Overview
- The UFC 321 heavyweight title fight in Abu Dhabi on October 25, 2025 ended as a no‑contest after Ciryl Gane repeatedly poked Tom Aspinall in the eyes and Aspinall could not continue.
- Rogan and guest Rico Verhoeven defended Aspinall on the Joe Rogan Experience, saying online critics unfairly accused the champion of quitting and pointing to clear video of the eye pokes.
- Aspinall underwent two eye surgeries early in 2026 and multiple outlets report he has been medically cleared to return and is waiting for confirmation of a rematch.
- Gane won an interim heavyweight title in June 2026 by finishing Alex Pereira, which makes the expected Aspinall–Gane unification bout the next logical step for the division.
- Tensions between promoters and managers, including Aspinall’s ties to Eddie Hearn and public friction with UFC figures, have complicated matchmaking and kept the heavyweight picture unsettled.