Tom Aspinall’s initial title defense as a heavyweight champion took a turn for the worse when his bout against Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest.
The long-awaited clash between the two fighters finally happened in Abu Dhabi, with Aspinall entering as the favorite. Surprisingly, it was Gane who started strong, landing sharp jabs that troubled the champion. However, the fight took an unexpected turn when Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes. Despite being given five minutes to recover, the referee, Jason Herzog, halted the fight, ruling it a no contest to the disappointment of many spectators.
This event marked Aspinall’s UFC comeback, marred by the eye poke incident, following his previous victory against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024. The British fighter had faced challenges in organizing a unification bout with Jon Jones, who ultimately retired without committing to the fight. Subsequently, Aspinall was elevated to undisputed champion, setting up a tough matchup against Gane for his first title defense.
The fight between Aspinall and Gane at UFC 321 proved to be a significant test for the British champion, with the no contest outcome adding to the drama of the event. Despite the setback, Aspinall remains determined to continue his reign as the heavyweight champion.