UFC 321 No-Contest: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane Ends Abruptly in Abu Dhabi

When Tom Aspinall, the 15‑3 British heavyweight, stepped into the Octagon at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 25, 2025, the crowd expected a showdown with the French‑Canadian striker Ciryl Gane. The bout was billed as the headline of UFC 321, a night that promised to crown a new heavyweight champion under the banner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

What Happened in the Main Event?

Here's the thing: the fight barely scratched the surface of its five‑round potential. At 4:35 of the first round, an accidental eye poke forced the referee to step in, declaring a no‑contest. Neither fighter landed a knockdown, takedown, nor recorded any control time. Statistically, Aspinall was efficient, landing 27 of 39 total strikes – 14 to the head, five to the body, and a perfect eight to the legs. Gane was slightly busier, connecting on 30 of 40 attempts with a similar distribution.

Pre‑fight betting odds clearly favored Aspinall at -450, while Gane was the +325 underdog, according to ESPN's fight center. The odds reflected the bookmakers' belief that the British fighter’s power and recent knockout streak gave him the edge. But the abrupt end left fans wondering what could have unfolded in the later rounds.

Co‑Main Event and Under‑Card Highlights

While the heavyweight title fight fizzled, the women's strawweight crown provided a satisfying finish. Mackenzie Dern of Brazil edged out Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision after five grueling five‑minute rounds. The judges scored it 48‑47 across the board, rewarding Dern’s relentless grappling and improved striking.

On the bantamweight card, Umar Nurmagomedov (19‑1) outpointed Mario Bautista with a clean 30‑27 decision, showcasing his crisp jab and defensive movement. The night also featured veteran Alexander Volkov eking out a split decision win, keeping his heavyweight résumé alive.

Reactions From Fighters, Analysts, and the Crowd

Chael Sonnen, a longtime UFC commentator, weighed in on the main event’s premature finish. "Usually, you’re at your best in the first round, especially when you weigh 260 lb and you carry all that muscle," he said, adding that Aspinall might have struggled in later rounds but left the door open for a possible comeback. CBS Sports noted that Aspinall was visibly upset when the arena erupted in boos after the eye poke – a rare reaction in the usually respectful UFC crowd.

Brian Campbell of CBS Sports highlighted the odd timing, noting that the eye poke occurred just as both fighters were trading leg kicks, a rarely seen exchange in heavyweight bouts. Meanwhile, the ESPN MMA Post Show panel, featuring Brendan Fitzgerald and former UFC champion Anthony Smith, debated whether the no‑contest would trigger an immediate rematch. Smith argued that the UFC would likely honor the title but might explore other heavyweight contenders if a swift renewal proves logistically tricky.

What This Means for the Heavyweight Division

Turns out the heavyweight landscape is more crowded than ever. With Francis Ngannou still recovering from a recent injury and Jon Jones on a tentative return path, the UFC now faces a decision: set up a rematch between Aspinall and Gane, or pivot to a new challenger like Jairzinho Rozenstruik or Stipe Miocic. The promotion’s schedule shows a tentative July 2026 heavyweight title bout, suggesting they may give both fighters time to recover and rebuild hype.

From a statistical standpoint, Aspinall’s strike accuracy (69%) outperformed Gane’s (75%) but Gane’s leg kicks were flawless – eight of eight. Analysts point out that a fight lasting the full three rounds could have favored Gane’s mobility and cardio, while Aspinall’s power would have become increasingly decisive the longer the battle went on.

Looking Ahead: Potential Rematch and Upcoming Fight Cards

Here's the twist: the UFC has already hinted at a possible “UFC 340” showdown later this year, branding it as “The Final Showdown.” If the promotion follows its playbook, they’ll likely schedule the rematch for a pay‑per‑view headliner, perhaps pairing it with a high‑profile women’s featherweight bout to maximize buy‑rates.

Meanwhile, upcoming events in March and May 2026 will feature rising heavyweights like Brock Lesnar (making a surprise return) and Islam Makhachev, who is eyeing a two‑division champion status after a recent win that ties Anderson Silva’s record of 16 consecutive UFC victories. If Makhachev steps up to heavyweight, the division could see a fresh power dynamic.

• Key Fact: The eye poke occurred at 4:35 of Round 1, resulting in a no‑contest.
• Pre‑fight odds: Aspinall -450, Gane +325.
• Strike totals: Aspinall 27/39, Gane 30/40.
• Women’s strawweight champion: Mackenzie Dern (U Dec).
• Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.