UFC president Dana White discovered himself on the heart of intense criticism from MMA followers and media members following controversial feedback he made about Tom Aspinall after the heavyweight champion was unable to proceed at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on October 25, 2025.
UFC 321
The main event between Aspinall and challenger Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest at 4:35 of the primary spherical after Gane by chance poked Aspinall in each eyes. The incident occurred with roughly 30 seconds remaining in what had been a aggressive opening spherical, throughout which Gane had bloodied Aspinall’s nostril and gave the impression to be performing higher than many anticipated.
After being given the standard five-minute recovery period, Aspinall repeatedly told the ringside physician that he could not see, with one of Gane’s fingers reportedly penetrating so deeply into his eye that its middle knuckle was the first visible component. Referee Jason Herzog ultimately ruled the fight a no-contest, and Aspinall was transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Dana White Blames Tom Aspinall
During the post-fight press conference, White made feedback that instantly sparked controversy throughout social media platforms. When discussing a possible rematch, the UFC president acknowledged that there would possible be extra curiosity after followers noticed “he had Tom bloodied up and Tom didn’t wish to proceed within the struggle.” White later added that he can not pressure fighters to compete in the event that they really feel injured, saying “Solely Tom is aware of what occurred. Might he see, couldn’t he see, may he proceed? Solely he is aware of that.”
Backlash
The feedback drew swift and fierce criticism from MMA journalists and followers. Media member AFeldmanMMA wrote on social media: “Think about your personal promoter saying you, Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champion of the world, ‘didn’t wish to proceed within the struggle’ as an alternative of admitting you actually couldn’t proceed as a result of your eyes have been mangled by a double eye poke. Insane ‘promotional’ method. For those who’re a fighter, subsequent time you and your supervisor sit down to barter, simply bear in mind how little most promoters really care about your well-being.”
Reddit communities devoted to MMA erupted with criticism of White’s characterization of occasions. On the r/MMA subreddit, customers expressed frustration that Aspinall obtained extra criticism than Gane for committing the foul. One commenter famous that White had been upset with Aspinall for beforehand stating he would vacate his title slightly than struggle his pal and coaching associate Ante Delija, suggesting the UFC president was prepared to throw the champion below the bus.
Another fan commented: “The disrespect is loopy,” whereas others pointed to White’s sample of exhibiting disrespect towards sure champions.
Within the quick aftermath contained in the octagon, a pissed off Aspinall had responded to crowd boos by stating: “Guys, I simply obtained poked knuckle deep within the eyeball. What the f***? Why are you booing? What am I presupposed to do about it? I didn’t do the f*ing poke. I can’t see. That is bull*s. The struggle was simply getting going. Full bulls***. I’m ped off. I can hardly open my eye. Look. Have a look at this. Fing double poke. Each eyeballs.”
UFC Corridor of Famer Daniel Cormier later revealed that he noticed Aspinall backstage greater than 20 minutes after the struggle ended, noting that the British fighter’s proper eye was nonetheless coated in a bandage and he couldn’t open it. Cormier added that the left eye, which appeared to have been penetrated extra deeply, was additionally severely affected.
Critics noted that eye pokes happen roughly as soon as each 14 fights, but enforcement stays inconsistent, with computerized level deductions not often carried out. Just one fighter has been deducted a degree for an eye fixed poke within the UFC because the starting of 2024.
White confirmed {that a} rematch between Aspinall and Gane can be scheduled as quickly because the champion receives medical clearance, calling it “a complete ache within the a**, however sure”. The UFC president famous that each fighters have been in preventing form apart from Aspinall’s eye damage and acknowledged the rematch “is what is smart.”
