When Tom Aspinall, the UFC Heavyweight Champion, stepped into the Octagon at Etihad Arena to face Ciryl Gane, fans expected a fireworks‑filled showdown. Instead, the bout ended in a no contest after an accidental eye poke halted the fight at 4:35 of the first round, leaving the heavyweight division in limbo. Dana White, president of the promotion, promised a swift rematch, while analysts at ESPN warned that the division’s continuity was now "in ruins." The chaos unfolded on Saturday, October 25, 2025, during UFC 321, a sold‑out event in Abu Dhabi’s desert‑side arena.
Background to the Heavyweight Title Fight
Tom Aspinall earned his belt by rattling off three consecutive first‑minute knockouts, a streak that catapulted him into the top‑four of ESPN’s heavyweight rankings. Ciryl Gane, the former interim champion with a 13‑2 record, was on his third title attempt, having fallen short in two previous championship bids. Both fighters entered the arena with hungry crowds buzzing about a clash of styles: Aspinall’s brutal calf kicks versus Gane’s surgical jab work.
UFC, the world’s premier mixed‑martial‑arts organization, has used Etihad Arena as a strategic stop since 2020, branding the venue as a modern‑day "Fight Island" after the COVID‑19‑era gatherings on Yas Island. The promotion’s decision to host UFC 321 there was part of a larger push to solidify its Middle‑East footprint and to give heavyweight fans a live‑spectacle outside the United States.
How the Eye Poke Ended the Main Event
The opening minute was a blur of punches, kicks, and blood. Gane’s jab sliced Aspinall’s nose, painting a bright red stripe across his face. Aspinall answered with a thunderous looping right that clipped Gane’s chin. Both men were still standing, trading blows, when the accidental double eye poke occurred. Referee Jason Herzog, a veteran of over 300 UFC bouts, called a timeout. After a brief pause, he declared the fight a no contest because Aspinall could not see straight.
Gane immediately apologized, raising his hand toward Aspinall’s corner, a gesture caught on the arena’s giant screens. Aspinall, visibly frustrated, gestured toward the crowd and said, "I’m not happy with how this ended," before exiting the cage. The incident sparked a flurry of social‑media posts, many questioning whether the referee’s decision adhered to the unified rules governing accidental fouls.
Co‑Main Event: Dern Captures Strawweight Belt
While the heavyweight drama stole headlines, the co‑main event delivered its own story. Mackenzie Dern, a former BJJ world champion turned striker, faced Virna Jandiroba for the vacant women’s strawweight title. The belt was open after Zhang Weili moved up to flyweight, leaving a power vacuum at 115 pounds.
Dern survived an early takedown attempt, then rocked Jandiroba with a sharp right hand that sent the Brazilian fighter to the canvas. After regaining her footing, Dern secured a rear‑naked choke in the second round, forcing Jandiroba to tap. The victory marked Dern’s first championship in the UFC and set up potential match‑ups with former title‑holder Weili or rising star Jenna O'Connor.
Reactions from Fighters, UFC, and Media
In the post‑fight press conference, Dana White emphasized the organization’s commitment to the sport: "We’re sorting this out tonight. The fans deserve a proper finish, and so do the fighters. Expect the Aspinall‑Gane rematch within the next few months." White’s promise echoed the sentiments of UFC’s senior vice‑president for events, who added that the promotion would look at dates that didn’t clash with the upcoming UFC 322 card in Sao Paulo.
ESPN analysts, including Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim, described the heavyweight division as "a revolving door" after the incident. Their post‑fight podcast highlighted a pattern of title‑vacancy and withdrawals dating back to the 2022 resignations of Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic’s retirement.
Fans took to Twitter with mixed emotions. Some expressed disappointment: "What a let‑down, we paid $200 for a half‑hour of chaos." Others defended the fighters: "Eye pokes happen. Both guys showed heart." The #UFC321 hashtag trended worldwide for nine hours, with over 1.2 million tweets.
What This Means for the Heavyweight Division
The heavyweight division has historically been the UFC’s marquee attraction. Its recent instability—marked by title changes, injuries, and now a no‑contest—has raised questions about the promotion’s talent pipeline. Without a clear champion, the division’s marketability could dip, affecting pay‑per‑view buys for future events.
Industry insiders suggest that a timely rematch could restore confidence. A fight between Aspinall and Gane would likely draw a Pay‑Per‑View audience of 800,000‑1 million, according to a Sports Business Journal forecast released on October 26. Moreover, a decisive finish would settle the rankings dispute: ESPN currently lists Aspinall at No. 4 and Gane at No. 2 in the heavyweight top‑10.
Looking Ahead: Scheduling the Rematch
Logistically, the UFC faces a tight window. Both fighters have upcoming obligations—Aspinall is slated for a media tour in London, while Gane is expected to fight in a light heavyweight bout in March. Coordinating a rematch before the end of the calendar year will require careful negotiation.
One possibility is a “Fight Island”‑style event in Dubai in early November, leveraging the same venue infrastructure that made Etihad Arena a repeat host. Another scenario is a Vegas showdown during the holiday weekend, aligning with traditional UFC PPV cycles.
Regardless of the venue, Dana White’s promise looms large: the longer the gap, the louder the critics will get. For now, fans can only wait and hope that the next chapter delivers the knockout finish they were promised.
Key Facts
- Event: UFC 321 – Aspinall vs. Gane
- Date: October 25, 2025
- Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Main outcome: No contest due to accidental eye poke at 4:35 of round 1
- Co‑main result: Mackenzie Dern wins vacant women’s strawweight title via rear‑naked choke
- Future plan: Dana White pledges a rematch "as soon as possible"
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the main event to end in a no contest?
An accidental double eye poke by Ciryl Gane rendered Tom Aspinall unable to see, prompting referee Jason Herzog to halt the bout at 4:35 of round 1 and declare a no contest under the unified MMA rules.
When and where will the Aspinall‑Gane rematch be scheduled?
As of now, UFC officials have not announced a specific date or venue. Dana White has said the organization will try to rebook the fight within the next few months, with possible locations ranging from Dubai’s Fight Island to a Las Vegas PPV weekend.
Who claimed the vacant women’s strawweight title at UFC 321?
Mackenzie Dern secured the strawweight belt by submitting Virna Jandiroba with a rear‑naked choke in the second round, earning her first UFC championship.
How did the heavyweight division’s recent instability affect UFC’s business outlook?
Analysts warn that a prolonged champion vacuum could depress pay‑per‑view buys and sponsor interest. A swift rematch is seen as essential to restore confidence and maintain the division’s revenue‑generating power.
What was the reaction from ESPN’s coverage team?
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim labeled the incident a "disaster" for the heavyweight picture, noting that the division has seen multiple title disruptions since 2022.
