jones’ inactivity. Gane, a former Interim Champion himself, now faces another unlucky result in a championship fight.
Final Thoughts
A rematch between Aspinall and Gane in 2026 seems likely, as questions around the heavyweight division remain unanswered. Aspinall, however, continues to undergo treatment and is actively visiting doctors; we have no further news on the extent of his injury, although UFC CEO Dana White is ready to rebook a rematch shortly.
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