Tom Aspinall’s debut as heavyweight champion was marred by controversy when his fight with Ciryl Gane was declared a no contest due to eye pokes. Aspinall, who last fought in July 2024 with a quick victory over Curtis Blaydes, was set to face Jon Jones in a unification bout. However, Jones retired before committing to the fight, leading to Aspinall being promoted to undisputed champion.
The highly anticipated match between Aspinall and Gane ended abruptly in the first round after an unintentional eye poke, forcing the referee to stop the fight. Despite the setback, Aspinall retained his title. Fans can stay updated on boxing and MMA news at www.alloutfighting.com.
Before UFC 321, there were doubts about whether Gane would secure the 265lb title after previous failed attempts. Aspinall entered the cage determined to impress, while Gane showed some nerves, even forgetting his cup momentarily. The fight began with Gane taking an aggressive approach, utilizing his speed and strikes to challenge Aspinall.
Midway through the round, Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in the eyes, leading to a temporary halt in the fight. Aspinall expressed frustration over the incident, stating he couldn’t see clearly. Post-fight, both fighters expressed disappointment over the outcome and the fight’s interruption due to the eye poke.
Aspinall was taken to the hospital after the fight, and UFC President Dana White mentioned his interest in rebooking the heavyweight clash. In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern became the new undisputed women’s strawweight champion after a tough battle with Virna Jandiroba. Other notable fights on the card included Umar Nurmagomedov’s win over Mario Bautista and Alexander Volkov’s victory against Jailton Almeida. Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov kicked off the main card with Murzakanov securing a first-round knockout.
