Heavyweight Championship Takes Center Stage as Tom Aspinall Faces Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to deliver a highly anticipated heavyweight title showdown this Saturday, October 25, 2025, as reigning champion Tom Aspinall puts his undisputed belt on the line against the formidable No. 1 contender, Ciryl Gane, at UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane. The event, held at the state-of-the-art Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, promises a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts action. The main card is scheduled to commence at 2 p.m. ET, following the preliminary bouts which begin at 10 a.m. ET.

This championship bout marks a pivotal moment in the heavyweight division. Tom Aspinall, the 32-year-old British sensation, ascended to the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship with a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. He successfully defended this interim title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024, avenging his previous loss to Blaydes. Aspinall’s dominance in these performances led to his promotion to undisputed champion on June 21, 2025, solidifying his position at the pinnacle of the sport’s heaviest division. His professional record stands at an impressive 15-3, with 12 wins coming by knockout and three by submission, reflecting his well-rounded and dangerous skill set.

Aspinall’s tenure in the UFC has been characterized by explosive finishes and remarkable efficiency. He holds the distinction of having the shortest average fight time in UFC history at just 2 minutes and 2 seconds, underscoring his ability to end fights quickly and decisively. His aggressive approach and potent striking have also earned him the second-most knockdowns per 15 minutes, averaging 4.09. A seven-time recipient of the coveted "Performance of the Night" bonus, Aspinall’s exciting style has made him a fan favorite. His accolades extend beyond fight night bonuses, with him being recognized as the ninth-ranked UFC Newcomer of the Year in 2020, achieving the third spot for UFC Submission of the Year in 2022, and sweeping two major MMA awards in 2024: Breakthrough Fighter of the Year and Comeback of the Year, particularly after his impressive recovery and return following a significant knee injury sustained in his initial bout against Blaydes in July 2022.

Challenging Aspinall for the heavyweight crown is Ciryl Gane, the 35-year-old French combatant. Gane enters this championship contest following a hard-fought split decision victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 last December, a win that re-established his contention after a prior title challenge. Gane’s professional journey began in August 2018, rapidly gaining attention with three consecutive knockout wins that propelled him into 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. His early career saw him amass a perfect 10-0 record, culminating in an interim UFC Heavyweight Championship win over Derrick Lewis via third-round knockout in August 2021, a performance that also earned him "Performance of the Night" honors.

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Gane’s overall professional record is 13-2, with six victories by knockout, three by submission, and four by decision, showcasing his diverse offensive capabilities. Known for his exceptional footwork, technical striking, and agility for a heavyweight, Gane has often been lauded for his "light-heavyweight" movement in the division. His impressive run earned him recognition as the second-ranked UFC Newcomer of the Year in 2019 and the third-ranked Fighter of the Year in 2021. In 2022, his thrilling third-round knockout of Tai Tuivasa at UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa was ranked as the seventh-best Fight of the Year.

The stylistic clash between Aspinall and Gane presents a compelling narrative for analysts and fans alike. Aspinall’s aggressive, power-based approach, combined with his surprising speed and proficient grappling, will test Gane’s evasive striking and defensive mastery. Gane’s ability to maintain distance, land precise strikes, and avoid taking heavy damage has been a hallmark of his career, while Aspinall’s relentless pressure and finishing instincts could force Gane into uncomfortable exchanges. The fight is anticipated to be a high-level chess match, with both fighters possessing the tools to end the contest in spectacular fashion or grind out a strategic victory.

In the realm of sports betting, Tom Aspinall is currently listed as the favorite in the latest UFC 321 odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, with odds of -345 (requiring a $345 wager to win $100). Ciryl Gane, conversely, stands as the underdog at +275 (a $100 wager yields $275 in profit). These odds reflect the betting market’s confidence in Aspinall’s recent performances and his destructive finishing ability. Beyond the moneyline, various prop bets are available, including method of victory (e.g., knockout, submission, decision) and round betting, allowing bettors to speculate on the precise outcome and timing of the main event.

The co-main event features another championship bout, as Mackenzie Dern faces Virna Jandiroba for the Women’s Strawweight Championship. Dern, known for her elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pedigree, enters as the -148 favorite, while Jandiroba, also a skilled grappler and former Invicta FC Strawweight Champion, is the underdog at +124. This bout is expected to be a tactical grappling affair, showcasing two of the division’s most accomplished ground specialists.

The main card further boasts several intriguing matchups:

Bantamweight: The undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (-625) is a significant favorite against Mario Bautista (+455). Nurmagomedov, cousin to Khabib Nurmagomedov, brings an unblemished record and dominant grappling to the octagon, while Bautista seeks to upset the rising star.
Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov (+164), a veteran striker, will take on the powerful grappler Jailton Almeida (-198). This fight pits striking against grappling, a classic UFC dynamic.
Light Heavyweight: Aleksandar Rakic (-118) makes his return to action against the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov (-102). Rakic, known for his crisp striking and power, will test Murzakanov’s perfect record and formidable knockout ability.

For those seeking expert analysis on the upcoming bouts, Daniel Vithlani, a respected MMA analyst from SportsLine, has released his picks and betting advice for UFC 321. Vithlani has demonstrated consistent success since his SportsLine debut in January 2023, boasting a 5-0 record for UFC 283 and accumulating over $1,500 in profit on his UFC main-card picks. His track record includes correctly predicting upsets such as Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, as part of a 4-1 main card performance. He also identified underdog winners Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130) at UFC 299.

Vithlani has provided a specific preliminary card prediction, favoring Jose Delgado (-155) to defeat Nathaniel Wood (+130) in a featherweight contest scheduled for approximately 11:45 a.m. ET. According to Vithlani, "Delgado is a rising featherweight prospect who looks to be legit. Training out of MMA Lab gym, Delgado is a rangy and explosive striker who throws nasty knees and elbows. In his last fight, Delgado knocked out a fighter with great durability in under 30 seconds. Standing 5-foot-11 with a 73-inch reach, Delgado is big for the weight class and will have a considerable size advantage. Wood is a tactical kickboxer with strong UFC experience, and he will provide a step-up in competition for Delgado. However, I don’t think he’ll be able to outpoint Delgado for three rounds. Delgado is the more dangerous and aggressive fighter, and he’s never been finished in his young 10-1 pro career. I think Delgado’s size and pressure will win him this fight."

For new users interested in engaging with the betting markets, several promotions are available. DraftKings Sportsbook offers $300 in bonus bets if a qualifying wager wins, coupled with three months of NBA League Pass. Underdog Fantasy provides $100 in site credits for new users who play $5 with the promo code CBSSPORTS2 in select states. Additionally, FanDuel is offering $300 in bonus bets instantly if a new user’s initial $5 bet wins. These offers provide opportunities for new bettors to participate in the excitement surrounding UFC 321.

UFC 321 is poised to be a landmark event, with the heavyweight championship serving as the centerpiece of a stacked fight card. The main event between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane promises an electrifying display of skill and power, holding significant implications for the future of the UFC’s premier division.