Tom Aspinall Furious After No Contest

,ABU DHABI — The heavyweight title stayed with Tom Aspinall, but UFC 321’s main event ended without a winner after an accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane forced a No Contest at 4:35 of Round 1 inside Etihad Arena.

How it happened

After a brisk opening with both men having moments, Gane raised his hand to block an exchange and his fingers went into Aspinall’s eyes. Referee Jason Herzog immediately called for a pause and the cageside physician assessed the champion. Aspinall repeatedly said he could not see, and Herzog waved the bout off, ruling the foul accidental and declaring a No Contest.

Raw reactions

Visibly frustrated and covering his eye with a wet towel, Aspinall addressed the booing crowd:

“Guys I just got fcking poked knuckle deep in the eyeball… I can’t see.”

“This is bulls**t… The fight was just getting going… I can hardly open my eye. F**king double poke, both eyeballs.”

Gane apologized moments later:

“I’m very sorry for the crowd, for the fans… I’m sorry for Tom Aspinall, I’m sorry for myself, I’m really disappointed, but this is the sport.”

What it means

• Result: No Contest (accidental eye poke), 4:35 R1

• Title status: Aspinall retains the UFC heavyweight championship

• Next steps: Aspinall will undergo further medical evaluation. Given the unsatisfying finish—and the fact this was the champ’s long-awaited defense after a 15-month layoff an immediate rematch will be the obvious talking point, pending health and scheduling.

The bigger picture

Aspinall has dealt with freak misfortune before (a 2022 knee injury vs. Curtis Blaydes), and Saturday’s abrupt end denied both fighters a definitive statement. The crowd came for answers at heavyweight; instead, UFC 321’s headliner leaves the division with a new question: