UFC 321: Tom Aspinall v Ciryl Gane declared a no-contest after accidental eye poke

Anti-climax in Abu Dhabi as main event is called off after incident in first round

Ciryl Gane (black shorts) pokes Tom Aspinall in the eyes leading to a no contest at UFC 321 at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. All pictures by Chris Whiteoak / The National

Tom Aspinall's fight with Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title was a no contest after an eye poke.

Tom Aspinall suffered eye damage leading to a no contest.

Tom Aspinall, left, and Ciryl Gane trade blows before the incident that led to a no contest.

Mackenzie Dern, left, lands a straight left on Virna Jandiroba in the co-main event.

Mackenzie Dern celebrates victory over Virna Jandiroba.

Mackenzie Dern becomes champion at Etihad Arena.

Umar Nurmagomedov (black shorts) beat Mario Bautista (blue shorts) by decision in a bantamweight bout at UFC 321.

Umar Nurmagomedov (black shorts) beat Mario Bautista (blue shorts) by decision.

Khabib Nurmagomedov gives instructions to cousin Umar Nurmagomedov.

Alexander Volkov (red shorts) beat Jailton Almeida (yellow shorts) by decision in a heavyweight bout at UFC 321.

Alexander Volkov has his hand raised.

Azamat Murzakanov (black shorts) beat Aleksandar Rakic (white shorts) by TKO.

Quillan Salkilld knocked out Nasrat Haqparast with a first-round head kick in their lightweight bout.

Ikram Aliskerov celebrates with his coach and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Valter Walker (yellow shorts) beats Louie Sutherland by heal hook in their heavyweight bout.

Nathaniel Wood (red shorts) was involved in an entertaining bout against Jose Miguel Delgado. Englishman Wood took the bout via split decision.

Chris Barnett was given time out and Hamdy Abdelwahab had a point taken off for repeated shots to the back of the head. Egyptian Abdelwahab would go on to take victory by unanimous decision,

Hamdy Abdelwahab (black shorts) takes a punch from Chris Barnett (yellow shorts) in their heavyweight fight.

Mitch Raposo (black shorts) gets taken to the mat by Azat Maksum (blue shorts). The American would win the catchweight bout by decision.

Tom Aspinall remains the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion after his first title defence was deemed a no-contest after suffering an accidental poke to the eye by Ciryl Gane.

The challenger was having far the better of the opening exchanges, bloodying the champion's nose with a series of jabs before accidentally poking Aspinall in the eye during a coming together.

After being examined by doctors, it was determined that Aspinall would be unable to continue, with referee Jason Herzog calling off the fight with just under 30 seconds remaining of the opening round.

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In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern realised her dream of becoming a UFC champion in Abu Dhabi.

Unlike the all-too-short main event, Dern and Virna Jandiroba went the full five rounds, with the 32-year-old Dern edging a cagey affair on the judges' scorecards.

The two Brazilians were happy to trade punches and kicks throughout. The contest appeared pretty even, with Jandiroba likely to be aggrieved that her superior takedown numbers didn't count for more with the judges.

A tearful Dern was joined in the octagon for the post-fight interview by her daughter Moa.

Mackenzie Dern sinks to her knees after being crowned UFC strawweight champion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Umar Nurmagomedov put himself firmly in line for another shot at UFC bantamweight glory after completely dominating Mario Bautista.

The Russian was expected to dominate in a striking exchange with the American, but it was his superior wrestling that saw him to a unanimous decision.

Alexander Volkov will likely have to wait for his shot at heavyweight gold. The Russian overcame Brazilian Jailton Almeida in their heavyweight bout, with the winner next in line to face the winner of Aspinall v Gane.

Though he spent the majority of the fight on his back, Volkov was able to inflict far more damage with his striking than Almeida was with his wrestling.

One of the most popular winners on the night was Azamat Murzakanov. He made short work of extending his perfect record to 16 wins, and it helped that Aleksandar Rakic walked straight on to a short right hand by the Russian.