Aspinall Gane fight ends in no-contest at UFC 321 Abu Dhabi

Aspinall Gane fight at UFC 321 ruled no-contest after accidental eye poke, leaving Tom Aspinall retaining his heavyweight title in Abu Dhabi. The highly anticipated heavyweight clash at UFC 321 between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended abruptly in a rare and controversial no-contest, leaving fans and fighters alike disappointed. The bout, held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, promised fireworks but was stopped in the very first round due to an accidental double eye poke.

Aspinall Retains Title Despite Early Stoppage

Britain’s Tom Aspinall, the reigning heavyweight champion, was unable to continue after suffering from a severe eye poke from France’s Ciryl Gane. The referee called a timeout at 4:35 of the first round, but despite the five-minute recovery period, Aspinall’s vision did not improve. By 4:09 into the stoppage, the officials officially ruled the fight a no-contest.

This marks Aspinall’s first title defense as the undisputed heavyweight champion, and while he retains the belt, the outcome left both fighters frustrated.

“What am I supposed to do about it? I can’t see,” Aspinall said in the octagon, visibly disappointed as the crowd reacted with boos.

Gane, who appeared equally frustrated, expressed regret for the accident. “I’m very sorry about that,” he admitted.

Fight Recap: Fast Start and Competitive Exchanges

The match started with high energy from both fighters. Aspinall immediately launched heavy strikes, while Gane displayed his trademark footwork and precision, countering effectively in the center of the cage.

• Gane’s sharp jab managed to bloody the champion early in the round.
• Aspinall attempted a takedown, but Gane defended it cleanly.
• Both fighters exchanged strikes aggressively until the accidental eye poke brought the fight to an unexpected halt.

Despite the short duration, the fight showcased Aspinall’s power and Gane’s tactical skill, leaving fans speculating on a potential rematch.

Co-Main Event: Mackenzie Dern Captures Strawweight Title

In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern (16-5-0) claimed the vacant UFC strawweight title with a unanimous decision over top contender Virna Jandiroba (22-4-0). Both fighters suffered visible damage to their right eyes, but Dern’s precise striking and consistent left-hand attacks secured her victory.

Emotionally overwhelmed, the Brazilian fighter dedicated the win to her six-year-old daughter, Moa, who joined her in the cage for the championship celebration.

“It feels amazing. This is for Moa,” Dern said tearfully.

Other Notable Results at UFC 321

• Umar Nurmagomedov (19-1-0) defeated Mario Bautista (16-3-0) via unanimous decision in a top-ranked bantamweight battle.
• Alexander Volkov (39-11-0) earned a split decision win over Jailton Almeida (22-4-0) in the heavyweight division.
• Azamat Murzakanov (16-0-0) secured a first-round stoppage against Aleksandar Rakic (14-6-0), extending his undefeated streak to six consecutive wins in the light heavyweight division.

What’s Next for Aspinall and Gane?

With the fight ending in a no-contest, UFC fans are already calling for an immediate rematch between Aspinall and Gane. Both fighters have proven their skills and determination, making a rematch one of the most anticipated events in the heavyweight division.

Aspinall will likely focus on recovery and training, while Gane looks to bounce back and reclaim his position as a top contender.