Ciryl Gane accepts responsibility for eye poke against Tom Aspinall
4 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 9:41 AM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
Ciryl Gane took responsibility for unintentionally poking Tom Aspinall in both eyes during their heavyweight title fight at UFC 320 last October. The incident led to the match being declared a no contest after Aspinall could not continue despite receiving recovery time. Gane explained he mistimed a kick, resulting in the eye poke as he instinctively pushed back against Aspinall. Following the incident, Gane is set to fight Alex Pereira for an interim heavyweight title on June 14, aiming to unify the belt against Aspinall afterwards.
- •Gane's eye poke resulted in a no contest at UFC 320.
- •Aspinall was unable to continue despite recovery time.
- •Gane will fight Alex Pereira for an interim title on June 14.
- •Gane plans to unify the title against Aspinall after facing Pereira.
- •Gane described the poke as an unintentional mistake.
- 9:41 AMYahoo Sports — Aspinall 'cheater' claim his opinion, says Gane
- 9:41 AMBBC Sport — Aspinall 'cheater' claim his opinion, says Gane
- 10:01 PMYahoo Sports — Ciryl Gane responds to Tom Aspinall's cheating accusations
- 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — Ciryl Gane responds to Tom Aspinall calling him a cheater after eye poke controversy: ‘This is his opinion’
- 6:09 PMYahoo Sports — Ciryl Gane opens up on eye poke against Tom Aspinall
"Ciryl Gane responds to Tom Aspinall calling him a cheater, alleging that his eye poke foul in their UFC title fight was intentional.
"Cyril Gane responds to being called "a big cheater" by Tom Aspinall, saying it is the UFC heavyweight champion's opinion.
"Ciryl Gane responds to being called "a big cheater" by Tom Aspinall, saying it is the UFC heavyweight champion's opinion.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 11, 2026, 9:41 AMAspinall 'cheater' claim his opinion, says Gane
Cyril Gane responds to being called "a big cheater" by Tom Aspinall, saying it is the UFC heavyweight champion's opinion.
- BBC SportJun 11, 2026, 9:41 AMAspinall 'cheater' claim his opinion, says Gane
Ciryl Gane responds to being called "a big cheater" by Tom Aspinall, saying it is the UFC heavyweight champion's opinion.
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 10:01 PMCiryl Gane responds to Tom Aspinall's cheating accusations
Ciryl Gane responds to Tom Aspinall calling him a cheater, alleging that his eye poke foul in their UFC title fight was intentional.
- Yahoo SportsJun 10, 2026, 6:00 PMCiryl Gane responds to Tom Aspinall calling him a cheater after eye poke controversy: ‘This is his opinion’
Ciryl Gane fights for an interim title against Alex Pereira with Tom Aspinall still sidedlined due to injury
- Yahoo SportsJun 8, 2026, 6:09 PMCiryl Gane opens up on eye poke against Tom Aspinall
Ciryl Gane takes responsibility for poking Tom Aspinall in the eyes.
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