Tom Aspinall Expresses Frustration Over Crowd’s Reaction Following UFC 321 No Contest
Tom Aspinall was visibly dissatisfied with the reaction from the crowd after his recent fight at UFC 321. The British heavyweight champion felt frustrated, insisting that he couldn’t have done anything to influence the outcome as he was the victim in the situation.
Aspinall made his first heavyweight title defense as the undisputed champion against the No. 1-ranked contender Ciryl Gane in the main event at UFC 321, held Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The bout was highly competitive until the end of the first round, when Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in the eyes while throwing a punch.
The accidental eye poke compromised Aspinall’s vision, forcing a cage-side doctor to evaluate him during a prolonged rest period. With the British fighter visibly in pain and unable to continue, referee Jason Herzog ultimately declared the fight a no contest.
As Aspinall prepared to leave the octagon, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier asked him about his thoughts on the fight’s outcome. The reigning champion was clearly displeased with the crowd’s negative reaction, stating:
“Guys, I just got poked knuckle-deep in the eyeball. Why are you booing? What am I supposed to do about it? I didn’t do the f**king poke. I can’t see.”
Post-Fight Press Conference and Rematch Announcement
At the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White expressed his disappointment over the result. He reluctantly confirmed that Aspinall and Gane will face off again in a rematch:
“I feel the way everybody feels. Great showing, shi*ty ending. I think that after the [Jon] Jones fight, a lot of people wrote Ciryl Gane off. He looked damn good tonight. It looked like we were in for a few rounds, and it was going to be a good fight. I can’t make people fight. Total pain in the a*s but yes, [we’ll book the rematch]. They’re both in shape, other than whatever’s wrong with his eye. Both guys are not injured. As soon as possible.”
Looking Ahead
Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating the rematch between Aspinall and Gane, hoping for a decisive conclusion to what was otherwise an exciting matchup cut short by misfortune.
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About the Author
Swagat Kumar Jena is a dynamic MMA writer with experience spanning retail and sports journalism. Holding an MBA degree, he developed a passion for MMA after watching the iconic grudge match between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier at UFC 182 in early 2015.
Aspinall and Gane’s fight analysis and coverage are part of Jena’s commitment to accuracy and fresh, reliable content. Outside of writing, Swagat enjoys playing football and painting during his free time.
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