News Summary
The heavyweight title bout between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended unexpectedly as it was declared a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. UFC President Dana White expressed his frustration over the outcome, but confirmed plans for a rematch at UFC 323. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Dern won the women’s strawweight title, while other fighters also achieved significant victories. This event highlighted the need for stricter refereeing in the sport to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Las Vegas – UFC 321 Main Event Declared No Contest
The highly anticipated heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in controversy as it was declared a no contest due to an accidental eye poke at the 4:35 mark of the first round. Aspinall, with a record of 15 wins and 3 losses, was unable to continue after the incident impaired his vision.
Officials ruled the fight a no contest at just 4:09 into the stoppage. The unexpected end to the bout has drawn significant attention, prompting UFC President Dana White to express his frustration, describing the situation as a “shitty ending.” White assured fans and followers that there would be a rematch between Aspinall and Gane, emphasizing that both fighters are in excellent shape and should face off again as soon as possible, potentially at UFC 323, scheduled for December 6.
Co-Main Event Highlights
In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern secured the vacant women’s strawweight title by defeating Virna Jandiroba. Dern triumphed via unanimous decision, dedicating her emotional victory to her daughter, Moa. This win reflects her ascent in the division and her commitment to the sport.
Further excitement in the bantamweight division came from Umar Nurmagomedov, who claimed victory over Mario Bautista through unanimous decision in an important eliminator. In the heavyweight division, Alexander Volkov edged out Jailton Almeida by split decision, adding another notable result to his record.
Additionally, Azamat Murzakanov demonstrated his striking prowess with a first-round stoppage of Aleksandar Rakic in the light heavyweight category. This emphatic victory improved Murzakanov’s flawless record to 16-0.
Context and Reactions
UFC 321 made history as it marked the first instance of a main event title fight concluding with an immediate no contest due to an inadvertent foul like an eye poke. The fight was anticipated due to Gane’s earlier performances, where he displayed strong footwork and striking, prompting discussions about the potential for his resurgence in the heavyweight division.
White’s endorsement of the rematch suggests that there is still a strong interest in the heavyweight title picture, despite the unsatisfactory conclusion to the event. The eye poke incident has also sparked dialogue surrounding the enforcement of fouls in mixed martial arts and the necessity for stricter refereeing in the Octagon to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The UFC continues to champion the competitive spirit of its fighters, and despite the unfortunate ending to the title bout, the organization is set to keep the excitement alive with prospects for future rematches and ongoing title fights in various divisions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
No Contest Declared in UFC 321 Heavyweight Title Fight
Aspinall to Defend Heavyweight Title Against Gane at UFC 321
Abu Dhabi to Host UFC 321 with Major Fights
Abu Dhabi Hosts UFC 321 Heavyweight Championship Fight
UFC 320 Set for Las Vegas with 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 MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
