UFC President Dana White confirmed that the promotion is moving quickly to rebook the heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane following the controversial ending to their main event at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. The fight, which was expected to be one of the most technically intriguing heavyweight matchups of the year, ended abruptly after an accidental double eye poke rendered Aspinall unable to continue. The bout was officially declared a no contest, leaving both fighters without resolution and the heavyweight division without clarity.

Speaking after the event, White acknowledged the disappointment shared by fans and fighters alike. He called the situation “a pain in the ass” but said there was no doubt about what comes next: a rematch as soon as possible. “It was a great fight with a terrible ending,” White said. “These two deserve to run it back. They were both in great shape, both looked sharp, and everyone watching knows this fight needs a real finish. We’ll make it happen as soon as Tom is cleared.”

The timing of that rematch will depend largely on Aspinall’s recovery. The champion was transported to a local hospital for precautionary treatment immediately after the fight, and while early reports suggest no serious damage, the commission will require a medical clearance before he returns to competition. White emphasized that once Aspinall is ready, the UFC will prioritize the rematch above any other heavyweight booking. The organization’s event calendar for late 2025 is nearly full, but internal discussions are already looking toward an early 2026 date. London, Paris, and Sydney have all been floated as potential host cities, with Sydney gaining traction due to the UFC’s recently expanded broadcast partnership in Australia.

Aspinall, who entered the fight as the reigning undisputed heavyweight champion following Jon Jones’s official retirement, was visibly frustrated in the aftermath of the accidental foul. The British standout had been controlling distance well and seemed to be finding his rhythm when the eye poke occurred. He told officials he couldn’t see clearly and that attempting to continue would have been unsafe. Though the no contest allows him to retain the belt, Aspinall made it clear in interviews that he doesn’t want to keep the title without a definitive victory. “It’s not how I wanted my first defense to go,” he said afterward. “We’ll run it back as soon as I’m cleared. Nobody wants to win or lose like that.”

For Ciryl Gane, the ending was equally disheartening. The French contender, known for his precision striking and movement, immediately apologized to Aspinall in the cage and later to fans. This was Gane’s third opportunity to claim the heavyweight title after previous losses in championship bouts, and the anticlimactic conclusion leaves his pursuit of gold unfinished. Gane has since expressed that he welcomes the rematch, promising to prove that his success in the opening exchanges was just a glimpse of what he could have delivered over five rounds.

The unexpected outcome leaves the heavyweight division in a temporary standstill. With Aspinall retaining his championship status and White ruling out any interim title plans, contenders such as Sergei Pavlovich, Curtis Blaydes, and Jailton Almeida will have to wait until the rematch plays out before any new title opportunities arise. The UFC views the Aspinall-Gane pairing as unfinished business and intends to settle it properly rather than complicate the division with additional belts.

White also hinted that the promotion views both Aspinall and Gane as key players in the company’s international strategy heading into 2026. Aspinall, one of the most marketable British champions in recent memory, has become a major star in the UK, while Gane remains one of France’s most recognizable athletes. Rebooking their fight in Europe or the Asia-Pacific region would not only resolve the championship question but also serve as a showcase event for the sport’s continued global expansion.

Fans and analysts have universally agreed that the original fight was showing flashes of brilliance before the accidental foul. Gane’s jab and lateral movement tested Aspinall early, while the champion’s leg kicks and counterpunching suggested the bout could have developed into a tactical war. That glimpse of what might have been has only fueled demand for a rematch.

White summed it up plainly in his post-event comments: “Nobody’s happy with how it ended, but both these guys are pros, and they both want to fight again. We’ll get it done. The fans deserve a real ending, and the heavyweight division deserves closure.”

For now, the UFC 321 controversy will hang over the division, but it has also set the stage for one of the most anticipated rematches in recent heavyweight history. Whether it takes place in London, Paris, or Sydney, Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane will meet again soon — and this time, everyone involved will be determined to leave with no doubts, no controversy, and no unfinished business.