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Tom Aspinall’s potential suspension could ruin the UFC’s plans for immediate Ciryl Gane rematch

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Jamie Theodosi | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 2:05 PM ET

Although the UFC fanbase is hopeful of seeing a rematch between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane as soon as December, it may be out of the promotion’s control.

The UFC 321 main event between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended in disaster on Saturday night after the fight was ruled a no contest after just four minutes following a brutal eye poke to the champion.

The British champion had been out of action for 15 months whilst waiting for the potential return of Jon Jones, making the outcome even more disappointing.

And after such a disastrous end to the main event, UFC boss Dana White revealed that the promotion will look to re-book the heavyweight title fight for as soon as possible.

Aspinall could face long medical suspension which could ruin the UFC’s plans

After stating that he will look to re-book the fight, White was asked whether the fight could headline the first numbered event of the UFC’s new partnership with Paramount, which will be in January.

Initially, the boss was open to the idea, claiming that it’s a possibility. Since then, fans online have been calling for the fight to be added to the final PPV event of the year, UFC 323.

However, the promotion will only be able to begin planning the rematch once they know the severity of Aspinall’s injury.

And even though he was cleared of any serious injuries by an Ophthalmologist in Abu Dhabi, he requires further examination upon his return to the UK.

That means, depending on the possible outcome of the tests, Aspinall could face a medical suspension, which could exceed the beginning of 2026.

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Previous eye poke stoppages led to indefinite medical suspensions

In 2019 after being poked in the eye by Yair Rodriguez in their UFC Mexico City main event, Jeremy Stephens was slapped with a huge 180 day medical suspension.

After suffering a similar injury to the heavyweight champion, ‘Lil Heathen’ was told that he would have to wait 180 days before he could return to the Octagon, unless he was able to get clearance from an Ophthalmologist for a corneal abrasion.

Fortunately for Stephens, he was cleared of a corneal abrasion not long after and the promotion re-booked the fight between him and Rodriguez just under a month later.

Similarly, earlier this year, Henry Cejudo was handed an indefinite medical suspension following his UFC Seattle fight against Song Yadong, and was only able to fight once he was cleared by an Ophthalmologist.

Another example of an indefinite medical suspension, was when Alan Patrick was faced with a 180 day suspension after being poked in the eye by Mason Jones at UFC Fight Night 189 in 2021.

With the extent of Aspinall’s injury currently unknown, the UFC will have to hold off on any plans they have of an immediate rematch.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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