"The UFC doesn't have a new heavyweight champion after UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, but it doesn't have a champion with a successful title defense, either. Instead, it really got a worst-case scenario: a no contest because of an accidental eye poke. It's almost certain the UFC will have champion Tom Aspinall run it back with Ciryl Gane, especially since the two competitors fought to such an even first round before the foul. The only question is when."
"What should be next: UFC 323 on Dec. 6 in Las Vegas BOOK IT RIGHT NOW. If Aspinall did not suffer permanent or long-term damage to his eyes, get this thing on the books immediately. The UFC's final pay-per-view of 2025 is on Dec. 6. Book it for that card. If not, book it for the first event of 2026. Just book it."
"Brett 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."
UFC 321 ended without a definitive heavyweight title result when an accidental eye poke produced a no contest between champion Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. A prompt rematch is recommended given the even first-round action and lack of a successful title defense for Aspinall. The preferred date is UFC 323 on Dec. 6 in Las Vegas, with an alternative being the first event of 2026 if any long-term eye damage exists. Other main-card trajectories include Tatiana Suarez as a next opponent in her division and Mackenzie Dern's long, 16-UFC-fight path to becoming a champion.
Read at ESPN.com
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