Tom Aspinall's first defence of the undisputed UFC heavyweight title ended in a no contest after a double eye poke from Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. The British champion was unable to continue following the accidental foul, which occurred with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first round. The fight was thrown out, sparking debate among fans.
Some supporters have accused Aspinall of quitting, suggesting he sought a way out after realising he would lose. However, such claims have been labelled as 'sheer stupidity' by commentators. Replays showed two of Gane's fingers entering Aspinall's eyes, with one knuckle-deep. The Briton appeared compromised and made the right decision not to continue, given the high stakes.
UFC president Dana White indicated at the post-fight press conference that a rematch will be booked as soon as possible. The earliest realistic opportunity is likely the first major event of 2026, as the UFC debuts on Paramount+ in the US. However, scheduling conflicts with other title fights could delay the bout.
Both fighters are currently in shape, but the extent of Aspinall's eye injury remains a factor. If the damage is superficial, he could return as early as December, though the last major card of the year already has a headline bout. A double-stacked card in early 2026 has been suggested as a sensible solution.
