Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited return to the UFC Octagon ended in bizarre and dispiriting fashion on Saturday, as his contest with Ciryl Gane was derailed by an eye poke.
In the very first round of Aspinall’s first defence of the undisputed heavyweight title, he was poked in both eyes at the same time, leading to a five-round pause in the action.
But after Aspinall was checked on by officials, it was deemed that the Briton could not continue, and the UFC 321 main event was declared a No Contest due to an “accidental foul”.
It was a deflating and unexpected ending in Abu Dhabi after so much hype, with Aspinall due to defend the undisputed belt after being elevated from interim champion this summer, following the retirement of Jon Jones – who held the official belt at the time.
Elsewhere tonight, Mackenzie Dern overcame Virna Jandiroba to win the vacant women’s strawweight title, and local favourite Umar Nurmagomedov beat Mario Bautista. Follow live updates and results below, as The Independent reports from Abu Dhabi.
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UFC 321 live: Aspinall vs Gane
- Tom Aspinall sees UFC heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane end in heartbreaking no-contest
- Aspinall suffered a "knuckle-deep" eye-poke in the first round and could not continue
- Fight marked Briton’s first defence of undisputed belt, after he was elevated from interim champion
- Mackenzie Dern overcomes Virna Jandiroba to claim the vacant strawweight title
- Umar Nurmagomedov stakes claim for title rematch with win over Mario Bautista
- Alexander Volkov edges past Jailton Almeida and may face main event’s winner
UFC star Nathaniel Wood: ‘I blamed my opponent when my newborn daughter was in intensive care’
07:00
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Will Castle
“I’m blaming this guy for putting my daughter in the intensive care unit.” No, these are not the deranged ramblings of a man disconnected from reality. This was how UFC fighter Nathaniel Wood got in the frame of mind to do his job when his newborn, with a hole in her heart, was fighting for her life.
Wood, who was victorious at UFC 321, speaks to Will Castle in an incredibly open exclusive interview:
UFC 321 star Ludovit Klein overcomes gruesome broken ankle to beat Mateusz Rebecki
06:00
,
Will Castle
Ludovit Klein overcame a broken ankle to beat Mateusz Rebecki on Saturday, earning an unlikely win at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
Fighting Rebecki in a lightweight preliminary fight, Klein looked sharper than his opponent in the striking exchanges and was defending the Pole’s takedown attempts well.
With that, Klein appeared to build a two-round lead heading into the third and final frame, but in that round, Rebecki took down the Slovak.
Klein, 30, turtled up and was forced to try to survive Rebecki’s ground and pound for the majority of the round, with the Pole also bleeding onto him from above – thanks to the earlier damage that Klein had dealt the 33-year-old.
Klein, to his credit, actually threw his own offence from below, but he was largely absorbing punches and elbows as he somehow made it to the final buzzer.
However, he could not stand upon the conclusion of the fight. And when the scorecards confirmed a majority-decision win for Klein (29-28, 28-27, 28-28), he was forced to celebrate while sat on a stool.
How Tom Aspinall, the UFC’s nice guy, became the baddest man on the planet
05:00
,
Alex Pattle
“I f***ing stink,” Tom Aspinall warns me, raising his eyebrows as I tentatively approach the pristine, freshly-laid, black and white mats in his gym. There are graver warnings one could be issued by the UFC heavyweight champion – a status that comes with the moniker “The Baddest Man On The Planet”. But herein lies the great paradox around Aspinall: he is the baddest man on the planet – technically, the most-skilled hand-to-hand combatant on Earth – yet he is one of the nicest people you could encounter.
Things didn’t go to plan tonight, but if you need a reminder of Aspinall’s character, Alex Pattle has you covered with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into his regiment:
UFC 321 bonuses revealed
04:00
,
Will Castle
The prelims went hard.
THESE TWO ALWAYS BRING THE FIGHT
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
Ludovit Klein & Mateusz Rebecki each get a FOTN bonus from #UFC321
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/v6BkJo5MK2
A couple crazy finishes tonight
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
Quillan Salkilld & Valter Walker take home a #UFC321 POTN bonus!
[ B2YB @PrimeHydrate ] pic.twitter.com/2TX4RlmYrI
Mackenzie Dern celebrates title win with daughter in special moment
03:30
,
Will Castle
It wasn’t all doom and gloom tonight!
