Ali Akbar Rosady
Abu Dhabi, UAE – British heavyweight sensation Tom Aspinall has vehemently defended his decision to halt his UFC 321 title defense against Ciryl Gane, lambasting detractors who questioned his integrity following the no-contest ruling. The highly anticipated main event, held in Abu Dhabi on October 25, ended prematurely in the first round due to an accidental eye poke, leaving Aspinall unable to continue and casting a pall over what was meant to be his crowning moment as undisputed champion. The aftermath has seen Aspinall confront a torrent of criticism from various quarters, including segments of the fanbase, fellow fighters, and even UFC CEO Dana White, prompting a robust and unreserved response from the Manchester native.
Aspinall, who holds a professional record of 14 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no-contest, expressed profound disbelief at the accusations leveled against him. "I realized, ‘Oh, people genuinely think that I faked this,’" Aspinall recounted during an interview with Uncrowned. "And then I was like, did people actually see the replay of what happened because that was a full-on eye poke. So then I was like, what is going on? Why are people thinking I’m faking this after everything I’ve been through to get there."
The incident occurred just 67 seconds into the contest. As Aspinall and Gane engaged in an early exchange, Gane’s outstretched fingers inadvertently made contact with Aspinall’s left eye. Referee Herb Dean immediately paused the action, and the ringside doctor was called in to assess Aspinall’s condition. Despite Aspinall’s efforts to recover, he indicated he could not see clearly, leading to the unfortunate declaration of a no-contest. This outcome marked a significant setback for Aspinall, who was making his first defense of the undisputed heavyweight title, a belt he had claimed after Jon Jones vacated it following his retirement.
Aspinall’s journey to the top of the heavyweight division has been characterized by both explosive performances and periods of adversity. Known for his blend of speed, power, and submission skills, he rapidly ascended the ranks, securing victories over formidable opponents such as Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich. However, his career has also been punctuated by serious injuries, most notably a severe knee injury sustained in July 2022 that sidelined him for over a year. This prior experience with injury and a rigorous recovery process has seemingly deepened his frustration with those questioning his current predicament.
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To counter the skepticism, Aspinall detailed the extensive medical evaluations he underwent post-fight. "So then I left it quite a while and I thought, right, I’ve got to get all the doctor’s notes included. I’ve been through it for loads and loads of tests for weeks. I’ve literally been in the hospital two or three times a week getting tests," he explained. Despite presenting official medical reports confirming the severity of the eye injury, Aspinall found himself facing renewed accusations of exploiting the situation. "Then I come up with a doctor’s report and people are like, ‘He’s f*cking crying about it. He’s doing a media tour on it. He’s milking it.’ I’m like, bro, if you don’t believe the eye poke and you don’t believe the doctor’s report, what are we doing? What’s going on here? I didn’t make this shit up."
Aspinall’s exasperation culminated in a pointed rebuke of his critics. "Go watch the replay, check out the doctor reports. I’m at the point where you just cannot please these guys. These guys are f*cking losers. These guys are just crazy haters who have got nothing good going on in their life, obviously." He reiterated his appreciation for his loyal fanbase, stating, "I’ve still got a lot of fans. I wanted to keep my fans updated with what’s going on and I appreciate everybody that’s stuck by me."
The criticism extended to UFC CEO Dana White, who had publicly voiced his disappointment with Aspinall’s inability to continue. Aspinall addressed White’s comments in a separate video, asserting that he did not continue fighting "because I’m not a fcking dummy." He clarified to Uncrowned* that while he hasn’t spoken directly with White since UFC 321, their relationship isn’t typically one of casual conversation, suggesting there’s no underlying personal animosity. Aspinall’s stance underscores a professional pragmatism, prioritizing long-term health and career longevity over pushing through a potentially career-threatening injury. This perspective often contrasts with the "warrior spirit" narrative sometimes promoted within combat sports, where fighters are encouraged to fight through immense pain.
Another element of the criticism focused on the perception that Gane, with his record of 12 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no-contest, was performing well in the early exchanges, leading some to suggest Aspinall sought an exit from the fight. Gane, known for his elite striking and evasive movement, did land some "sharp striking" against Aspinall in the brief first round. Aspinall dismissed this notion, addressing the bleeding from his nose during the fight. "My nose is all good," he stated. "I broke my nose probably three or four times in my life. All my sparring partners know that you hit me in the nose, it’s going to bleed. But the Gen Z – I don’t even know if it’s Gen Z, so I don’t want to blame that generation – the kind of casual noob hater MMA fan that sees one bit of blood and think that guy’s losing a fight, it’s wild."
Aspinall emphasized his extensive fighting experience, including his amateur career, to dismiss any insinuation of panic or seeking an escape. "These people must think I’m literally unstoppable just because I’ve got a bloody nose I’m losing a fight. I got hit with a couple of jabs and a couple of low kicks. You really think I got to this position having 30 MMA fights or whatever I’ve had including my amateur career that if I get hit a couple of times in the nose I start looking for a way out? Come on." His comments highlight a common disconnect between experienced fighters, who understand the nuances of combat, and casual observers who may misinterpret superficial signs of damage.
The controversy has also drawn the attention of former undisputed heavyweight champion Jon Jones, with whom Aspinall has had a long-standing, albeit indirect, rivalry. Aspinall has frequently expressed his desire to face Jones to truly solidify his claim as the division’s best. Jones, a figure revered as arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, but also known for his controversial past and occasional online provocations, seized upon the UFC 321 incident. Jones changed his social media profile picture to a duck wearing an eye patch – a clear jab at Aspinall, whose supporters have often accused Jones of "ducking" a fight with the Brit in recent years. Further escalating the taunts, Jones later appeared at a "Dirty Boxing" event riding a horse that was also sporting an eye patch.
Aspinall, however, appeared largely unfazed by Jones’s antics, indicating a weariness with the prolonged narrative surrounding a potential fight between them. Despite Jones, who had briefly retired, teasing a comeback at "UFC White House" next June, Aspinall conveyed a desire to move past the discussion. "Good for him," Aspinall said dismissively. "I thought this guy was the GOAT. Focused on yourself, you’re retired. Just do your own thing. If you’re so much better than everybody else, just go and enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about what I’m doing."
Aspinall’s comments suggest a shift in his focus, acknowledging the unlikelihood of a bout with Jones materializing. "I was trying to get a fight with him, I realize that’s not going to happen," he conceded. He added a pointed remark about Jones, stating, "Jon’s just doing some damage to himself out there, so I’ll let him do his thing." This could be interpreted as a subtle reference to Jones’s history of legal troubles and out-of-cage incidents that have sometimes overshadowed his legendary fighting career.
The no-contest ruling leaves the UFC heavyweight division in a state of flux. While Aspinall retains his undisputed title, the absence of a decisive victory means his reign begins under a cloud of controversy. The immediate future for Aspinall involves full recovery from his eye injury and a decision on his next opponent. A rematch with Ciryl Gane remains a strong possibility, given the inconclusive nature of their first encounter. Other top contenders, such as Curtis Blaydes or Jailton Almeida, could also emerge as potential challengers. For now, Aspinall is focused on rehabilitating his eye, silencing his critics, and preparing for his next legitimate defense, aiming to leave no doubt about his championship caliber.
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