Tom Aspinall checks into hospital with eye injury after UFC disaster

Tom Aspinall was taken to hospital immediately after his bout with Ciryl Gane was declared a no contest due to an accidental eye-poke. The Brit, who was promoted to undisputed champion earlier this year following Jon Jones' surprising retirement from the sport, last stepped into the cage at UFC 321. His previous appearance was in July 2024 when he successfully defended his interim title against Curtis Blaydes in Manchester.

Keen to make up for lost time, the Wigan fighter was eager to have at least one fight this year and quickly agreed to a match with Gane. The Frenchman, however, is no stranger to undisputed title fights. UFC 321 marked Gane's third attempt at the coveted gold prize, having failed in his two previous attempts.

What was set to be a thrilling main event in Abu Dhabi turned disastrous deep into the first round when Aspinall was accidentally poked in both eyes by the challenger. Given five minutes to recover, Aspinall confessed he could not see out of his right eye.

The showdown was eventually called off and Aspinall was swiftly taken backstage and transported to hospital.

Aspinall is renowned for his explosive openings, but it was actually the challenger who emerged swinging in the opening round. The Frenchman connected with numerous jabs and inside kicks to Aspinall's lead leg during the early exchanges in a bid to force the champion backwards.

After a brief skirmish, blood began streaming from Aspinall's nose.

Gane's self-assurance was growing before he inadvertently jabbed Aspinall in both eyes. Referee Jason Herzog swiftly halted the action and granted the champion five minutes to recover.

Supporters started to worry after Aspinall was overheard telling the cageside doctor: "His f***ing finger was right in my eyeball mate," whilst also moaning that he couldn't see. Eventually, the referee called off the clash and the result was ruled a 'no contest.

Aspinall expressed his views on the bout before being rushed to hospital. "Guys I just got f***ing poked knuckle deep in the eyeball. Why are you booing? What am I supposed to do about it? I didn't do the f***ing poke. I can't see. This is bulls***. The fight was just getting going. Complete bulls***. I'm p***** off," a frustrated champion declared post-fight.

"I'm very sorry about that, for the crowd, for the fans, for everybody. Sorry for Tom Aspinall, sorry for myself," said Gane.

In a separate post-fight interview, the French heavyweight fighter said: "I'm a bit disappointed with the outcome of the fight... also because of the way the fight was going, because of the future."

Following the end of UFC 321, Dana White, the head honcho of UFC, confirmed to journalists at the post-fight press conference that the heavyweight clash will be rescheduled. "A total pain in the a**, but yes [I'd like to do the rematch]," he stated.