Ciryl Gane ‘wasn’t affected’ by Tom Aspinall pity party, suggests UFC fans are sick of ‘exaggerated’ eye drama

TL;DR

Ciryl Gane claims Tom Aspinall's complaints about an eye poke were exaggerated and suggests UFC fans are tired of such drama. Gane criticized Aspinall's communication strategy after their UFC 321 bout in Abu Dhabi.

Key points

Tom Aspinall complained about Ciryl Gane's fingernails.
Aspinall was unable to continue after an eye poke during UFC 321.
Gane criticized Aspinall's communication strategy as catastrophic.

Mentioned in this story

Abu Dhabi

Ciryl GaneTom AspinallUFC 321

Britain's Tom Aspinall leaves the ring after being hit in the eye while fighting France's Ciryl Gane during their UFC heavyweight title bout at UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi early on October 26, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

Tom Aspinall spent the last six months complaining about the “disgusting” fingernails of heavyweight rival Ciryl Gane, following a debilitating (some might say intentional) eye poke that rendered the heavyweight champion unable to continue during their UFC 321 headliner last fall in Abu Dhabi.

Exaggerate much?

“His communication strategy was really bad,” Gane told RMC Sports Combat. “Today, he’s signed with an agency that I hope helps him with his communication because it was catastrophic. Sometimes it’s better not to say anything. These things happen. You don’t need to overdo it, exaggerate it. The guy was like, ‘Ahh, ahh,’ acting like he can’t drive anymore.”

Aspinall blamed Gane’s eye poke for .

Q&A

What happened during the UFC 321 fight between Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall?

During UFC 321, Tom Aspinall suffered an eye poke from Ciryl Gane, which led to him being unable to continue the fight.

Why does Ciryl Gane believe Tom Aspinall exaggerated his injury?

Gane stated that Aspinall's communication about the injury was poor and that he overdramatized the situation, making it seem worse than it was.

What did UFC fans think about Tom Aspinall's reaction to the eye poke?

Gane suggested that UFC fans are growing tired of exaggerated reactions to injuries, indicating a general frustration with such drama in the sport.