What really happened to Tom Aspinall after that brutal eye poke by Ciryl Gane in the UFC heavyweight title fight

Tom Aspinall could not see and was rushed to hospital after getting poked hard in the eye during his UFC heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi. The fight ended as a no-contest after just four minutes, even though Aspinall was the defending champion.

Fans were shocked as the doctor stepped in and stopped the fight because Aspinall kept saying, “I can’t see.”

Tom Aspinall explains what happened inside the cage

Tom Aspinall walked out with huge cheers from the Abu Dhabi crowd, while Ciryl Gane was loudly booed. The fight started fast. Aspinall landed early punches, then Gane hit back. Aspinall was bleeding from his nose but still looked sharp. Suddenly, as Tom Aspinall went to throw a kick, Gane’s fingers went straight into his eyes while throwing a punch.

It was not done on purpose but it was very bad.The referee gave a five-minute break, but after four minutes, Aspinall still could not see. He was seen telling the doctor, “I can’t see.” The doctor then told the referee that he had “no immediate concern about the globe,” meaning the eyeball was safe, but Aspinall could not keep fighting. The referee waved off the fight as a no-contest.Right after that, the fans started booing, and Aspinall reacted on the mic.

“Guys, I just got fing poked knuckle deep in the eyeball,” he said. “What the f? Why you booing? What am I supposed to do about it? I didn’t do the fing poke. I can’t see.”He added, “This is bulls. The fight was just getting going. I’m ped off. I can hardly open my eye. Look! Fing double poke, both eyeballs.”Right after the interview, Aspinall was taken to the hospital.

Ciryl Gane apologizes to fans and calls it ‘unlucky’ accident

Ciryl Gane looked emotional after the fight. He said on the mic, “I am very sorry for that.

For the crowd, for the fans, for everybody. Sorry for Tom Aspinall, sorry for myself.” The French fighter said it was never his intention and that it was a complete accident.Also Read: Mackenzie Dern Net Worth In 2025: UFC Earnings, Career, Lifestyle, Endorsements And MoreThis was Tom Aspinall’s first fight in almost 15 months and his first time as the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after Jon Jones retired. Tom Aspinall had trained hard in camp, with strict days planned, Monday grappling, Tuesday MMA sparring, Wednesday pads and technique, Thursday sparring again, Friday fitness, Saturday sprints.The UFC has not yet confirmed if this fight will be rebooked or if Tom Aspinall will face Jon Jones next. Updates are expected soon.