News Summary
The main event of UFC 321 concluded with a no contest after an accidental eye poke halted the fight between heavyweight contenders Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. The incident occurred in the first round, leading to a historic ruling that has sparked discussions on officiating standards. Dana White has promised a rematch to clarify the heavyweight title picture following the controversial ending. Other notable fights at the event included Mackenzie Dern winning the women’s strawweight title and Umar Nurmagomedov advancing in the bantamweight division.
Las Vegas, Nevada – UFC 321 Main Event Ends in No Contest Following Accidental Eye Poke; Dana White Promises Rematch
The main event of UFC 321, held in Las Vegas, concluded unexpectedly after an accidental eye poke caused a no contest between heavyweight contenders Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. The fight, which was highly anticipated as a potential title eliminator, was halted in the first round after the incident at 4:35 minutes, with the match officially declared a no contest at 4:09 minutes into the fight.
Details of the Fight and the Incident
At the time of the stoppage, Aspinall was engaged in a competitive exchange with Gane, with both fighters demonstrating their skills and strategy. Gane exhibited strong footwork and striking ability early on, creating challenges for Aspinall. However, the match was abruptly interrupted when Aspinall was accidentally poked in the eye by Gane with an open hand.
The eye poke appeared to significantly impair Aspinall’s vision, preventing him from continuing the bout. Despite attempts to recover, Aspinall was unable to see clearly or defend himself adequately, leading to the referee’s decision to halt the fight and declare it a no contest.
Official Outcome and Reactions
The UFC officiating team, following standard protocols, deemed the eye poke unintentional but impactful enough to warrant a no contest ruling. This marked a historic moment, being the first time in UFC history that a main event title fight ended with an immediate no contest due to an inadvertent eye poke. The decision left both fighters and fans in suspense regarding the future of the heavyweight division’s championship picture.
The promotion’s president, Dana White, publicly expressed his frustration about the fight’s abrupt ending. White described the outcome as a “shitty ending” and emphasized the importance of fairness and clarity in contest results. Despite the disappointing finish, White stated that both Aspinall and Gane are in excellent physical condition and should have the opportunity to rematch at the earliest possible date.
Announced Rematch and Future Plans
In response to the controversy, Dana White announced that a rematch between Aspinall and Gane is scheduled to take place soon. White highlighted the fighters’ readiness and also pointed out that the rematch could take place at UFC 323, set for December 6. He stressed the urgent need to resolve the title contention swiftly, to restore clarity to the heavyweight division’s rankings.
Other Notable Outcomes from UFC 321
Among the undercard bouts, Mackenzie Dern secured the vacant women’s strawweight title by defeating Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision. Dern’s emotional victory was notably dedicated to her daughter, Moa, celebrating a significant milestone in her fighting career.
In the bantamweight division, Umar Nurmagomedov earned a unanimous decision over Mario Bautista in an eliminator match, advancing his pursuit of the division’s top contenders.
Heavyweight veteran Alexander Volkov achieved a split decision victory over Jailton Almeida, while in the light heavyweight division, Azamat Murzakanov scored a first-round stoppage against Aleksandar Rakic.
Significance and Future Implications
The incident at UFC 321 has reignited discussions about the enforcement of fouls and the need for stricter officiating standards during fights. Experts and fans continue to debate whether referees should be more proactive in penalizing accidental fouls to prevent controversial outcomes.
Despite the unusual conclusion, Dana White’s endorsement of an immediate rematch illustrates the UFC’s desire to quickly settle the heavyweight title contention. Both fighters’ readiness and White’s commitment suggest fans can expect a swift return to the Octagon for a decisive rematch, which could have significant implications for the division’s future hierarchy.
Overall, UFC 321’s main event will be remembered as a historic yet controversial chapter in UFC history, needing resolution through an upcoming rematch to determine the true heavyweight champion.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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UFC 320 to Feature Two Title Fights at T-Mobile Arena
Additional Resources
- New York Post: UFC 321 Controversy
- CBS Sports: UFC 321 Results
- MMA Junkie: Mackenzie Dern’s Victory
- Wikipedia: Mixed Martial Arts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mixed Martial Arts
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
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