Francis Ngannou Defends Tom Aspinall‘s Decision to Stop UFC 321 Fight After Eye Pokes
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has voiced his support for Tom Aspinall’s choice to withdraw from his title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 following repeated eye pokes. The incident, which resulted in a no-contest, sparked debate within the MMA community, with some questioning Aspinall’s decision to stop the fight.
Ngannou, now competing in PFL and boxing, understands the severity of the situation. He believes the focus should be on the compromised vision Aspinall experienced, rather than fan disappointment over a halted championship bout.
The Incident at UFC 321
In October’s main event, Aspinall was defending the undisputed heavyweight title for the first time. Gane inadvertently poked Aspinall in the eyes twice during the first round.
The second poke considerably impacted both of Aspinall’s eyes. Despite a five-minute recovery period, the British fighter was unable to continue, leading to the fight being declared a no-contest. Aspinall subsequently went to the hospital for evaluation.
Why Eye Pokes Are Different
Ngannou emphasized a crucial distinction between an eye poke and other fight injuries. “The eye poke is not like you get kicked in the balls and you can recover and come back,” he explained in an interview with TMZ. “It’s not like a pain; it compromises your vision.”
He further elaborated that competing with impaired vision is inherently dangerous. You risk further injury, and ultimately, a potential loss.
the Double Standard
Ngannou pointed out the potential for criticism regardless of Aspinall’s choice.”What if your vision is compromised,then you keep going and – maybe because of that – something happens?” he questioned. “You lose the fight, the same people will say how stupid you were, ’You should’ve stopped, blah blah blah.'”
This highlights the frustrating position fighters find themselves in, facing scrutiny no matter their decision when dealing with a debilitating injury.
Acknowledging Fan Frustration
While defending Aspinall, Ngannou acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans. He understands the excitement surrounding the fight and the desire to see a definitive outcome.
However, he insists the eye poke, even if unintentional, deserves respect. It caused genuine damage and significantly affected Aspinall’s ability to compete safely.
Looking Ahead
UFC President Dana White has already stated a rematch between Aspinall and Gane will be scheduled promptly. However, aspinall’s father recently revealed his son is still experiencing vision problems in his right eye.
This raises questions about the timeline for a potential rematch and aspinall’s full recovery. Meanwhile, fighters like Jon Jones have offered critical opinions on the incident, suggesting Gane was dominating the fight prior to the stoppage.
Further reading on the UFC 321 Fallout:
* Inside Tom Aspinall’s unique heavyweight strategy
Ngannou’s own experiance as a heavyweight champion provides valuable perspective on the pressures and risks faced by fighters. His defense of Aspinall underscores the importance of prioritizing fighter safety and recognizing the unique challenges posed by eye pokes in combat sports. He last competed in October 2024, finishing Ren
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