Aspinall’s Title Defence Ends in No Contest Amid Eye Injury
Tom Aspinall’s inaugural defence of his UFC heavyweight title was marred by disappointment at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night, reports BritPanorama. The bout against Ciryl Gane was declared a no contest just four minutes into the first round after Gane inadvertently poked Aspinall in both eyes during an exchange.
The incident occurred as Aspinall prepared to deliver a kick, while Gane threw a punch, leading to the accidental eye contact that halted the fight. Immediately after the event, the referee called for a timeout, allowing the ringside doctor to examine Aspinall, who was visibly distressed and held a cloth to his eyes.
As blood streamed from Aspinall’s nose, he expressed his inability to see clearly, repeatedly stating, “I can’t f****** see.” Despite a five-minute recovery period, his vision did not improve, forcing officials to cancel the match. The referee ultimately ruled it a no contest, meaning Aspinall retained his title without the anticipated bout conclusion.
Both fighters were compelled to remain in the octagon while the announcement was made, which drew boos from the audience, inciting an irritated response from Aspinall during the post-fight interview. He questioned the crowd’s reaction, emphasizing, “Guys, I just got poked knuckle deep in the eyeball. Why are you booing?”
Aspinall pointed to his swollen eye, indicating it had resulted from a double eye poke which cut the fight short before it could truly commence. He conveyed frustration and disappointment over the incident, stating, “Complete bulls***, I’m p***** off.” Following the event, he was taken to hospital to receive treatment for his injuries, which included a broken nose.
Gane also showed clear signs of regret, kneeling on the canvas and apologising to fans and Aspinall alike. He acknowledged the hard work both fighters had invested in the preparation process and described the outcome as disappointing yet part of the sport’s unpredictable nature. “We put a lot of energy in this fight so I’m disappointed but this is the sport, this is life,” Gane remarked.
Originally, the title fight was highly anticipated as Aspinall entered the ring for his first defence following Jon Jones’s retirement in June. The event has left fans and commentators reflective on the fragility of combat sports, where fortunes can dramatically shift in an instant.
