Tom Aspinall faced a disappointing outcome in his first heavyweight title defense as his bout with Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest. The anticipated clash between the two fighters took place in Abu Dhabi, where Gane unexpectedly took the lead despite Aspinall being the favored contender.

Gane’s precise jabs posed challenges for Aspinall, who found himself in trouble when accidentally poked in both eyes by Gane. The referee, Jason Herzog, called off the fight, declaring it a no contest, much to the disappointment of the audience. Aspinall’s UFC return ended in controversy following the eye poke incident.

After claiming the interim heavyweight title and successfully defending it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024, Aspinall faced setbacks in his planned bout against Jon Jones. Despite being promoted to undisputed champion, Aspinall encountered a tough challenge in his first title defense against Gane. The fight was marred by the eye poke incident, leading to the no contest decision.

In another match, a new women’s strawweight champion was crowned after a competitive fight. The judges scored the contest unanimously in favor of the deserving winner. Both fighters displayed tremendous resilience and determination throughout the match, showcasing their skills in the octagon.

The UFC event featured a series of intense fights, with fighters giving their all to secure victories. From unexpected knockouts to strategic takedowns, the matches kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The main card delivered thrilling action, setting the stage for future matchups in the competition.