Tom Aspinall’s first heavyweight title fight ended in controversy when the match was declared a no contest due to an eye poke by Ciryl Gane. Aspinall, a top British star, had a challenging year and was seeking to defend his title after a quick victory over Curtis Blaydes in July 2024.
Initially set to face Jon Jones for a unification bout, Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion when Jones retired. The highly anticipated fight with Gane turned sour in the first round as a referee intervention was necessary due to an accidental eye poke, resulting in the fight being called off and Aspinall retaining his title.
The Frenchman, Gane, known for his quick and agile movements, appeared strong early in the match, causing some trouble for Aspinall. However, the fight took a turn when Gane unintentionally poked Aspinall in the eyes, leading to a halt in the action. Aspinall expressed frustration over the incident, stating he couldn’t see clearly and describing it as unfair.
After the fight, Aspinall was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. UFC President Dana White expressed interest in rescheduling 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, winning via unanimous decision. Other notable fights on the card included Umar Nurmagomedov’s victory over Mario Bautista and Alexander Volkov’s win against Jailton Almeida.
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