Tom Aspinall’s first defence of his undisputed heavyweight title ended in bitter disappointment after an accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane left the Briton unable to continue at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
At the end of a competitive first round, France’s Gane poked Aspinall in both eyes while attempting a punch, with the referee stopping the contest.
Aspinall, 32, could be seen telling the doctor “I can’t see” as he held a cloth to his eye, and with the Briton unable to fight on the referee deemed the bout a no contest.
The result meant Aspinall retained his title – but not in the way he wanted to and he showed his frustration in his post-fight interview as the crowd booed the outcome.
“Guys, I just got poked knuckle deep in the eyeball. Why are you booing? I can’t see,” said a crestfallen Aspinall.
“The fight was just getting going. I can hardly open my eye. Look! It was a double eye poke.”
Calling the fight a no contest means the referee deemed the foul accidental rather than intentional, which would have resulted in a disqualification.
Gane was equally annoyed at the outcome and could be seen pacing around the edge of the octagon, shaking his head, as the result was announced.
“I feel sorry. I’m sorry for the crowd, for the fans, I’m sorry for Tom Aspinall and sorry for myself,” said Gane.
“We put a lot of energy in this fight so I’m disappointed, but this is the sport, this is life.
“I don’t know what is going to happen for the future, but we will see.”
The fight was billed as ushering in a new era in the UFC’s heavyweight division, and with Aspinall stating his intention to get the heavyweight division moving this latest setback will be devastating.
Aspinall was defending his belt for the first time after being upgraded from interim champion in June when former champion Jon Jones retired.
He spent 19 months as the interim title holder, waiting for an undisputed fight with Jones to materialise, before the American retired.
The result is is all the more frustrating because the first round showed signs of Gane testing Aspinall like none of his previous UFC opponents.
Aspinall went into the fight having finished seven of his eight UFC wins in the first round, but he was unable to assert control over Gane.
Gane attacked with leg kicks and quick one-twos while keeping out of Aspinall’s dangerous range with skilled footwork.
More to follow.