Severe Eye Injury Ends UFC 321 in No-Contest
Tom Aspinall’s heavyweight title defense at UFC 321 ended abruptly after an accidental eye poke from challenger Ciryl Gane forced the bout to a halt in the opening round. The incident, which occurred just minutes into the fight, left the British champion unable to continue, and the contest was officially ruled a no-contest by ringside officials. Aspinall was immediately taken to a local hospital in Abu Dhabi for medical evaluation following the injury.
Father Reveals Fighter’s Ongoing Vision Problems
Three days after the event, Aspinall’s father and coach, Andy Aspinall, told reporters that his son “still can’t see anything” from his right eye. He described the affected eye as appearing “just grey” and confirmed that additional scans and specialist consultations were underway. While initial medical tests ruled out orbital fractures, doctors are reportedly assessing potential retinal or nerve damage that could affect Aspinall’s long-term vision.
UFC and Medical Teams Monitor Recovery
UFC officials have expressed concern for Aspinall’s health, confirming that the champion remains under observation by medical specialists. Further updates are expected once the results of advanced imaging and ophthalmological assessments are complete. The organization has not announced a timeline for Aspinall’s return to competition, emphasizing that his recovery and eyesight are the top priorities following the freak accident that brought an abrupt end to his title defense.
