Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo has claimed that a rule change is imminent following the eye-poke incident that ended Tom Aspinall’s heavyweight title fight with Ciryl Gane.

The UFC 321 main event earlier this month was halted in the first round after Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes, leaving the champion unable to continue. The fight was ruled a no-contest under current regulations for unintentional fouls.

Cejudo, a former two-division titleholder, said the incident has forced regulators to act. “The athletic commissions need to step up and change the rule,” said Cejudo. “First poke, automatic point deduction. Second time, disqualification. Enough is enough.”

He said he believes the conversation is already happening behind the scenes. “I’ve been hearing it’s coming soon,” Cejudo said. “They can’t keep letting fights end like this. It’s not fair to the fighters or the fans.”

The bout left Aspinall visibly injured, struggling to open his right eye as officials called an end to the contest. The incident has reignited debate around fighter safety, referee enforcement, and the design of UFC gloves — long criticised for encouraging an open-hand posture that increases the risk of eye pokes.

Cejudo said a combination of updated rules and improved equipment would help prevent similar outcomes. “They need to redesign the gloves and make sure guys are keeping their hands closed when they strike,” he said. “It’s not just about the rules — it’s about enforcing them properly.”

Neither the UFC nor the state athletic commissions have announced formal changes, but the discussion around stricter penalties and protective measures has intensified following the Aspinall-Gane controversy.