Tom Aspinall’s reign because the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion received off to a disastrous begin on Saturday, as his first title protection led to a no contest at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
Aspinall (15-3) was unable to proceed after title challenger Ciryl Gane (13-2) by chance poked his proper eye throughout an alternate at 4:35 of the opening spherical. Aspinall was offered 5 minutes to get better, however referee Jason Herzog had no selection however to cease the bout as soon as the defending champion stated he nonetheless couldn’t see. It’s the primary time a UFC title struggle has led to a no contest attributable to an unintentional foul.
“That is bulls—, the struggle was simply getting going,” Aspinall stated. “Full bulls—. I’m pissed off. I can hardly open my eye.”
Gane, a former interim champion, apologized for the attention poke, which truly appeared to make contact with each of Aspinall’s eyes, although it primarily impacted the suitable eye.
“I’m very sorry for that — for the group, for the followers, for everyone,” Gane stated. “I’m sorry for myself. We put lots of vitality into this struggle. I’m very disenchanted, however that is the game.”
It’s an terrible outcome for all events, particularly contemplating a few of the circumstances which have surrounded the UFC’s heavyweight division lately. The division was primarily positioned on maintain earlier this 12 months, because the UFC tried to barter a title unification bout between undisputed champion Jon Jones and Aspinall, who had held the interim title since November 2023. Jones finally determined to retire in June, ensuing within the unceremonious crowning of Aspinall because the official champ. Saturday was meant to be one thing of Aspinall’s public coronation because the titleholder.
The motion was aggressive and entertaining earlier than the foul, as every heavyweight had his share of success on the ft. Aspinall tried one takedown, which Gane shrugged off somewhat simply. Aspinall’s largest benefit stepping into seemed to be his capability to take Gane to the ground. On the ft, the 2 matched up very effectively.
Gane bloodied Aspinall’s nostril inside the opening minutes, as he went to work with a constant jab and leg kick. He caught Aspinall with a number of counter pictures on his method in, together with a brief proper hand simply moments earlier than the foul.
The one different title struggle to end in a no contest in UFC historical past occurred in 2017 between then-light-heavyweight champion Jones and Daniel Cormier. Jones initially defeated Cormier by way of TKO at UFC 214 in Anaheim, however the California State Athletic Fee modified the outcome to a no contest after it was revealed Jones had failed a prefight drug take a look at.
Formally, Aspinall, of Salford, England, has fought solely thrice for the reason that begin of 2023, largely as a result of state of affairs with Jones. These three fights lasted a mixed 3:22, which means the UFC’s heavyweight champion has averaged roughly one minute of Octagon time per 12 months previously three years.
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