Aspinall-Gane Heavyweight Title Fight Ends in No-Contest After Accidental Eye Poke
A frustrating and unprecedented end to Saturday’s UFC 321 main event in Abu Dhabi has left the heavyweight title picture in disarray, as champion Tom Aspinall’s first title defense against challenger Ciryl Gane concluded in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke.
The bout, which began competitively, was halted at 4:35 of the opening round after Gane inadvertently poked Aspinall in the right eye during an exchange. Despite being given five minutes to recover, Aspinall informed referee Jason Herzog he was unable to continue, leading to the immediate stoppage and his subsequent transport to a local hospital. This marks the first time in UFC history a title fight has ended in a no-contest as a result of an accidental foul.
“This is bulls—, the fight was just getting going,” Aspinall reportedly stated, expressing his frustration with the outcome. “Complete bulls—. I’m pissed off. I can hardly open my eye.”
Gane, a former interim champion, offered a sincere apology for the incident. “I’m very sorry for that — for the crowd, for the fans, for everybody,” he said. “I’m sorry for myself. We put a lot of energy into this fight. I’m very disappointed, but this is the sport.”
UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged the disappointing conclusion but confirmed the promotion intends to rebook the matchup. “I feel the [same] way everybody feels,” White said. “Great showing, s—ty ending. Total pain in the ass [to rebook the matchup], but yes.”
The circumstances surrounding the heavyweight division have been unusual in recent years. A planned title unification bout between then-undisputed champion Jon Jones and Aspinall, who held the interim title since November 2023, fell apart when Jones announced his retirement in June. This led to Aspinall being crowned the official champion, with Saturday’s fight intended as a formal coronation.
Prior to the stoppage, the fight was proving to be a compelling contest. Aspinall attempted a takedown that Gane easily defended, and both fighters had moments of success on the feet. Gane landed a consistent jab and leg kicks, even managing to draw blood from Aspinall’s nose, while Aspinall’s grappling prowess was anticipated to be a key factor.
The only previous UFC title fight to end in a no-contest occurred in 2017, involving a light heavyweight championship bout between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier. That result was overturned due to a positive drug test from Jones, a different circumstance than the accidental foul witnessed at UFC 321.
Aspinall, representing Salford, England, has seen limited Octagon time since the start of 2023, participating in only three fights totaling a combined 3:22. This equates to an average of approximately one minute of fight time per year over the last three years, largely due to the uncertainty surrounding Jones’s status.
The lack of clear contenders in the heavyweight division further complicates the situation. Aspinall’s dominance, including victories over three of the top four-ranked fighters, has contributed to this scarcity. The immediate rematch with Gane appears to be the most logical next step, though a definitive timeframe remains unclear. The UFC faces the challenge of navigating a title picture impacted by unforeseen circumstances and a champion who has had limited opportunities to solidify his reign.
