UFC 321 Results: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane Ends in No Contest After Eye Poke; Full Fight Card, Winners and Highlights

UFC 321 ended in unexpected controversy as the main event between heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and challenger Ciryl Gane was ruled a no contest following an eye poke. The fight took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 25, 2025, and ended just four minutes and thirty-six seconds into the first round.

Aspinall, known for his lightning-fast finishes, couldn’t continue after Gane’s accidental eye poke left him unable to see from his right eye. The crowd voiced its frustration, but the referee had no choice but to stop the fight. The highly anticipated bout, meant to mark Aspinall’s return after a 15-month layoff, ended without a clear winner.

UFC 321 Results and Highlights

Ciryl Gane looked sharp early in the fight, landing jabs and leg kicks that drew blood from Aspinall’s nose. However, as Round 1 wound down, Gane’s finger inadvertently poked Aspinall in the eye, leading to an immediate timeout. Despite several minutes of recovery, Aspinall admitted he could not see, prompting referee Jason Herzog to rule the fight a no contest.

“Guys, I just got poked knuckle-deep in the eyeball. What am I supposed to do about it? I can’t see,” Aspinall told the booing crowd. The English champion had entered the bout as a heavy favorite after dominating his last three opponents in under 80 seconds each.

Elsewhere on the UFC 321 card, Mackenzie Dern claimed the women’s strawweight title by unanimous decision over Virna Jandiroba, while Umar Nurmagomedov secured a clean 30-27 victory across all judges’ scorecards against Mario Bautista. Alexander Volkov edged Jailton Almeida via split decision, and Azamat Murzakanov defeated Aleksandar Rakic by first-round TKO.

Prelims Recap and Key Moments

On the prelims, Quillan Salkilld scored one of the most memorable moments of the night with a knockout head kick against Nasrat Haqparast. Other winners included Mizuki Inoue, Mitch Raposo, Hamdy Abdelwahab, and Valter Walker. Slovak fighter Ludovit Klein also won his bout but suffered a broken ankle in the final round, requiring medical attention immediately after the fight.

UFC 321 was packed with international talent and showcased rising stars across divisions, despite the anticlimactic ending to the main event. Fans are now calling for an immediate rematch between Aspinall and Gane once the champion recovers.

What’s Next After UFC 321?

With the no contest result, Tom Aspinall remains the heavyweight champion. However, the unresolved finish has created uncertainty in the division. A rematch with Ciryl Gane seems inevitable in early 2026, according to multiple reports from ESPN and MMA Junkie.

Mackenzie Dern’s victory marks her first major title win, setting her up as the new face of the strawweight division. Meanwhile, Umar Nurmagomedov’s continued dominance keeps him firmly in the bantamweight title picture.

UFC 321 proved dramatic from start to finish, highlighted by high-level performances and a controversial main event that left fans demanding answers. For now, Aspinall’s reign continues, but a rematch with Gane looks destined to headline 2026’s early UFC calendar.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why was the Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane fight ruled a no contest?

The fight ended after an accidental eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to see from his right eye. Referee Jason Herzog stopped the bout at 4:36 in Round 1.

Q2: Who won the women’s strawweight title at UFC 321?

Mackenzie Dern defeated Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision to capture the women’s strawweight championship.

Q3: Where was UFC 321 held?

UFC 321 took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Q4: What were the other key results from UFC 321?

Umar Nurmagomedov beat Mario Bautista by unanimous decision, Alexander Volkov defeated Jailton Almeida by split decision, and Azamat Murzakanov won via TKO over Aleksandar Rakic.

Q5: Will there be a rematch between Aspinall and Gane?

Yes, a rematch is expected in early 2026 after the no contest ruling, though no official date has been announced yet.