White sees rerun as only option for champion Aspinall

UFC president Dana White wants heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to have an immediate rematch with Ciryl Gane after their clash in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night ended in a no contest.

- BY GARY HITCHCOCK

The Salford superstar returned to the octagon for the first time in 454 days at UFC 321, having failed to tempt Jon Jones into a big-money unification clash and being upgraded to undisputed champion after the American opted to retire instead.

However, a showcase main event return to the cage for Aspinall was ended at the end of the first round at the Etihad Arena when Gane accidentally poked the champion in both eyes.

Aspinall was given five minutes to recover by the referee but could still not open his right eye and the contest was called off, much to the displeasure of the crowd.