Ciryl Gane Defends Fighting Style After Eye-Poke Controversy with Tom Aspinall

French heavyweight fighter Ciryl Gane has stated he will not alter his fighting style despite controversy surrounding accidental eye pokes during his recent title bout against Tom Aspinall in Abu Dhabi. Gane addressed the incident publicly for the first time, dismissing accusations that the fouls were intentional or indicative of dirty fighting. He explained that the eye contact occurred when he attempted to push Aspinall’s face away after landing a middle kick, describing it as an unfortunate but common occurrence in Mixed Martial Arts. Gane criticized Aspinall for exaggerating the severity of the injuries, noting that observers cannot truly judge the situation from outside the cage. Despite criticism from various figures in the combat sports community, Gane remains steadfast in his approach. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall has expressed interest in a rematch, aiming to face the interim title holder upon his return from injury. The article also mentions Gane's upcoming scheduled fight against Alex Pereira, highlighting that the eye-poke drama continues to overshadow his career narrative despite his refusal to adapt his technique.