In a highly anticipated heavyweight championship fight, Tom Aspinall faced off against Ciryl Gane but the match ended in a disappointing no-contest due to an accidental eyepoke. The fight, which promised an exciting showdown, concluded abruptly in the first round when Aspinall was unable to continue after the incident left him unable to see from his right eye.
From the outset, Aspinall showed a fast and aggressive style, taking the initiative as expected. Gane, known for his exceptional footwork and evasive techniques, quickly took the center of the octagon and began throwing powerful strikes. Despite Aspinall's early energy, Gane remained calm under pressure, successfully landing jabs that resulted in visible damage to the champion.
As the first round progressed, Gane began to establish dominance, effectively utilizing his jab and low kicks while Aspinall attempted a takedown that Gane skillfully defended. The French fighter showcased his movement, circling away from Aspinall’s advances and landing significant strikes. With just 45 seconds left in the round, Gane had outstruck Aspinall not only in volume but also in accuracy.
The match was halted when an accidental double eyepoke from Gane paused the fight. Aspinall was given five minutes to recover but ultimately could not continue, leading to the referee's decision to declare the bout a no-contest.
In another thrilling fight on the card, Mackenzie Dern defeated Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision, securing the vacant strawweight championship with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. This hard-fought contest featured tightly contested rounds, but Dern's striking and effective damage throughout the fight proved to be the deciding factors.
In the final round, Dern managed to maintain her aggression, responding well to Jandiroba's attempts at takedowns. Although Jandiroba scored an early takedown in the round, Dern quickly returned to her feet and countered with elbows from the bottom position. The fight concluded with Dern landing significant strikes and securing a takedown, solidifying her victory.
In another exciting matchup, Umar Nurmagomedov faced Mario Bautista and emerged victorious via unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the bout 30-27. Despite being a +450 underdog, Bautista put up a commendable fight but was ultimately outmatched by Nurmagomedov's superior wrestling skills and ability to control the pace of the fight.
Bautista opened the third round with a strong body kick, but Nurmagomedov quickly countered with a straight left and initiated a takedown that would keep Bautista on the defensive. Throughout the fight, Nurmagomedov demonstrated relentless pressure, securing multiple takedowns and maintaining control, effectively neutralizing Bautista's offensive capabilities.
This victory for Nurmagomedov not only showcased his wrestling prowess but also positioned him for a possible championship shot against Merab Dvalishvili in the bantamweight division, while simultaneously snapping Bautista's impressive eight-fight winning streak.
As the event concluded, eyes are now on the future matchups. With Aspinall's title defense ending in controversy, the heavyweight landscape remains dynamic. Fans are eager to see what the UFC has in store for both Aspinall and Gane moving forward. Meanwhile, Dern’s championship win adds an exciting new chapter to the strawweight division, and Nurmagomedov's recent performance sets the stage for potential title contention in the bantamweight category.
