Tom Aspinall blasts Ciryl Gane after UFC 321 no-contest as his eye injury halts heavyweight clash due to his “illegal move”

UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi ended in disappointment. The heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane was stopped at 4:35 of the first round. An accidental poke in the eye left Aspinall unable to continue. The referee ruled the bout a no-contest. Before the stoppage, both fighters had started well. They exchanged clean punches and kicks. The fight showed promise and intensity in its opening minutes. However, the sudden injury changed everything and brought an early end to a highly anticipated matchup.

After the fight, Aspinall shared his frustration openly. He made it clear that his anger was not toward mixed martial arts or bad luck. Instead, it was directed at Gane. Aspinall explained that injuries from legal strikes are part of the sport. Fighters accept that risk. But losing vision because of an illegal move feels very different. That emotional impact has stayed with him during his recovery.

Tom Aspinall opens up on his eye injury and strongly condemns illegal moves

Following the no-contest, Tom Aspinall spoke to Adam Catterall and did not hide his feelings. He explained that he was extremely upset about what happened. His frustration was aimed mainly at Ciryl Gane. Aspinall said he struggles to understand how such actions can be called accidental. In his view, he has never caused harm through an illegal move in a fight. Because of that, he chose to leave his comments there, while making his stance clear.

Aspinall also shared his personal view on fouls in MMA. He explained that a single foul can be treated as an accident. If it happens again, the fight should be paused. He even suggested that repeat fouls should bring stronger consequences. Using examples like groin strikes, he explained that repeated illegal actions should not be ignored. For him, fairness and fighter safety must come first inside the cage.

The injury from UFC 321 has had serious consequences. Aspinall has not fought since October. He has seen several specialists and has already undergone surgery on one eye. Another procedure is planned for mid-January. Doctors diagnosed him with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome. This rare condition has slowed his recovery and stopped him from returning to full training.

In a recent video update, Aspinall explained that he is focused on healing properly. He said his goal is to return only when his eye is fully healthy. He strongly believes his opponent tried to gain an advantage through illegal actions. While he is eager to fight again and prove himself, he knows his health must come first.

Also Read: Top 5 Athletes who faced bans, suspensions, and legal trouble in 2025

Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here