Mackenzie Dern has done it and this as about as special as it gets ❤️
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 25, 2025
Watch #UFC321 LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office from 7 PM ➡️ BUY NOW VIA LINK IN BIO pic.twitter.com/eiOJ1A7jXU
Elsewhere on the UFC 321 main card
03:00
,
Will Castle
Ciryl Gane apologises as main event lies in tatters
02:30
,
Will Castle
Ciryl Gane: "I'm very sorry about that, for the crowd, for the fans, for everybody. Sorry for Tom Aspinall, sorry for myself." #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/D7tkMvkW3F
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 25, 2025
Tom Aspinall's furious post-fight interview
02:00
,
Will Castle
Tom Aspinall speaks to Daniel Cornier after his fight with Ciryl Gane is declared a no contest.#UFC321 pic.twitter.com/R9k6bdgrVJ
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 25, 2025
The result nobody wanted
01:40
,
Will Castle
How far could Ciryl Gane have taken Tom Aspinall?
01:20
,
Will Castle
Ciryl Gane bossed that first round. His jab was getting through and he was hurting Tom Aspinall - something that was evident when the champ gave a wry “fair enough” smile after being caught.
We know how good Aspinall is and it wasn’t like he was on his way to losing after the first four-and-a-half minutes. But for the first time ever in his UFC career (apart from the Curtis Blaydes freak injury), it wasn’t clear that he was winning.
A true shame we didn’t get to see how this one played out.
Tom Aspinall bloodied by Ciryl Gane inside five minutes
01:00
,
Will Castle
Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane ruined by first-round eye-poke
00:40
,
Will Castle
Jon Jones reacts to UFC 321 main event by calling out Alex Pereira
00:29
,
Will Castle
Alex, I’d be down to bring the highest skill level to the White House. I appreciate the respect you showed, let’s dance.
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2025
Extent of Tom Aspinall eye-poke
00:20
,
Will Castle
Think Tom Aspinall was exaggerating? Think again. That really was “knuckle-deep”...
My goodness Ciryl Gane really dug his fingers deep in Tom Aspinall's eyes.
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) October 25, 2025
What the .......#UFC321 pic.twitter.com/L3CiIIIFCI
UFC 321 results in full
00:00
,
Will Castle
*(C) denotes champion
Tom Aspinall (C) vs. Ciryl Gane ends in no contest after unintentional eye poke
Mackenzie Dern (C) def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Mario Bautista via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexander Volkov def. Jailton Almeida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Azamat Murzakanov def. Aleksandar Rakic via first-round TKO (punches)
Quillan Salkilld def. Nasrat Haqparast via first-round knockout (head kick)
Ikram Aliskerov def. Jun Yong Park via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ludovit Klein def. Mateusz Rebecki via majority decision (29-28, 28-27, 28-28)
Valter Walker def. Louie Sutherland via first-round submission (heel hook)
Nathaniel Wood def. Jose Delgado via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Chris Barnett via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Mitch Raposo def Azat Maksum via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Mizuki def. Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
UFC eye poke rule explained after Tom Aspinall’s UFC 321 fight is ruined
23:45
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Alex Pattle in Abu Dhabi
Wondering why Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest rather than a DQ or Gane win?
Our man on the ground Alex Pattle explains the rules:
Tom Aspinall's first undisputed title defence ends in dispiriting no-contest
23:30
,
Will Castle
Ciryl Gane distraught after accidental eye-poke
23:15
,
Will Castle
Not many make it out the first round with Tom Aspinall, but Ciryl Gane was very much on course to doing so. He was fighting so well. Heartbreak all round.
Ciryl Gane: 'I'm not going to say he's a liar'
23:01
,
Will Castle
"I think I started very well, defending a takedown and touching him. We saw some blood on his nose. It was a really great first round,” Gane said.
"I really wanted to continue the fight. I was at first angry. After I was disappointed, sad, and after that... apologetic for the people.
"I know what it is to get an eye poke, because I got one against Derrick Lewis and I was seeing two Derrick Lewis. So, I'm not gonna say, 'Yeah, he's a liar.'"
Tom Aspinall retains his UFC heavyweight champion
22:54
,
Will Castle
Not the “And Still!” any of us were hoping for.
A no-contest means Tom Aspinall retains his UFC heavyweight title. I doubt that will act as any saving grace for the champ.
Dana White: 'I can't make anyone fight'
22:50
,
Will Castle
"I can't make anyone fight,” White said. “Only Tom knows if he could see, if he couldn't – if he could fight, if he couldn't."
