Tom Aspinall required immediate hospitalization following his bout with Ciryl Gane, which was declared a no contest due to an accidental eye-poke incident.

Earlier this year, the British fighter was elevated to undisputed champion following Jon Jones’ unexpected retirement. Aspinall’s most recent fight before UFC 321 occurred in July 2024 when he successfully defended his interim title against Curtis Blaydes in Manchester.

Seeking to make up for lost time, Aspinall eagerly accepted a fight with Gane this year. Gane, a seasoned contender, had previously vied for undisputed titles twice before UFC 321. However, the anticipated main event in Abu Dhabi took a grim turn in the first round when Aspinall suffered accidental eye pokes from Gane, leading to the fight’s premature end and Aspinall’s swift hospitalization.

Known for his explosive starts, Aspinall faced a determined challenger in Gane, who aggressively attacked in the opening round. Despite landing impactful strikes, Gane inadvertently poked Aspinall in both eyes, prompting a pause in the fight. Aspinall expressed frustration over the incident, emphasizing his inability to continue due to impaired vision.

Gane, expressing regret over the unfortunate outcome, acknowledged the disappointment and uncertainty surrounding the fight’s future. UFC President Dana White confirmed plans to reschedule the heavyweight clash post-fight, despite the unforeseen circumstances.

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