Tom Aspinall walked into UFC 321 ready to defend his championship for the first time, but he left Etihad Arena without a result — and with one eye nearly swollen shut.
The fight, expected to cement Aspinall’s rise as the division’s dominant force, ended at 4:35 of Round 1 after Ciryl Gane’s outstretched fingers caught the champion directly in the eye during an exchange. Referee Jason Herzog halted the action as cageside doctors checked the damage, but Aspinall repeatedly told officials he couldn’t see, leaving Herzog no choice but to wave off the contest as an accidental foul.
Because it came so early, the bout was declared a no-contest, allowing Aspinall to retain his belt but offering no closure for either man or the fans in attendance.
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane was ruled a No Contest after Aspinall could not continue from an eye poke.
Aspinall retains his heavyweight title. #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/jM2mK1rvdl
— ESPN (@espn) October 25, 2025
Due to an accidental foul this fight has been declared a no contest. #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/geB3tGevL8
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
Tom Aspinall remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world after the #UFC321 bout with Ciryl Gane was declared a No Contest after an accidental foul.
[ B2YB @HSpecialSurgery ] pic.twitter.com/RQB6n8HuN8
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
Aspinall’s Frustration Boils Over
The champion was clearly in pain — and angry — as he addressed the Abu Dhabi crowd right after the stoppage.
“Guys I just got fcking poked knuckle deep in the eyeball. Why are you booing?” Aspinall shouted. “What am I supposed to do about it? I didn’t do the fcking poke. I can’t see.”
Still covering his injured eye with a towel, the Englishman voiced his disappointment at how the anticipated matchup ended.
“This is bullshit,” Aspinall said. “The fight was just getting going. Complete bullshit. I’m pissed off. I can hardly open my eye. F*cking double poke, both eyeballs.”
The stoppage was especially bitter given that this marked Aspinall’s long-awaited return after 15 months away from competition — his last setback being a serious knee injury against Curtis Blaydes in 2022.
Gane Apologizes: “I Feel Sorry for Tom”
Ciryl Gane, who had started the round well with clean jabs and movement that caused early nose bleeding for the champion, appeared just as frustrated about the incident.
“I feel sorry, I’m very sorry about that for the crowd, for the fans,” Gane said afterward. “I’m sorry for Tom Aspinall. I’m sorry for myself. I’m really disappointed but this is the sport. I don’t know what’s going to happen for the future. We will see.”
Before the foul occurred, both fighters had been trading confidently — Aspinall pressing forward with speed and Gane countering sharply from range — until the sudden accident brought everything to a standstill.
What Happens Next for the Heavyweight Division
The result leaves the UFC heavyweight picture once again in limbo. With Jon Jones still undecided about his return and no clear challenger waiting, the promotion now faces uncertainty over its next move.
There’s a strong chance the UFC will book a rematch between Aspinall and Gane once medical checks confirm the extent of the champion’s eye injury. Aspinall will likely sit out the remainder of 2025 as he heals, making an early-2026 return most realistic.
Until then, fans are left with disappointment — and a reminder of how suddenly chaos can strike inside the Octagon.
