Brett OkamotoOct 28, 2025, 08:55 PM ETCloseBrett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: “Chuck and Tito,” which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.Follow on X
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall still is dealing with the effects of the eye poke he suffered in last weekend’s title bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.
Aspinall (15-3) was hospitalized Saturday after Gane (13-2) accidentally poked both of his eyes during an exchange in the first round. Aspinall was unable to continue, and the bout was ruled the first no-contest in UFC title fight history.
On Tuesday, Aspinall’s father and head coach, Andy, provided a concerning update on the 32-year-old’s condition.
Andy told ESPN on Sunday that his son avoided “bone damage” to the area, but the team is in the process of undergoing further tests this week. Aspinall has not released an official statement since the no-contest but was visibly distraught in the Octagon afterward.
The UFC intends to rebook the matchup between Aspinall and Gane, according to CEO Dana White. A potential date for that rebooking will have to wait, however, as Aspinall and his team account for the long-term impact of the foul.
CloseBrett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: “Chuck and Tito,” which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.Follow on X
“Hopefully, it will be all right,” the elder Aspinall said. “But it might not be.”
Tom Aspinall doesn’t hide his disdain after eye poke ends main event (0:27)Tom Aspinall is not happy about hearing boos from the crowd after Ciryl Gane pokes him in the eye for a no contest in the heavyweight title fight. (0:27)