Dana White speaks on the problem of eye-pokes
22:49
,
Will Castle
Eye-pokes are a problem in MMA. They always have been, and Dana White thinks they always will be.
The UFC trialled then ditched new gloves last year, based on eye-poke issues.
"No matter what you do with the gloves, it's going to happen,” White said.
Asked if there was any way of telling is an eye-poke was intentional, White snapped: "Who the f*** knows? Who gives a s***? What are you gonna do?"
Dana White confirms UFC WILL book rematch
22:46
,
Will Castle
When asked if he the UFC will book a rematch, he replied: “Yeah, total pain in the a***, but yes.
"Yeah, I mean, they're both in shape – other than whatever is wrong with his eye. Both guys are not injured, so, as soon as possible."
Dana White reacts to ruined UFC 321 main event
22:44
,
Will Castle
"I mean, I feel the way everybody feels,” he said. “Great showing, s****y ending.
“I think that after the [Jon] Jones fight, a lot of people wrote Ciryl Gane off, he looked damn good tonight. Looked like we were in for a few rounds.”
Dana White confirms Tom Aspinall is on his way to hospital
22:43
,
Will Castle
Dana White has provided a medical update on Tom Aspinall.
"He's on his way to the hospital,” the UFC president said.
How Abu Dhabi reacted to collapse of main event
22:42
,
Will Castle
Boos and more boos. An outcome that nobody wanted, it’s not what the two fighters deserve.
Due to an accidental foul this fight has been declared a no contest. #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/geB3tGevL8
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
Report: Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited UFC 321 return derailed by Ciryl Gane eye poke in first round
22:30
,
Alex Pattle in Abu Dhabi
Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited return to the UFC Octagon ended in bizarre and dispiriting fashion on Saturday, as his contest with Ciryl Gane was derailed by an eye poke.
In the very first round of Aspinall’s first defence of the undisputed heavyweight title, he was poked in both eyes at the same time, leading to a five-round pause in the action.
But after Aspinall was checked on by officials, it was deemed that the Briton could not continue, and the UFC 321 main event was declared a No Contest due to an “accidental foul”.
Read Alex Pattle’s full report from Abu Dhabi:
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:25
,
Will Castle
We’re struggling to comprehend what just happened. So painfully deflating. Gutted for all involved.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:13
,
Will Castle
This isn’t the first time that Tom Aspinall has fallen victim to a freak accident in the cage.
Against Curtis Blaydes back in July 2022, Aspinall suffered a catastrophic knee injury when throwing an early leg kick, leading to the end of the fight and his first UFC loss.
This one will hurt even more. Having only fought a solitary minute in the last two years, Aspinall’s first fight as undisputed heavyweight champion is thrown out.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:04
,
Will Castle
The official result.
Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane declared first-round no contest (accidental foul, 4:35)
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:01
,
Will Castle
Ciryl Gane has apologised for the way the main event has turned out.
“I’m very sorry about this, for the crowd, for Tom Aspinall, for myself,” Gane says.
“This is the sport.”
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:00
,
Will Castle
“This is bulls***. The fight was just getting going. Look at this, a double eyepoke!”
Tom Aspinall is raging.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:59
,
Will Castle
Tom Aspinall is not mincing words with the crowd, who are relentlessly booing the outcome of the main event.
“I just got poked knuckled-deep in the eyeball,” he said. “What the f***, why are you booing? What am I supposed to do about it? I didn’t do the poke, I can’t see!”
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:55
,
Will Castle
An unintentional foul means this fight ends as a no contest.
Ciryl Gane is absolutely heartbroken. He was fighting a fantastic first round.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:54
,
Will Castle
WAVED OFF!
Aspinall couldn’t open his eye after four minutes. Absolutely gutting. It’ll be a no contest.
'Restlessness in the arena'
21:53
,
Alex Pattle in Abu Dhabi
Here’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“Restlessness in the arena, as you'd expect, but also genuine concern that Aspinall may not be able to continue. His media manager and a family friend are sat nearby. Charlie Gibson – Tom's media man – looks anxious. Family friend Frank more so by the minute.”
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:53
,
Will Castle
Round one
Aspinall has five minutes to recover - but he keeps saying he can’t see. The doctor is coming into the cage. This could well be called off.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:52
,
Will Castle
Round one
If history has taught us anything, this won’t last long.
