Tom Aspinall’s first heavyweight title fight ended in controversy as it was ruled a no contest after he suffered eye pokes from Ciryl Gane. This marked a challenging year for the British fighter, who last competed in July 2024, swiftly defeating Curtis Blaydes.
Initially set to face Jon Jones, Aspinall was elevated to undisputed champion after Jones retired. Gane posed a significant challenge, but the fight was halted in the first round due to an unintentional eye poke, allowing Aspinall to retain his title.
In the lead-up to UFC 321, questions arose about whether Gane’s bout with Aspinall would be his final chance at the 265lb title. Gane, despite previous failed attempts, aimed to seize this opportunity following his win over Volkov.
During the fight, Gane displayed agility and speed, targeting Aspinall with jabs and kicks. The match took a turn when Aspinall was accidentally poked in the eyes, leading to a halt in the action and concerns about his vision.
Following the fight, Aspinall expressed frustration over the incident, while Gane apologized for the outcome and expressed disappointment. Aspinall was taken to the hospital post-fight, with UFC President Dana White indicating a desire for a rematch.
In other UFC 321 bouts, Mackenzie Dern claimed the women’s strawweight title, Umar Nurmagomedov secured a victory, and Alexander Volkov emerged victorious. The event kicked off with a light-heavyweight clash won by Azamat Murzakanov.
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