Eye Poke No Contest Shocks UFC 321: Aspinall vs Gane

Tom Aspinall is a British mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s heavyweight division, widely recognized for his athleticism, technical skill, and rapid ascent in one of MMA’s most competitive weight classes[1]. Born on April 11, 1993, in Salford, England, Aspinall grew up in a martial arts family—his father is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and coach, which provided Aspinall with an early foundation in combat sports[1]. He began training in jiu-jitsu as a child, later expanding his repertoire to include boxing and wrestling, and briefly pursued a professional boxing career before fully committing to MMA[1]. Aspinall made his professional MMA debut in 2014 and quickly gained attention for his explosive power and agility—traits not commonly associated with heavyweights[1]. After building a strong regional record, he signed with the UFC in 2020 and immediately made an impact with a series of first-round finishes, showcasing both his striking and submission abilities[1]. Notable victories include a submission win over seasoned veteran Andrei Arlovski in July 2021 and a dominant first-round submission against Alexander Volkov as the main event of UFC London in March 2022[1]. These performances established him as one of the division’s most exciting prospects and a potential future title challenger. Standing 6’5” and weighing around 255 lbs, Aspinall combines size with uncommon speed and technical versatility[4]. His professional record reflects a high finishing rate, with the majority of his wins coming by knockout or technical knockout[4]. As of late 2025, Aspinall remains a central figure in the UFC heavyweight division. His recent high-profile bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, leaving the division’s title picture unresolved and fueling anticipation for a potential rematch[3]. Despite this setback, Aspinall’s combination of youth, skill, and finishing ability ensures he remains a key player in the ongoing evolution of the UFC heavyweight landscape[3].

Ciryl Gane, born on April 12, 1990, in La Roche-sur-Yon, France, is a prominent French mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he has held the position of Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. Gane began his career in Muay Thai at the age of 24, achieving national and international titles before transitioning to MMA in 2018. He joined the UFC in 2019 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional movement and striking technique, which is rare for a heavyweight fighter[1][2][3]. Gane's MMA career highlights include victories over renowned fighters such as Junior dos Santos, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Alexander Volkov. These wins have solidified his position as a top contender in the UFC heavyweight division. As of June 24, 2025, he ranked #1 in the UFC heavyweight rankings[1][2]. Gane's performance in the UFC has earned him significant recognition, with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses[3]. In addition to his MMA career, Gane has also ventured into acting. He has appeared in several films and shows, including "K.O.Stream," "La Cage," and "Coach Hakim"[7]. His nickname, "Bon Gamin," reflects his affable persona outside the octagon[4]. Recently, Gane was involved in a highly anticipated fight against Tom Aspinall at UFC 321. However, the bout was ruled a no contest due to an accidental eye poke by Aspinall, leading to discussions about a potential rematch[6]. Despite this setback, Gane remains a key figure in the UFC heavyweight division, with ongoing relevance and anticipation surrounding his future fights.