Highly anticipated UFC heavyweight clash prompts immediate rematch

In one of the most anticipated combat sports matchups of the year, UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall clashed with Frenchman Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 this past Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi — but only for four minutes and 35 seconds.

- By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

After winning all but 25 seconds of the first round in the maximum five-round bout, Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes, and after the allotted five-minute period given to recuperate from the foul, Aspinall could not continue, resulting in a no-contest.

"Everybody knows... he starts very hard to surprise his opponent," Gane said. "Defending the takedown, I touched him. We saw some blood on his nose, and it was a really great first round."