Beyond Aspinall vs. Gane! Relive UFC fights that ended inconclusively due to eye poking

The incident highlights a recurring issue in the UFC, where illegal striking often ends fights in controversial fashion.

Rodrigo Tannuri

27/10/2025 | 15:45

Aspinall with an eye injury after a UFC fight. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

Last Saturday (25), in Abu Dhabi (UAE), the long-awaited fight between Tom aspinall, UFC heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg), and Cyryl Gane ended controversially and disappointingly. After receiving a finger from the Frenchman that hit both of his eyes, the Englishman was unable to continue in the duel, and thus it ended in a 'no contest' (no result). Incidentally, the athlete wasn't the only one to suffer from the illegal blow.

Ao longo dos anos, alguns confrontos do UFC também terminaram sem resultado por conta de dedadas acidentais no olho. Sendo assim, a equipe do SUPER LUTAS decidiu relembrar casos marcantes, após o ocorrido no principal combate do UFC 321, entre Aspinall e Gane.

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Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad

It was in 2021 that Leon edwards e Belal Muhammad | became enemies. All because the athletes, who were seeking victory to earn the right to fight for the welterweight belt (up to 77,1 kg), saw the fight end in a no-contest. Early in the second round, the Englishman, after impressing in the first round, accidentally landed a finger that went deep into the American's eye.

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The poke was so severe that Belal's eye closed and began to bleed. Inconvenienced, the athlete fell to the ground and screamed in pain. The referee ruled the fight a no-contest. Interestingly, the rivals faced off again in 2024, and the American had the last laugh. In England, Edwards' hometown, Muhammad dominated him, becoming the UFC welterweight champion.

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Yair Rodriguez x Jeremy Stephens

In 2019, the duel between Yair Rodriguez e Jeremy Stephens He was promising in the featherweight division (up to 65,8 kg), but ended up in the worst possible way, practically without a fight. Excited to be competing at home, the Mexican went on the attack, but after an incredible 15 seconds, he accidentally poked his rival in the eye. It's true that the attack didn't seem that serious, and Stephens even tried to return to the fight, but after five minutes to check on his condition, he couldn't fully open his eye.

With the American blind, the referee announced the fight as a no contest, sparking outrage among the crowd at the Mexico City Arena. With the main event's fight ending quickly and frustratingly, fans threw beer bottles and popcorn into the octagon. In the rematch, held later that year, Rodriguez defeated his rival by unanimous decision.

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Sean O'Malley vs. Pedro Munhoz

Peter Munhoz was another victim of the infamous eye poke. In 2022, the Brazilian faced Sean O'Malley in the bantamweight division (up to 61,2 kg) and was unable to return to the bout due to impaired vision. In the first round, the American gained the upper hand and, in the second, continued his attack. At one point, 'Sugar' hit the veteran in the face, which he felt.

Immediately, O'Malley, thinking he'd knocked out his opponent, celebrated the victory. However, the referee checked what actually happened and, upon observing Pedro's condition, declared the fight a no-contest. After the incident, the American stated that he won the fight and that the veteran had valued his finger because he was at a disadvantage. With his right eye severely damaged, the Brazilian was taken to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had corneal damage. In fact, the athlete was blind for 20 minutes.

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Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado

After impressing on the national circuit, Wagner Prado's UFC debut in 2012, against the experienced Phil Davis ended badly. In just one minute and 28 seconds, the Brazilian received an accidental poke in the eye and immediately acknowledged the illegal blow. Concerned about the damage, the athlete screamed in pain and almost cried.

Seeing the fighter distressed and unable to compete, the referee, after a doctor's evaluation, ended the light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) bout without a winner. In the rematch, held the same year and without controversy, the American submitted 'Caldeirão' in the second round.

Caldeirão was poked in the eye during his UFC debut. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

In addition to the aforementioned fights, there are others that have become MMA classics due to grotesque eye pokes. However, for the most part, these duels didn't end inconclusively, but rather in victory for a professional.

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