When Tom Aspinall, UFC Heavyweight Champion from Wigan, England met Ciryl Gane, the 35‑year‑old French contender, the UFC 321Etihad Arena turned into a bizarre finish.
At 4 minutes and 35 seconds of the opening round on Saturday, October 25, 2025, an accidental eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to see out of his right eye. Referee Jason Herzog halted the bout and ruled it a no‑contest. The arena, packed with fans from the United Arab Emirates and beyond, fell silent for a heartbeat before the disappointment turned into a chorus of boos.
What Led to the Premature End?
Both fighters came out firing. Gane’s jab painted a bright red streak across Aspinall’s nose within the first thirty seconds, while Aspinall answered with thunderous calf kicks that snapped Gane’s leg a few times. By the time the eye poke occurred, the strike count was already tight: Aspinall had landed 27 of 39 total strikes, including every leg kick he threw, whereas Gane connected on 30 of 40, with an especially effective body game (9 of 11 body shots). ESPN’s fight‑center stats showed Aspinall’s head‑strike accuracy at 56 % (14 of 25) and Gane’s leg‑strike perfection at 100 % (13 of 13).
Harvey Leonard of Bloody Elbow noted that the eye contact was clearly accidental – Gane’s lead hand slipped as he tried to block a looping right hook. Aspinall tried to clear his vision, but the swelling blurred his sight enough that the referee was forced to stop the action.
Immediate Reactions From the Corner
Gane was the first to apologize, clapping his hands and saying, “I’m sorry, mate, that wasn’t on purpose.” The Frenchman’s remorse was genuine, but the crowd’s reaction was mixed; some fans shouted encouragement while others expressed frustration at the unfinished showdown.
Aspinall, visibly irritated, addressed the audience, “I came here to defend my belt. This isn’t how it should end.” He also hinted at possible “boos” being a sign that fans wanted a clean fight, not a technical stoppage. The moment was captured in a YouTube clip that quickly racked up thousands of views, many with the comment “give us a real fight next week.”
Dana White Breaks His Own Rule
UFC President Dana White took to the post‑fight press conference on Sunday, October 26, 2025, and didn’t mince words. “This was a sh*tty ending,” he said, adding that he would “never book a fight on the night of an event” – a mantra he’s famously stuck to for a decade.
Yet, in a rare policy flip‑flop, White announced an “immediate rematch” for Aspinall vs. Gane, promising a new date within the next eight weeks. Former champion and commentator Daniel Cormier was already tossing dates onto a whiteboard backstage, according to Bloody Elbow’s October 25 report.
Why This Fight Matters
Aspinall’s rise has been meteoric. After stepping up from interim champion to undisputed titleholder when Jon Jones retired in summer 2025, he made his first defense against Curtis Blaydes in Manchester, finishing the bout in under a minute. The British fighter entered UFC 321 with a 15‑3 record and odds of –450, making him a heavy favorite.
Gane, on the other hand, has been on a redemption tour. After losing title fights to Francis Ngannou in 2022 and Jon Jones in 2023, he described UFC 321 as his “last‑chance saloon.” The Frenchman’s odds of +325 reflected both his talent and the lingering doubt from those past defeats.
The no‑contest outcome leaves Aspinall as champion without a successful defense, a statistical oddity that could affect future matchmaking and pay‑per‑view expectations. For Gane, the rematch is a second lottery ticket – one that could finally get him the belt he’s chased for three years.
Impact on the Rest of the Card
While the main event stole headlines, the undercard delivered solid moments. Brazil’s Virna Jandiroba captured the vacant women’s strawweight title with a unanimous decision over Mackenzie Dern, showcasing her grappling pedigree. In the bantamweight division, Russia’s Umar Nurmagomedov edged out Mario Bautista by the same margin, adding another layer of depth to the night’s outcomes.
Heavyweight veteran Alexander Volkov fought a split‑decision win, keeping his place in the heavyweight conversation despite the chaos at the top.
What’s Next for the Heavyweight Division?
With the rematch on the books, the UFC’s heavyweight landscape could solidify around Aspinold‑Gane or open up if either fighter falters. Analysts at The Independent predict that a decisive victory for Gane could set up a trilogy with the former champion, while a clean win for Aspinall would cement his reign and possibly bring Jon Jones back into discussion as a potential legend‑to‑challenge.
Meanwhile, the promotion’s scheduling team is juggling other heavyweight contenders – the likes of Stipe Miocic and Jairzinho Rozenstruik – but the focus remains on delivering that promised showdown no later than early 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Eye‑pokes, while rare, can instantly halt a bout and alter championship trajectories.
- Dana White breaking his “no‑same‑night‑rematch” rule underscores how much the UFC values a clean finish for a marquee fight.
- The immediate rematch offers both fighters a chance to settle the score without the cloud of controversy.
- Statistically, the fight was neck‑and‑neck, making the unfinished outcome feel even more unsatisfying for fans.
- The heavyweight division remains one of the sport’s most unpredictable arenas, with titles changing hands faster than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the no‑contest affect Tom Aspinall’s championship status?
A no‑contest leaves the title with the current holder, so Aspinall remains undisputed heavyweight champion. However, because he didn’t defend the belt, the UFC will likely push the rematch quickly to give him a legitimate defense on his record.
Will the rematch be scheduled for the same venue?
Dana White hasn’t confirmed the location yet, but early reports suggest the UFC may keep the fight at Etihad Arena to capitalize on the existing ticket sales and regional broadcast deals.
What are the financial implications for both fighters?
Both athletes were paid their show money for UFC 321, but win bonuses were voided. The immediate rematch promises a fresh win‑bonus pool, and the buzz could drive higher pay‑per‑view buys, potentially increasing each fighter’s share by several hundred thousand dollars.
How common are eye‑poke incidents in MMA?
While accidental eye pokes happen occasionally – about 2‑3 % of UFC fights each year involve a stoppage for eye‑related issues – they rarely end a championship bout in the first round, making this case stand out.
What does this mean for the heavyweight division’s ranking?
If Aspinall wins the rematch, he solidifies his #1 spot, pushing contenders like Stipe Miocic and Jairzinho Rozenstruik further down the ladder. A Gane victory would shuffle the top three and likely set up a trilogy with former champion Jon Jones, should that storyline revive.
