Tom Aspinall Defends UFC 321 Eye Poke Withdrawal Amidst Controversy

The UFC 321 heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended controversially after Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in the eye, causing Aspinall to stop fighting and resulting in a no contest. Opinions on Aspinall's decision to quit the fight are divided; some, including UFC veteran Michael Bisping and T.J. Dillashaw, believe Aspinall might have continued despite the injury, while others like Daniel Cormier praise Aspinall for making the smart choice to protect his health and career. Dana White confirmed plans to book a rematch, although Aspinall's earlier comments about not wanting to fight his teammate Ante Delija have caused some friction with UFC management. Aspinall's teammate Delija supports his stance on not wanting to fight friends despite Dana White's disagreement. The incident highlights the tension between fighting honorably and making smart decisions for longevity, with the rematch anticipated to settle the controversy surrounding the fight's abrupt end.