News Summary
The heavyweight title fight at UFC 321 between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended in controversy as a no contest was declared due to an accidental eye poke. UFC President Dana White criticized the outcome, but announced a rematch could occur soon. Mackenzie Dern captured the women’s strawweight title with a unanimous decision win over Virna Jandiroba. The event sparked discussions on officiating in the sport as fighters and fans await the anticipated rematch in the heavyweight division.
Las Vegas, NV – The main event of UFC 321 ended in controversy as the 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, with Aspinall unable to continue the bout after reporting impaired vision. The official ruling of no contest was made at 4:09 in the stoppage.
UFC President Dana White expressed his frustration regarding the fight’s outcome, describing it as a “shitty ending.” Despite the disappointing conclusion, White announced that both fighters are set for a rematch, emphasizing their preparedness and eagerness to compete again as soon as possible. He indicated that the rematch could potentially take place at UFC 323, scheduled for December 6.
In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern claimed the vacant women’s strawweight title by defeating Virna Jandiroba through a unanimous decision. The victory was particularly emotional for Dern, who dedicated her win to her daughter, Moa.
In other notable fights on the UFC 321 card, Umar Nurmagomedov secured a unanimous decision victory over Mario Bautista in a bantamweight eliminator, while Alexander Volkov triumphed via split decision against Jailton Almeida in the heavyweight division. In light heavyweight competition, Azamat Murzakanov scored an impressive first-round stoppage against Aleksandar Rakic.
This event marked a historic moment in UFC history, as it was the first time a main event title fight concluded with an immediate no contest due to an inadvertent foul like an eye poke. Gane demonstrated strong performance early on, showcasing effective footwork and striking before the bout was halted, adding to the disappointment felt by fans and fighters alike.
The incident has sparked discussions within the mixed martial arts community regarding the enforcement of fouls and the necessity for stricter refereeing in the Octagon. Dana White’s commitment to a rematch highlights ongoing interest in the heavyweight title picture despite the controversial ending to the main event.
As both fighters eagerly await their chance for redemption, fans are left looking forward to what is set to be an exciting rematch, poised to clarify the competitive standings within the heavyweight division. With the rematch potentially on the horizon, interest in the heavyweight title race continues unabated.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
No Contest Result in Heavyweight Title Fight at UFC 321
Tom Aspinall to Defend Heavyweight Title at UFC 321
UFC 321 Set for Abu Dhabi Featuring Heavyweight Championship Bout
Aspinall Defends Heavyweight Title Against Gane at UFC 321
UFC 320 Features Major 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
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