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Tom Aspinall returns to the Octagon Abu Dhabi Things didn't go as planned on Saturday night as his fight with Cyril Gane ended quickly after an accidental punch to the eye.
In fact, Gane hit Aspinall in both eyes late in the first round, which ultimately resulted in him losing the evening's main event.
But Aspinall's announcement that he could not continue sparked booing from the crowd and widespread debate among fans and pundits, including former UFC fighter and current ESPN analyst Chael Sonnen.
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Britain's Tom Aspinall reacts after being hit in the eye during his UFC heavyweight title bout with Cyril Gane at UFC 321 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in the early morning hours of October 26, 2025. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images)
“It's illegal to hit the eye, but fighting with one eye is very common,” Sonnen said on ESPN 321's post-fight show. “The opponent is trying to hit you in the eye, he's trying to break you down and give you a nosebleed. So there's a question mark on that part for guys like Anthony. [Smith] and I. We try to be polite. We try to show grace, but honestly you heavyweight champion peace. Sometimes you have to fight with one eye.”
A video replay showed Gane clearly getting both fingers into Aspinall's eyes, even though the heavyweight champion was holding an ice pack over his right eye after the match. He was furious during his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier.
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“Guys, I just got poked on the knuckle in the eyeball. What the fuck, why are you whistling? I haven’t asked what to do with this. I don't see! This is nonsense—-. The fight was just beginning. Complete nonsense—-.”
Aspinall added that he “can barely open his eye.”
Cyril Gane beats Tom Aspinall for the UFC Heavyweight Championship during UFC 321 at Etihad Arena on October 25, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Although there were some who wanted Aspinall to continue fighting, fellow MMA fighter Sean O'Malley defended him due to how dangerous Gane was.
“You're the UFC heavyweight champion of the world, you just got poked really hard in the eye, and you're fighting a really dangerous kickboxer. [bone]his eye swells and he cannot see. That's a different matter… Tom Aspinall could handle it.”
During the incident, Gane appeared to be giving Aspinall all he could, as Aspinall's nose was bloodied before the double jab. And since this was a title fight, the audience and everyone involved in the UFC would like to see a decent ending.
Tom Aspinall reacts after being hit in the eye during his fight with Cyril Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi in the early morning hours of October 26, 2025. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images)
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Aspinall, a 32-year-old Englishman, has not stepped into the Octagon since July 2024, when he pinned Curtis Blaydes one minute into the first round. Aspinall received redemption for losing just 15 seconds in his previous fight with Blaydes in July 2022 after suffering an injury. knee injury on impact.
Aspinall has a 15-3 career UFC career record with 11 knockouts and has never reached the third round in any of his fights.
