Ciryl Gane is leaving Abu Dhabi with a sense of disappointment, but not for the reasons many anticipated prior to the weekend's events. On Saturday, Gane faced off against Tom Aspinall for the coveted UFC heavyweight title in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 321.
Gane came out strong, showcasing a strategic approach by maintaining distance and landing several impactful strikes against the heavyweight champion. However, the fight took an unexpected turn with just 30 seconds left in the opening round when Gane accidentally delivered a brutal eye poke to Aspinall, ultimately leading to Aspinall being unable to continue the fight.
The fight concluded as a No Contest, leaving fans and fighters alike dissatisfied with the outcome, especially Gane himself. In the post-fight press conference, Gane reflected on his performance, stating, “I think I started very well. Everybody knows his strategy; he starts hard and surprises his opponent. I think we did well, defending a takedown and touching him. We saw some blood on his nose. It was a really great first round, and that’s why I was a little bit disappointed, a little bit sad about this issue. But this is the sport.”
While Gane displayed a level of sportsmanship, many fans and fellow fighters were less forgiving, quickly criticizing Aspinall for not continuing the fight. UFC CEO Dana White framed the situation as Aspinall's unwillingness to continue, while others voiced more direct criticism towards the heavyweight champion. However, Gane remained respectful, stating, “No, I didn’t feel anything specific. I didn’t do it on purpose. And I know what it is to have an eye poke. When I fought Derrick Lewis, I had an eye poke, and I was seeing two Derrick Lewis for one round. … So I’m not going to say, ‘Yeah, he’s a liar.’”
Despite the unsatisfactory conclusion, there is a silver lining for Gane: he didn’t suffer a disqualification or a loss. The fight officially ended as a No Contest, and Dana White has indicated that the promotion will work to rebook the bout as soon as possible. For Gane, this means he can now focus on recovering and preparing for what could be another opportunity to claim the heavyweight title.
“First of all, I’m going to take care of myself, see my wife, see my family, see my kids,” Gane mentioned regarding his next steps. “Take some time for me, and then after that, I’ll talk to my coach and see when is the rematch and what’s happening.” This approach reflects Gane's commitment to both his personal life and professional career as he awaits the chance to step back into the octagon.