Aspinall goes for the body kick, Gane responds with the oblique. Aspinall presses forward with the one-two before landing a big left hand. He’s so damn quick!
After ducking a massive left hook from Gane, the champ goes for a first takedown, well defended by Gane. Aspinall then gets through partially with a headkick but Gane responds with a quick jab.
Aspinall, controlling the centre, backs Gane up with a jab. “Tommy Aspinall” chants ring around the Etihad Arena from the British contingent.
This is by no means one-sided. Gane is finding success with the inside leg kick before catching Aspinall with a left. The Brit smiles but is taking damage - jabs keep getting through from the Frenchman and his nose has been busted open.
There’s now a stoppage after Gane’s fingers scraped down not one but both eyes of Aspinall. He’s shaking his head. His eyes look in really bad shape...
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:45
,
Will Castle
Bruce Buffer has done his lung-bursting intros, the fighters touch gloves... AND WE ARE UNDERWAY!
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:42
,
Will Castle
My heart is beating, the adrenaline is flowing... God knows what the two behemoths in the cage are feeling.
Tom Aspinall. Ciryl Gane. The undisputed UFC heavyweight championship. It’s TIMEEEEEEE!
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:40
,
Will Castle
Ciryl Gane looks relaxed - so relaxed he forgot his groin protector!
While his team scramble for that, here comes the champ!
Tom Aspinall walks into the Abu Dhabi cauldron to Oasis anthem Supersonic... goosebumps.
It’s remixed with Move On Up, to which Gane is dancing to.
'A penny for Gane's thoughts'
21:35
,
Alex Pattle in Abu Dhabi
Here’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“More boos as Gane makes his walk. He's stony-faced. How's he feeling inside? A penny for his thoughts...
“He holds out his hands as if to welcome the boos, but his expression remains unchanged.”
'Loud boos for Ciryl Gane and Jon Jones'
21:34
,
Alex Pattle in Abu Dhabi
Here’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“LOUD boos when the video package for tonight's main event shows Ciryl Gane. There were also boos at the very start, when the footage showed Dana White mentioning Jon Jones. As you might have expected, though, great cheers for the Tom Aspinall clips!”
MAIN EVENT TIME!
21:33
,
Will Castle
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for what we’ve all been waiting for.
The UFC heavyweight champion of the world, Atherton’s own Tom Aspinall, defends his undisputed title for the first time against French goliath Ciryl Gane.
Aspinall waited so long for that bout with Jon Jones. It never came, with the supposed ‘greatest of all time’ retiring before stepping into the ring with what was the biggest threat to his legacy.
The Brit has now moved on. His new goal? To embark on reign of terror over heavyweight MMA.
Gane is his first challenger as undisputed champion. And it’s NEXT!
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
21:25
,
Will Castle
Mackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decisions (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Anddddd newwwwwww!
Dern drops to her knees in tears as she’s crowned the new strawweight champion of the world.
She’s then joined by her daughter in the Octagon, who holds the belt. Dern has never lost in front of her. Beautiful scenes.
“It feels amazing, I can’t believe it,” she tells Daniel Cormier.
Jon Anik says the broadcast team were holding back tears.
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
21:23
,
Will Castle
Round five
Neither corner is sure whether victory is in the bag as of yet. A big final 300 seconds coming up.
Dern knocks Jandiroba back with a right but Jandiroba does really well to catch her opponent on the spin, utilising the level change to get her to the ground.
She doesn’t do much with the takedown but swiftly gets the underhook in when back on the feet.
After clinching on the cage, there’s a moment of separation where Dern can land a few sharp shots. But yet again, Jandiroba shoots and scores with the takedown, allowing her more control time that could prove pivotal on the scorecards.
That said, Dern is still doing the majority of the damage, even when underneath Jandiroba. It’s why Jandiroba wants to let Dern up to her feet so she can land more takedowns in an attempt to sway the judges.
Dern eventually obliges, with the fight moving to the feet for the final minute. Dern catches Jandiroba with a hammerfist before dodging a spinning backfist and getting a last-second takedown, finishing the fight on top as she laid in ground and pound.
This one will be decided by the judges...
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
21:16
,
Will Castle
Round four
Into the championship rounds!
Dern starts well on the feet, connecting with a nice right before returning to the leg and body kicks, something she hasn’t really utilised since the fights early stages.
With a broadened arsenal, Dern is piecing Jandiroba up - but in a questionable move, she goes for the double leg by the fence. A period in the clinch g