Morning Report | Joe Rogan defends Tom Aspinall from critics of UFC 321 no-contest: ‘He got really f*cked over’

Joe Rogan has reiterated his support for Tom Aspinall following the British heavyweight's controversial no-contest finish at UFC 321 last October, pushing back against critics who questioned the champion's decision to stop the bout.

Aspinall's first title defense ended in the opening round when challenger Ciryl Gane accidentally poked him in the eyes, causing damage severe enough to render him unable to continue. The bout was ruled a no-contest, but Aspinall faced considerable backlash from some fans and observers who either questioned whether he was truly unable to fight through the injury or suggested he quit because he was losing the opening stanza. Since the incident, Aspinall has undergone two eye surgeries to repair the damage and remains sidelined pending medical clearance.

On his podcast, Rogan expressed frustration with the criticism, noting that Aspinall received "a bad deal" and was "really f*cked over." He emphasized the severity of the foul, describing Gane's knuckle penetration into Aspinall's eye socket as disqualifying in any reasonable assessment. Rogan's guest Rico Verhoeven, a friend and training partner of Aspinall's, also defended the champion's character and professionalism, dismissing the notion that Aspinall would intentionally quit due to early-round adversity.

Rogan was direct in criticizing what he called the "casual" and disrespectful segment of the fanbase, arguing that no fighter should be expected to compete with a severely injured eye caused by a foul rather than legitimate striking. He framed the stoppage as the correct call and absolved Aspinall of any wrongdoing, placing sole responsibility on Gane for the illegal technique. Aspinall's extended absence from competition, combined with recent management changes and a separate public dispute between UFC CEO Dana White and his new manager Eddie Hearn, has intensified scrutiny around his timeline for return.