WATCH: Tom Aspinall fires shot at UFC 321 crowd: “What the f*** are you booing”

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall did not hold back his frustration after an unexpected turn during the main event at UFC 321, taking aim at the crowd for their reaction to the fight’s abrupt ending.

Eye poke halts main event at UFC 321

The clash between Aspinall and Ciryl Gane was highly anticipated, with fans expecting fireworks in the heavyweight championship bout. The first round saw both fighters exchanging heavy strikes, with Gane landing an effective jab and Aspinall countering with punishing leg kicks and clean punches.

However, the contest came to an abrupt halt after an accidental eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to continue. Despite medical intervention and time to recover, the champion’s vision remained compromised. The bout was declared a no contest at 4:35 of Round 1.

Tom Aspinall responds to crowd reaction

While most expected sympathy for Aspinall, the champion faced a different reaction inside the arena: boos from the crowd. Frustrated, Aspinall directly addressed the spectators, expressing his anger over their reaction.

“Guys, I just got poked knuckle deep in the eyeball. What the f*** are you booing? I didn’t do the poke… This is bullshit, the fight was just getting going, complete bullshit. I’m pissed off,” Tom Aspinall said in the post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier.

The remarks highlighted the emotional toll of the no contest result. While the fighter acknowledged the situation was unintentional, he felt unfairly judged by the fans who expected him to continue despite his compromised vision.

Emotional fallout

Ciryl Gane also expressed regret over the incident, stating, “I feel sorry at first, I’m very sorry for the fans. I’m sorry for Tom Aspinall. I’m sorry for myself.”

But the focus remained on Aspinall, whose frustration with the boos underscored the intensity of UFC fans and the pressure fighters face under the spotlight.

The incident has sparked discussions online, with many defending Aspinall’s decision to prioritize his safety over continuing a fight with impaired vision.

What’s next for Aspinall

While the no contest leaves the heavyweight division in suspense, Tom Aspinall’s direct confrontation with the crowd has cemented his reputation as a fighter unafraid to speak his mind. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see how he rebounds in his next fight and how the UFC addresses the controversial ending.