UFC To Take Major Action After Tom Aspinall Eye Poke Incident

UFC referee Herb Dean has revealed that the organisation is planning on holding a meeting following the Tom Aspinall eye incident.

Heavyweight champion Aspinall's anticipated UFC comeback fight against top contender Gane at the Etihad Arena ended in disaster after Gane accidentally poked the champion in both eyes, causing an injury in the first round.

The injury to Aspinall's eyes rendered him unable to continue, forcing referee Jason Herzog to declare the fight a no contest, with a rematch likely to be booked some time in the near future.

Since then, Aspinall's dad Andy has confirmed that his son remains unable to see from one eye, with his sight about 50% in the other, leading to calls for the UFC to change the rules regarding eye pokes in fights.

And it appears that the MMA organisation has listened, as top UFC referee Dean has revealed plans to hold a meeting to discuss the Aspinall eye poke incident in the coming days.

Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane was declared a no contest at UFC 321. Image: Getty

Following the controversial end to UFC 321, many fans and pundits have said that it is unfair that Gane faces no repercussions for the foul, regardless of the fact that the poke was deemed to be accidental.

Some have called for the fight result to be changed to a disqualification loss for Gane, while others have suggested the Frenchman be hit with a suspension or fine for the eye poke.

And according to Dean, something is going to be done to prevent eye pokes in future fights as a meeting is set to take place on November 4.

"Enough people are fed up with the eye poke situation that something is going to be done... There's gonna be a meeting where we go over that. Definitely something's gonna happen," Dean told Helen Yee Sports.

"Enough people are upset, enough of the right people. Some people have been talking, it's got enough momentum... Early next week, I think there's a conversation happening on the fourth [of November]."

Herb Dean is one of the most senior referees in the UFC. (Image: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Although it remains uncertain exactly what the UFC will be discussing regarding the eye poke issue or how it could impact Aspinall or Gane, it's clear that some big changes to the rules could be on their way in the near future.

Should Gane be handed a disqualification loss or some kind of suspension, it could put his planned immediate rematch with Aspinall in doubt, despite UFC President and CEO Dana White reassuring fans that it would be next.

Herb Dean reveals UFC fighters admitted to committing intentional fouls

Elsewhere in his interview with Helen Yee, Dean revealed that, although this may or may not be the case for Gane, some fighters intentionally foul their opponents due to a lack of fear of repercussions.

"There are some good people, and they’re not doing fouls on purpose." he admitted.

"Then there are a lot of guys that say, ‘Well, every groin kick that I ever did was intentional.’ And these are guys, once they’ve retired, they’re telling me, ‘Oh yeah, that fight when you refereed me, that was intentional when that happened.’"