The highly anticipated heavyweight main event at UFC 321 between champion Tom Aspinall and top-ranked contender Ciryl Gane ended in disappointment, as the match was ruled a no-contest just as the opening round unfolded inside the Etihad Arena. Both fighters entered the octagon with palpable energy, but an accidental double eye poke halted the action at the 4:35 mark of the first round.
Aspinall, boasting a record of 15-3-0, faced a significant setback when he could not see out of his right eye during the allotted five-minute timeout. As the clock ticked down, the fight was officially declared a no-contest at 4:09 into the stoppage, marking Aspinall’s first defense as the undisputed heavyweight champion. A visibly frustrated Aspinall expressed his disappointment, stating, “What am I supposed to do about it? I can’t see. This is expletive. The fight was just getting going.”
Ciryl Gane, holding a record of 13-2-0, also shared his disappointment, dropping to his knees as the announcement was made. “I’m feeling sorry,” Gane said, reflecting the sentiments of both fighters and the crowd. “I’m very sorry about that.” The bout had started off with Aspinall aggressively launching heavy shots, but Gane demonstrated his renowned footwork and resilience, standing firm in the center of the cage.
Despite the abrupt ending, the first round showcased exciting exchanges between the two fighters. Aspinall wasted no time establishing himself with powerful strikes, while Gane utilized his sharp jab to bloody the champion. Aspinall attempted to secure a takedown, but Gane’s defense proved effective, allowing him to maintain control of the fight. As the round progressed, Gane continued to land effective jabs and low kicks, further asserting his dominance until the unfortunate eye poke occurred.
In the co-main event of UFC 321, Mackenzie Dern faced off against top-ranked Virna Jandiroba for the vacant strawweight title. After a gritty battle where both fighters suffered visible injuries, Dern emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, capturing the strawweight championship. With a record of 16-5-0, Dern's striking was notably more effective, particularly her left hand, which delivered significant damage throughout the tightly contested rounds.
Upon being announced as the new champion, Dern fell to her knees in tears, overwhelmed by the moment. “It feels amazing,” she said, dedicating her victory to her six-year-old daughter, Moa, who joined her in the cage to celebrate. Moa proudly draped the UFC belt over her mother’s shoulder, marking a heartfelt moment for the new champion.
In other notable bouts from UFC 321, Umar Nurmagomedov, ranked No. 2 in the bantamweight division, secured a unanimous decision victory over No. 8 Mario Bautista. Additionally, second-ranked heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov won by split decision against No. 5 Jailton Almeida.
In the light heavyweight division, Azamat Murzakanov, ranked 10th, made a statement with a first-round stoppage of No. 7 Aleksandar Rakic, extending his impressive win streak to six consecutive victories in the UFC.
UFC 321 delivered a mix of excitement and frustration for fans, particularly with the heavyweight main event ending in a no-contest. As fighters like Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane look to reclaim their momentum, the event also showcased the resilience and determination of champions like Mackenzie Dern. Stay tuned for more updates and fight recaps as the UFC season continues to unfold.
