Dana White sparked controversy with his reaction to the UFC 321 no-contest. The UFC president showed little sympathy for Tom Aspinall after the heavyweight champion suffered serious eye damage in Abu Dhabi. Ciryl Gane poked Aspinall in both eyes during the fight, which caused severe injuries and stopped the bout. The fouls delayed Aspinall’s return and affected his daily life. Aspinall later underwent double eye surgery, yet some MMA trolls accused him of faking the injury.
Brendan Schaub believes White played a role in fueling that narrative. The former UFC fighter argued that White’s comments encouraged fans to doubt Aspinall’s integrity and toughness.
Brendan Schaub Accuses Dana White of Encouraging Trolls
White said Aspinall “didn’t want to continue” during his post-fight press conference. Many fans interpreted that comment as a suggestion that Aspinall quit the fight. Some fighters, including TJ Dillashaw, echoed that sentiment in public discussions.
Schaub strongly rejected that idea and defended Aspinall. He said Aspinall clearly suffered real damage and deserved support, not skepticism. Schaub attacked the trolls in a video on his X account and questioned their intelligence. He described Aspinall as a lifelong martial artist and a dedicated professional who would never fake an injury. Schaub argued that Aspinall had no reason to avoid fighting Gane and saw the matchup as favorable.
Schaub also criticized White’s communication style. He said White often speaks impulsively and without filters. Schaub explained that White’s words carry enormous influence in the MMA community. He warned that White’s remarks energized trolls and intensified online hostility toward Aspinall.
Tom Aspinall Criticizes the Business Side of MMA
Aspinall developed a darker view of the sport after the incident. He spoke openly about his frustration during a video documenting his eye surgery with Petesy Carroll. Aspinall said he still loves martial arts and will never stop loving the sport itself. He explained that he despises the business side of MMA and how it treats fighters.
Aspinall said the industry makes fighters feel replaceable at any moment. He argued that even serious illegal fouls receive little concern from promoters and fans. He said the lack of empathy shocked him and changed how he sees the sport’s structure and priorities.
