News Summary
The main event of UFC 321 featured a heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, which ended in a controversial no contest due to an accidental eye poke. UFC President Dana White expressed frustration at the outcome and announced that a rematch is in the works, likely at UFC 323. In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern won the vacant women’s strawweight title, dedicating her victory to her daughter. The eye poke incident has sparked discussions on referee enforcement in MMA.
Las Vegas – The main event of UFC 321 ended in controversy when a heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane was declared a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. The incident occurred at the 4:35 mark of the first round, which ultimately led to officials stopping the fight and ruling it a no contest at 4:09 in the round. Aspinall, with a record of 15 wins, 3 losses, and no draws, was unable to continue after the poke affected his vision.
UFC President Dana White expressed his frustration regarding the fight’s outcome, describing the ending as “shitty.” In response to the unexpected turn of events, White confirmed that a rematch between Aspinall and Gane will take place, emphasizing that both fighters are in excellent shape and should face off again as soon as possible. The ideal timeframe being discussed for the rematch is at UFC 323, scheduled for December 6.
In the co-main event of the evening, Mackenzie Dern triumphed over Virna Jandiroba in a unanimous decision, claiming the vacant women’s strawweight title. Dern’s victory was particularly special for her, as she dedicated the win to her daughter, Moa, leading to an emotional celebration after the fight. Dern’s record now stands at 12 wins and 2 losses.
In other notable matches, Umar Nurmagomedov, with a record of 19 wins and 1 loss, won a unanimous decision against Mario Bautista, who holds a record of 16 wins and 3 losses, in a bantamweight eliminator. In the heavyweight division, Alexander Volkov achieved a split-decision victory over Jailton Almeida, who maintains a record of 22 wins and 4 losses. Additionally, Azamat Murzakanov improved his record to 16 wins and no losses with a first-round stoppage against Aleksandar Rakic, who now has 6 losses in 14 fights.
The controversial eye poke incident marked a historical moment, as it was the first time an immediate no contest concluded a main event title fight in UFC history. During the early moments of the fight, Gane demonstrated a strong performance with effective footwork and striking, but the match was abruptly halted before either fighter could find their stride.
The incident has reignited discussions surrounding the enforcement of fouls and the need for stricter refereeing within the Octagon. Many observers noted that better oversight could help prevent similar situations in future fights.
Dana White’s commitment to scheduling a rematch between Aspinall and Gane reflects the ongoing interest and intrigue in the heavyweight title picture, despite the unfortunate circumstances of this fight. Both fighters had been eager for the opportunity to compete, and the rematch could potentially provide clarity in a division that is often filled with uncertainty and competition.
As the MMA community awaits the rematch, fans remain hopeful that the next encounter will allow both fighters to showcase their skills without interruption, ultimately delivering the thrilling spectacle expected from a heavyweight title fight.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Title Fight Ends in No-Contest at UFC 321
UFC 321: Heavyweight Championship Showdown in Abu Dhabi
UFC 321: Aspinall Defends Heavyweight Title Against Gane
Abu Dhabi Hosts UFC 321 Title Showdown
Las Vegas to Host UFC 320 Featuring Two Title Fights
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 INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
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