The heavyweight championship bout between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane headlined UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi and ended in an unexpected and controversial no-contest.
The fight had been billed as a major test for Aspinall, who was defending the title for the first time since becoming champion following Jon Jones’s retirement. For Gane, it was another chance to claim a belt he had fallen short of twice before, adding further weight to the matchup.
Aspinall opened the contest with intent, setting a fast tempo and pressuring the French challenger. His past three fights had all ended in first-round knockouts, and he looked eager to continue that streak. Gane, however, maintained composure, using his footwork and precision striking to keep distance.
His jabs and low kicks found their mark, while he successfully fended off an early takedown attempt. The opening minutes showed both men prepared to push the pace, with neither gaining clear control.
Just under five minutes into the first round, the fight took an unfortunate turn. During an exchange, Gane’s fingers accidentally made contact with both of Aspinall’s eyes. The British champion immediately stepped back, wincing and signaling that he could not see properly.
The referee stopped the action and allowed time for medical assessment, but Aspinall was unable to continue. The referee had no option but to declare the bout a no-contest.
Aspinall was visibly frustrated in the aftermath. In his post-fight interview, he explained that his vision was blurred and that he couldn’t safely proceed. He expressed disappointment at how the fight ended, especially given the anticipation surrounding his first title defence.
Gane, clearly remorseful, apologized and said the eye poke was purely accidental. He admitted he was angry at the situation but accepted that the referee’s decision was fair under the circumstances.
UFC president Dana White addressed the incident after the event, calling it “a bad break” and confirming that a rematch will be arranged.
White noted that both fighters looked sharp before the stoppage and that the promotion intends to book the rematch as soon as possible.
The no-contest leaves the heavyweight division in an uncertain state. Aspinall retains his title, but without a successful defence officially on record. Gane remains one of the top contenders, still seeking the championship that has eluded him.
Other fighters, such as Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich, now wait to see how the situation develops. Depending on how soon the rematch happens, one of them could step in for an interim title shot if injuries or scheduling delays occur.
