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UFC 321: Daniel Cormier Reveals Real Details About Tom Aspinall’s Injured Eyes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Oct 25, 2025 9:58 PM ET

Highlights

UFC 321 main event ended in painful fashion for Tom Aspinall
Daniel Cormier reveals what he saw backstage after the fight
The eye injury appears more serious than fans initially realized

A Painful End to UFC 321

The UFC 321 main event ended not with celebration, but with disappointment and pain. What was expected to be a heavyweight showcase turned into a shocking scene as Tom Aspinall suffered eye pokes in both eyes — a rare and brutal outcome that halted the action before fans could see a clear finish. The abrupt ending left the Etihad Arena stunned, and social media quickly filled with debates over whether Aspinall should have continued.

Daniel Cormier Shares What He Saw Backstage

While opinions flew online, one of the few people with firsthand insight into what really happened backstage was Daniel Cormier. The former champion turned commentator shared what he saw after the bout, and his description sheds light on just how severe the damage may have been.

In a clip shared by Home of Fight, Cormier said, ‘I saw Tom Aspinall backstage and he still had bandages over his left eye. What’s crazy is his left eye was the one which went knuckle deep. The right side was scraped down more. [The left eye] would’ve been hard to deal with if not the pain he felt on the left side.’

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The Reality of Aspinall’s Injury

Cormier’s account suggests the situation was far more serious than it appeared in real time. Fans watching from home saw the visible discomfort, but few realized the extent of the damage both eyes endured. If his words are any indication, Aspinall wasn’t just dealing with irritation — he was managing an injury deep enough to warrant medical concern.

Daniel Cormier says he saw Tom Aspinall backstage and says he still had bandages over his left eye

"What’s crazy his left eye was the one which went knuckle deep. The right side was scraped down more.

[The left eye] would’ve had hard to deal with if not the pain he felt on… pic.twitter.com/xZEIHlZS5n
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 25, 2025

What’s Next for the Heavyweight Champion?

As questions continue about what’s next for the heavyweight champion, one thing is clear: UFC 321 didn’t end the way anyone hoped. And based on Cormier’s backstage reveal, the pain and frustration that followed extended far beyond the Octagon.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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