The highly anticipated UFC 321 main event between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane concluded unexpectedly, with a controversial eye poke leading to a first-round stoppage. Aspinall, returning after a 456-day hiatus, faced Gane for his heavyweight title. What was expected to be an exciting match turned sour when Gane inadvertently poked Aspinall in the eye, resulting in the fight being declared a no-contest.
Frustration Over the Stoppage
Aspinall, 32, expressed his disappointment following the stoppage. In a heated post-fight interview, he stated, “Guys, I just got poked knuckle deep in the eyeball. What the …? Why are you booing?” The crowd in Abu Dhabi responded negatively to the sudden end of the match. Aspinall explained that he was unable to see out of his right eye, affirming the seriousness of the incident.
Fight Statistics
- Aspinall: 27 significant strikes landed
- Gane: 30 significant strikes landed
- Aspinall led with 14 significant head strikes
- The fight lasted just over four minutes
UFC president Dana White commented on the event, stating there are plans to reschedule the bout between Aspinall and Gane in the future. Evaluating the fight, White remarked, “Great showing, terrible ending.” Aspinall was later taken to a hospital for evaluation regarding his eye injury.
Impact on Heavyweight Division
The outcome of UFC 321 also impacts the heavyweight division broadly. Alexander Volkov, who won his fight against Jailton Almeida, expressed frustration as he had hoped for a title shot regardless of the fight’s outcome. Volkov previously faced Gane and was controversially defeated, a result White acknowledged. Volkov’s path to a title opportunity is now uncertain as both fighters involved in the main event move forward.
Takedown Attempts on the Main Card
UFC 321 featured grappling-heavy bouts leading up to the main event. Noteworthy statistics from the card include:
- Almeida attempted nine takedowns against Volkov, landing seven.
- Umar Nurmagomedov secured 11 of 14 takedown attempts in his victory over Mario Bautista.
- Virna Jandiroba shot for 17 takedowns against Mackenzie Dern, who countered with eight attempts.
The overall flow of UFC 321 was disappointing for some fans, primarily due to the abrupt end of the highly-anticipated heavyweight clash.
Future Prospects
The heavyweight division remains dynamic with fighters like Aspinall, Gane, and Volkov at the forefront. The planned rematch should provide clarity and excitement moving forward. As the rankings shift, fans are eager to see how the UFC addresses the aftermath of UFC 321.
