Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
History of a different kind unfolded at UFC 321 as the highly anticipated heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on Saturday night.
Aspinall, the English champion who took over the belt after Jon Jones’ retirement, entered as the favourite but came under early pressure from France’s Gane. The round was only four minutes and 30 seconds old when Gane’s kick and follow-through swipe caught Aspinall in both eyes, forcing an immediate medical stoppage.
The Briton, already bleeding from the nose and unable to see clearly, was rushed to hospital and a word was awaited at the time of filing this at 4am UAE time. “I’m sad, I really thought I had this,” said a dejected Gane. “I apologised to Tom – it was an accident.”
UFC President Dana White called the outcome “unfortunate,” saying the rematch would be arranged soon. “Only Tom knows how bad it is. If he can’t fight, he can’t fight. But we’ll definitely run this back.”
In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern claimed the strawweight crown with a unanimous decision win over compatriot Virna Jandiroba, repeating her earlier victory over the Brazilian. “We’re both grapplers, but I wanted to prove my striking too,” said Dern, who shared a touching moment in the Octagon as her daughter Moa joined her for the belt presentation.
It was a special night for Dern, who won her first world title in Abu Dhabi at the 2015 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. “Abu Dhabi is my lucky charm,” she smiled. “I’d fight here every time if I could.”
“I knew that we are both grapplers and the fight could be more on the floor. But I wanted my striking also to show effect. I worked hard on all aspects of my game, even striking, so I feel amazing,” said Dern, who is working her way up after motherhood and divorce.
Her six-year-old daughter Moa was in the ring as soon as Dern was announced the winner in a beautiful family moment with Dern’s parents where the fighter let Moa wear the belt.
“It feels different to be the one who will be challenged now. They say winning the belt is hard, but working to make sure to retain it is harder.”
The fifth-ranked fighter Dern took a second world title in Abu Dhabi, having won her first title ever as a black belt in winning the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Professional Championship.
“Abu Dhabi is definitely my lucky charm. Even my daughter likes this place. I wish I could have all my fights here,” she said.
Earlier, Australia’s Quillan Salkilld produced the knockout of the night, landing a flying kick that left Afghanistan’s Nasrat Haqparast unconscious just two and a half minutes into their lightweight bout. Stepping in on 11 days’ notice, Salkilld earned the Fight of the Night bonus.
“It was gangster stuff,” he said with a grin. “I’d love a main-card slot next; even better of it is Australia in March, maybe, from what I hear – and maybe try some sheesha before I leave Abu Dhabi.”
