X/@danawhite
UFC President Dana White took charge of the promotion of the interim heavyweight championship fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, which got stopped before the second round due to an eye poke inflicted by Gane that made Aspinall unable to fight. The fight that took place in Abu Dhabi and was aired live on pay-per-view was ruled a no contest that gave rise to discussion about athletes’ safety and sportsmanship. Many viewers were disappointed with the anticlimactic end and were left wondering about the outcome of the event.
Advertisement
White had the right high ground to promote the fight, using his typical promotional skill, tagging ESPN, and making the Abu Dhabi location known. The thrill of two heavyweights fighting was hard to ignore. Unfortunately, the fight was stopped because of an accidental foul less than a round into the action, which meant that the championship was determined by a medical stoppage.
The trouble began when Gane attempted to move his hand towards Aspinall’s face during a grappling situation, but inadvertently his fingers ended up in the eyes of the British fighter. Aspinall immediately pulled back in agony and a referee was summoned. After allowing him to recover for a short period of time, Aspinall said that he was not seeing properly and therefore the referee called off the fight at 2:37 of the first round.
The audience’s reaction was quick and divided. One person expressed discontent by saying, “Come on, Cyril after less than a round in a championship match that he eye raked someone? He said the win was bullshit, and he would make it right for Volkov; if he defeats Almeida, he will be next?” This comment referred to many controversies regarding matchmaking and the conduct of fighters that are still going on.
A different commentator saw it in a more dramatic light and, referring to the incident, said it was like a scene from a violent video game: “What a dreadful moment! The guy’s eyes were turned into two fingers. This is not MMA anymore; it’s Mortal Kombat. Dana can turn the UFC into a business, but he will never be able to make it a real sport.” The remark reflects the ongoing conflict between the entertaining aspects of mixed martial arts and its recognition as a competitive sport.
There were voices of support that Aspinall should not have continued coming from various directions. One user questioned the fighter’s decision, “Those who talk against Tom should stop watching this sport. All the comments saying he should continue after that disgraceful act of Gane, which should be punished, are blatant indications that the person who wrote it should not be watching MMA but something else.” This position emphasizes fighter safety over the spectacle.
The financial aspect did not go unnoticed either, with one disgruntled viewer complaining, “That was a bullshit fight!! I want my money back, Dana!!!” This candid reaction stresses the close economic relationship between promoters and consumers in the combat sports realm, where unsatisfactory outcomes are often seen as financial losses for ticket holders.
“This comment depicts how the discontent with one fight can lead to a demand for more attractive fights to be held. Nobody gives a damn about this fight. We want legends!!! Dana White, you better stop fking around and get the GOAT Jonny Bones vs. CHAMP Alex Pereira at the WHITE HOUSE done, signed, and promoted.”
Aspinall vs Gane is LIVE NEXT on @espn PPV! #UFC321 @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/JcVT8x96Uc
— danawhite (@danawhite) October 25, 2025
The eye poke incident has once again triggered the safety issue as far as fighters in MMA is concerned. Such unintentional fouls are considered part of the sport, yet the frequent occurrence of eye pokes has led people to ask for better-designed gloves, as well as enforcing more strictly the rules about hand placement. Some even suggest point deductions for any action of fingers toward an opponent’s face, regardless of whether contact is made or not.
It’s no secret that injuries to the eye can be of various degrees, from mild irritation to the worst case scenario, total blindness. Fighters are still having to battle with their instincts as competitors against their health in the long run, so it makes sense to consider Aspinall’s choice to pull out as a safe one, even though it is a bummer for the show.
The UFC will have to go through the same process again now to reschedule this interim title fight keeping in mind the fans’ expectations. With Jon Jones still in the rehabilitation process and the Heavyweight division requiring clarity, the promoter has to quickly determine what the next step in action for Aspinall and Gane will be. It remains unclear whether they are going to have a rematch or if the door will be open for new contenders.
This saga is just another one in the ongoing struggle of balancing fighter safety, promotional interests, and viewer expectations in the case of today’s mixed martial arts. Accidents are inevitable to happen in combat sports; however, the frequency and impact of these accidents will keep on influencing the sport’s development in terms of the rules and the protective gear. The Aspinall-Gane no contest may be one of those occasions that incite the discussion about how to protect athletes while still providing the audience with thrilling competition at the same time.
Advertisement
In the end, this situation can be a litmus test for the UFC to see if it can coordinate the entertainment factor with the athlete’s welfare, which is a challenge that has always been part of the organization’s evolution as a global sports brand. This incident has drawn comparisons to other controversial UFC fights where fans questioned fighters’ condition.
