British UFC star Tom Aspinall has issued a passionate plea for an immediate rematch with Ciryl Gane after their highly anticipated heavyweight clash ended in controversy following an accidental eye poke that stopped the fight in under a minute.
Manchester Main Event Ends in Frustration
The UFC's return to Manchester ended in bitter disappointment for hometown hero Aspinall when an inadvertent finger to the eye from French contender Gane forced the referee to halt proceedings after just 52 seconds of the first round. The incident left the capacity crowd at the AO Arena stunned and the interim champion visibly frustrated.
"It wasn't a fight," Aspinall declared in his post-fight interview. "I took a finger in the eye and I can't see. Let's run it back in Paris, let's do it."
Medical Assessment Halts Championship Bout
Following the accidental foul, cageside doctors thoroughly examined Aspinall's eye and determined the British fighter couldn't continue safely. Under UFC rules, because the foul was accidental and occurred before the second round, the bout was declared a no contest rather than a victory for either fighter.
The premature ending robbed fans of what promised to be a technical masterclass between two of the division's most skilled heavyweights. Both fighters had shown mutual respect during fight week, with Aspinall praising Gane's unique movement and striking ability.
Aspinall Pushes for Paris Redemption
Rather than dwelling on the unfortunate circumstances, Aspinall immediately called for the rematch to take place in Gane's home country of France. "Let's run it back in Paris, let's do it," he insisted, showing his willingness to fight on enemy territory to settle the score properly.
The callout sets up a compelling narrative for UFC matchmakers, potentially positioning the rematch for the UFC's next event in France. Gane, a former interim champion himself, has headlined multiple events in his home country and draws massive crowds at the Accor Arena in Paris.
What's Next for the Heavyweight Division?
The inconclusive result leaves the UFC's heavyweight picture somewhat murky. Current champion Jon Jones continues to recover from injury, while Stipe Miocic awaits his return. An immediate Aspinall-Gane rematch would provide clarity in the title contention landscape and give both fighters the proper conclusion their skills deserve.
UFC CEO Dana White and matchmakers now face the decision of whether to book the rematch immediately or explore other options for both heavyweights. Given the circumstances and both fighters' willingness to run it back, the Paris solution appears increasingly likely.
