Tom Aspinall Faces Criticism Following UFC 321 No Contest

Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed title defense at UFC 321 concluded controversially as the fight against Ciryl Gane was ruled a no contest. The bout, which took place on March 9, 2024, ended prematurely when Gane inadvertently delivered a double eye poke, rendering Aspinall unable to continue. Although Aspinall retained his title, the incident left fans and analysts questioning the effectiveness of his fight week preparations.

The build-up to UFC 321 was marked by several missteps for Aspinall, drawing criticism from fans and fellow fighters alike. Notably, a private conversation with former champion Daniel Cormier, which was shared on Cormier’s YouTube channel, did not sit well with the latter. Cormier expressed his frustration during a post-fight discussion, stating he was “upset” about the release of their private dialogue.

Aspinall’s father also stirred controversy during fight week, suggesting in an interview that his son should consider switching to boxing after his UFC contract expires. This comment raised eyebrows, particularly in light of the upcoming fight. Michael Bisping, a former UFC middleweight champion, weighed in on these matters during a recent podcast, stating that these issues could potentially jeopardize Aspinall’s future in the organization.

Critical Observations from Michael Bisping

Bisping pointed out that Aspinall had missed several media obligations, which did not help his public image leading up to the fight. He said, “I know he dipped on a few interviews, so people were grumbling about that.” The former champion emphasized that the incident with Cormier was particularly damaging, noting that “he didn’t need to release that, so he kind of dropped the ball a little bit there.”

Bisping also criticized Aspinall’s father’s comments about boxing, remarking, “You don’t negotiate like that in public. You speak to them man to man.” He cautioned that if Aspinall had lost the fight, it would have been challenging for him to secure another title shot in the future.

Fans are left speculating about the potential implications of these criticisms. Many believe that UFC president Dana White may have been disappointed with Aspinall’s inability to continue in the fight, as indicated by his remarks during the post-fight press conference.

Future Implications for Aspinall

The fallout from UFC 321 could signal a shift in how the organization treats Aspinall moving forward. With the prospect of an immediate rematch with Gane on the horizon, the pressure is mounting for the 32-year-old fighter to reassess his approach to both training and public relations.

As the dust settles on this controversial fight week, the mixed martial arts community will be closely watching how Aspinall navigates the challenges ahead. With his title still intact, the focus will now shift to his next steps as he aims to solidify his position within the UFC and address the concerns raised by fans and analysts alike.