The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to descend upon the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this Saturday, October 25, for UFC 321. The marquee event features a highly anticipated clash for the undisputed heavyweight championship, pitting reigning titleholder Tom Aspinall against the formidable No. 1 contender, Ciryl Gane. The main card is scheduled to commence at 2 p.m. ET, promising a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts action in the global fight capital.

Tom Aspinall, a 32-year-old phenom from Manchester, England, enters the contest as the undisputed heavyweight king, a title he officially earned on June 21, 2025. His path to the summit of the heavyweight division has been marked by a series of dominant performances and rapid ascensions. Aspinall initially claimed the interim UFC heavyweight championship with a resounding first-round knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. He then successfully defended this interim title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024, avenging a previous injury-related loss to Blaydes from July 2022. Aspinall’s professional record stands at an impressive 15 wins and 3 losses, with 12 victories coming by knockout and three by submission, underscoring his diverse and lethal skill set.

Aspinall’s statistical profile highlights his exceptional finishing ability and efficiency. He holds the shortest average fight time in UFC history at a remarkable 2 minutes and 2 seconds, showcasing his propensity for quick and decisive victories. His average of 4.09 knockdowns per 15 minutes ranks him second in UFC history, further illustrating his striking power. Throughout his UFC tenure, Aspinall has earned the coveted "Performance of the Night" bonus seven times, a feat that ties him for the fourth-most in company history. His accolades extend beyond performance bonuses, including being ranked ninth for UFC Newcomer of the Year in 2020, and third for UFC Submission of the Year in 2022. The year 2024 saw him garner significant recognition, earning both the "Breakthrough Fighter of the Year" and "Comeback of the Year" awards in the MMA community, cementing his status as one of the sport’s most exciting and rapidly developing talents. His black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Nicholas Brooks, combined with his elite boxing and athleticism, makes him a threat in all facets of the game.

Challenging Aspinall for the heavyweight crown is Ciryl Gane, the 35-year-old French striking specialist known as "Bon Gamin." Gane, who trains out of Paris, France, began his professional mixed martial arts career in August 2018, quickly making an impact with three consecutive knockout victories that caught the attention of the UFC. He made his promotional debut in August 2019, securing a submission win over Raphael Pessoa at UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2. Gane embarked on an impressive 10-0 undefeated streak to start his career, a run that included a third-round knockout of Derrick Lewis in August 2021 to capture the interim UFC heavyweight championship and earn "Performance of the Night" honors. His professional record stands at 13 wins and 2 losses, with six victories by knockout, three by submission, and four by decision, showcasing his well-roundedness, albeit with a primary focus on his elusive and technical striking.

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Gane’s journey to the top has also been punctuated by significant recognition. He was ranked as the second-best UFC Newcomer of the Year in 2019 and the third-best Fighter of the Year in 2021. In 2022, his thrilling third-round knockout victory over Tai Tuivasa at UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa was recognized as the seventh-ranked "Fight of the Year." Gane is coming off a split decision victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 last December, a fight that further solidified his position at the top of the heavyweight rankings following a previous undisputed title challenge against Francis Ngannou. His background in Muay Thai has endowed him with exceptional footwork, diverse striking attacks, and an ability to maintain distance, making him a complex puzzle for any opponent.

The stylistic matchup between Aspinall and Gane presents a compelling dynamic. Aspinall brings explosive power, speed, and a high-level grappling threat, often looking to finish fights early. His ability to blend striking with opportunistic takedowns and submissions makes him unpredictable. Gane, conversely, relies on his technical striking, incredible athleticism for a heavyweight, and masterful distance management. His fights often involve a measured approach, patiently dissecting opponents from range before capitalizing on openings. The key for Aspinall will be to close the distance effectively, negate Gane’s movement, and unleash his formidable power. For Gane, maintaining space, utilizing his jab, and defending against Aspinall’s takedowns will be paramount to securing victory.

In the co-main event, the women’s strawweight championship will be contested between Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba. Dern, a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, enters as the -165 favorite, reflecting her superior grappling credentials and impressive submission game. Jandiroba, also a strong grappler with an evolving striking arsenal, is listed as the +140 underdog. This bout is expected to be a high-level grappling chess match, with both fighters possessing the skills to finish on the ground.

Beyond the championship bouts, UFC 321 features a compelling main card. Umar Nurmagomedov (-550), an undefeated bantamweight prospect, is a significant favorite against Mario Bautista (+410). In the heavyweight division, Alexander Volkov (+190) faces Jailton Almeida (-230), a dynamic grappler who has made a significant impact since joining the UFC. The light heavyweight division will see Aleksandar Rakic (+100) take on Azamat Murzakanov (-120) in a closely contested matchup.

The betting markets, as reflected by DraftKings Sportsbook, position Tom Aspinall as a substantial favorite at -380, requiring a wager of $380 to win $100. Ciryl Gane, despite his pedigree and No. 1 contender status, is the underdog at +300. These odds indicate a strong belief in Aspinall’s ability to retain his title, likely due to his recent performances and formidable finishing power.

Expert analysis from seasoned MMA bettors often provides additional layers of insight. Daniel Vithlani, a highly analytical UFC bettor affiliated with SportsLine, has established a consistent track record of success, accumulating over $1,500 in profits on his UFC main-card picks since his debut in January 2023. Vithlani’s notable calls include a 5-0 record for UFC 283, an upset prediction for Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card, and successful underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) and Michael Page (+110) at UFC 299.

Among his predictions for UFC 321, Vithlani has identified Jose Delgado (-150) to defeat Nathaniel Wood (+125) in a featherweight preliminary card matchup. Vithlani characterizes Delgado as a "rising featherweight prospect who looks to be legit." He highlights Delgado’s training at the MMA Lab gym, describing him as a "rangy and explosive striker who throws nasty knees and elbows." Vithlani notes Delgado’s recent performance where he "knocked out a fighter with great durability in under 30 seconds." Furthermore, Delgado’s physical attributes, standing 5-foot-11 with a 73-inch reach, provide a "considerable size advantage" in the featherweight division. While acknowledging Wood as a "tactical kickboxer with strong UFC experience" who represents a "step-up in competition for Delgado," Vithlani believes Wood "won’t be able to outpoint Delgado for three rounds." He concludes that "Delgado is the more dangerous and aggressive fighter, and he’s never been finished in his young 10-1 pro career," predicting that "Delgado’s size and pressure will win him this fight."

The full main fight card for UFC 321, with current odds, is as follows:

• Tom Aspinall (-380) vs. Ciryl Gane (+300)
• Virna Jandiroba (+140) vs. Mackenzie Dern (-165)
• Umar Nurmagomedov (-550) vs. Mario Bautista (+410)
• Alexander Volkov (+190) vs. Jailton Almeida (-230)
• Aleksandar Rakic (+100) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (-120)

UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi promises to be a pivotal event in the heavyweight division, with Tom Aspinall seeking to cement his legacy as the undisputed champion against a highly skilled and experienced challenger in Ciryl Gane. The card is packed with high-stakes matchups and intriguing stylistic clashes, setting the stage for a memorable night of mixed martial arts.

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