Ciryl Gane has opened up about the eye poke incident that prematurely ended his heavyweight title fight against Tom Aspinall at UFC 321. The bout, which was highly anticipated, ended in a no-contest after an accidental poke disrupted the action early in the first round. This marked Gane’s third attempt at claiming the undisputed UFC heavyweight crown, leaving him disappointed but determined to move forward.
The UFC 321 Incident
During UFC 321, Gane appeared to be settling into his game plan against Aspinall when the unfortunate eye poke occurred, halting the fight just minutes into the first round. Fans and analysts alike were left stunned by the abrupt ending, which overshadowed the fighters’ performances.
Gane emphasised that the poke was entirely unintentional, explaining that accidental contact is a natural part of mixed martial arts, where hand positioning and split-second movements can result in fouls. Despite the controversy, he reflected positively on his first-round performance, noting that he was executing his strategy effectively before the incident.
Looking Ahead
While the premature stoppage was frustrating, Gane remains focused on the future. He plans to spend some personal time with his family before strategising with his coaching team for potential rematch opportunities. The eye poke incident, though disappointing, has not dampened Gane’s competitive spirit, and fans can expect him to return to the octagon with renewed determination to capture the heavyweight title.
With discussions of a rematch likely, the UFC heavyweight division remains wide open, and Gane is eager to prove himself in future bouts, ensuring that his quest for the championship continues despite the setback at UFC 321.
