UPDATE: The highly anticipated heavyweight title bout between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi ended in a shocking no contest due to an incidental eye poke, leaving the heavyweight division in disarray. Fans and fighters alike are reeling from the abrupt finish that occurred just minutes into the main event on October 21, 2023.
The fight was expected to be a defining moment for Aspinall, marking his first title defense. Instead, this unfortunate incident has raised serious questions about the future of the heavyweight division, which many believe is currently in ruins. Observers are left pondering the implications of this result, especially with a lack of clarity surrounding the next steps for both fighters.
With the UFC’s focus diverted to the delayed matchup between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, the heavyweight landscape feels stagnant. Analysts are questioning whether the UFC made a grave error by prioritizing that bout over promoting rising stars like Aspinall, who could have energized the division.
In a turn of events that thrilled fans, Mackenzie Dern emerged victorious, claiming the women’s strawweight title after defeating Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision earlier in the night. Dern’s performance was particularly notable, showcasing her evolution as a fighter with an effective striking game that allowed her to control the fight. The bout marked a pivotal moment for Dern, who had been striving for this success since her UFC debut in 2018.
Despite having a mixed record of 5-4 in her last nine fights, Dern’s victory has reignited interest in the strawweight division. Should former champion Zhang Weili return after her upcoming flyweight title fight against Valentina Shevchenko on November 15, 2023, she would likely be a favorite to reclaim her title from Dern.
In the heavyweight division, the aftermath of the Aspinall-Gane no contest has many speculating on the future of contenders like Alexander Volkov. Despite winning his last fight against Jailton Almeida, his performance raised doubts about his ability to challenge for the title again, especially after previously losing to both Aspinall and Gane.
Meanwhile, Umar Nurmagomedov solidified his status as a top contender in the bantamweight category with a dominant performance against Mario Bautista. He successfully landed nearly 60% of his strikes and recorded 11 takedowns, setting the stage for a potential rematch with champion Merab Dvalishvili.
As analysts weigh in on the implications of UFC 321, the conversation is increasingly centered on how the organization can revitalize the heavyweight division. The no contest leaves fans with more questions than answers, and the UFC may need to act quickly to reschedule the Aspinall-Gane fight and restore momentum to a division that feels stuck in neutral.
Fans are left wondering about the future of fighters like Aspinall, who expressed frustration after the fight. His father has hinted at exploring options outside the UFC, including a potential move to boxing, following the footsteps of former champion Francis Ngannou.
The UFC’s next moves will be critical in shaping the landscape of both the heavyweight and strawweight divisions. With urgency in the air and fans eager for clarity, all eyes will be on the organization in the coming weeks as they navigate the fallout from this pivotal event.
