Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane capped off Saturday’s UFC 321 Pay-Per-View in Abu Dhabi, the promotion’s heavyweight title on the line.
It wasn’t the ending anyone had hoped for. The fight came to a close early to the disappointment of fans and those watching at home, an eye poke rendering Tom Aspinall unable to continue.
With Jon Jones retiring earlier this year (then immediately walking said retirement back), Aspinall had found himself upgraded to undisputed champ status. Depending on how you looked at his win over Curtis Blaydes as interim champ, UFC 321 could be seen as the start of a new heavyweight era. Oh what could have been.
An early straight left hand by Gane bloodied Aspinall’s nose, while the French heavyweight defended an early takedown. Gane’s jab was a factor early; Aspinall showed his versatility by firing off a spinning kick to the body. Aspinall continued to work his kicks, less flashy than the spinning attack, while Gane relied on his jab and some low kicks of his own. In the final minute, Aspinall landed a left hand, and fanned on a heavier left. An eye poke halted the action with less than 30 seconds on the clock, Aspinall the victim.
Bummer of a way to end a fight. #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/7lmGecu5cz
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) October 25, 2025
With the doctor checking on him, Aspinall could be overheard saying he was struggling to see. Replay showed the heavyweight champ had actually been poked in both eyes simultaneously. After several minutes, Aspinall was still unable to continue, struggling with his vision, and the fight was waved off.
The crowd was not happy, nor was Aspinall at their response. “I just got poked knuckle deep in the fuckin eyeball. Why are you booing?” he questioned, noting that he hadn’t poked himself. “This is bullshit. The fight was just getting going. Complete bullshit. I’m pissed off.”
Gane, who looked to have been winning the opening frame, will no doubt want to rebook this one soon. Aspinall, meanwhile, retains his heavyweight title due to the no contest.
Official Result: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane ends in a No Contest (accidental eye poke), Round 1, 4:35
