The highly anticipated UFC 321 main event, set to unfold in Abu Dhabi, features a compelling clash for the undisputed heavyweight championship between reigning titleholder Tom Aspinall and former interim champion Ciryl Gane. As fight week progresses, a predominant theme emerging from the prefight narrative has been the intense pressure surrounding both combatants, albeit for distinct reasons.

Tom Aspinall (15-3), an athlete widely regarded as the division’s presumptive next star, shoulders the significant expectation of validating his championship reign. His ascent to the undisputed throne was expedited following Jon Jones’ decision to vacate the heavyweight title, a move perceived by many as an avoidance of a unification bout with Aspinall. This turn of events has placed the onus on the 32-year-old Salford native to solidify his position, despite aspects of his game, such as his ground defense and chin, remaining largely untested at the highest level. Compounding this pressure, Aspinall enters the Etihad Arena as a considerable 4-to-1 betting favorite. A notable statistical anomaly in his career is that he has never competed beyond the second round in his 18 professional fights, an experience deficit that will be critically examined as he faces the championship distance of five rounds this weekend.

However, the weight of expectation is not exclusively borne by Aspinall, a point Ciryl Gane (13-2) was quick to emphasize earlier in the week. "I don’t think it’s about who has more pressure on their head and shoulders because I have the pressure, also," Gane stated to CBS Sports on Monday. "Every fight you have the pressure but, for the belt, there is a lot of pressure from the media and everywhere." Gane’s acknowledgment highlights the universal nature of high-stakes competition, particularly when a championship is on the line.

The landscape of the UFC heavyweight division has seen significant shifts, with Jon Jones’ brief "retirement" in June – a four-day hiatus reportedly influenced by discussions of a potential White House lawn fight card in 2026 – underscoring a perceived lack of depth. This scenario, exacerbated by Jones’ protracted avoidance of Aspinall, had contributed to a period of stagnation within the division. For Ciryl Gane, the 35-year-old French native, this dynamic has presented a bittersweet opportunity. While the scarcity of established, deserving contenders has paved the way for his third, and likely final, shot at the undisputed heavyweight title, it also brings with it the skepticism surrounding the merits of his contention.

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Gane’s journey up the heavyweight ranks has been notably unconventional and swift. A decorated Muay Thai practitioner, Gane transitioned to mixed martial arts relatively late, commencing his MMA training only in 2018. Within a mere year and three professional bouts, his unique blend of a 6-foot-5 frame, exceptional athleticism, and dynamic quickness caught the attention of the UFC. His subsequent entry into the promotion in 2019 saw him embark on an impressive six-fight winning streak within two years, culminating in a dominant performance against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 in 2021, where he claimed the interim heavyweight title. This rapid ascent positioned Gane as a potential long-term force in the division.

However, the period following his interim title win brought forth a series of challenges that exposed perceived vulnerabilities in his game and a relative lack of experience at the absolute elite level. "I started [MMA] really late and everything looked like easy for me," Gane reflected. "When you are winning, you don’t have any questions about yourself." The ensuing five fights over the subsequent four years, however, would force Gane to confront those questions head-on, casting doubt on whether he could truly reclaim the form that propelled him to such a rapid rise.

His first major setback came in a unification bout against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 in January 2022. Gane lost by unanimous decision in a contest where Ngannou was reportedly fighting with severely injured knee ligaments (MCL and ACL) sustained just three weeks prior to the fight. Despite Ngannou’s compromised state, Gane was unable to capitalize, leading to a loss that, while close in some observers’ opinions, still highlighted areas for improvement. This outcome, Gane admitted, did not initially trigger deep self-reflection due to the perceived closeness of the fight.

Gane rebounded eight months later with a brutal knockout victory over Tai Tuivasa at UFC Paris in September 2022. While a decisive finish, the fight saw Gane visibly rocked and drawn into an unnecessary, wild brawl, momentarily straying from his typically composed striking approach. This moment, despite the win, subtly underscored the need for disciplined execution.

The most significant and widely criticized defeat for Gane occurred in March 2023 at UFC 285, against Jon Jones. In Jones’ highly anticipated return to heavyweight after a three-year layoff, he needed just over two minutes to decisively take Gane down and secure a submission victory via guillotine choke, with Gane offering minimal resistance. This loss served as a profound turning point for Gane. "My first loss against Ngannou, some people thought I won and it was very close, [so there was] not too much introspection," Gane elaborated. "But then, when you lose to Jon Jones, you stop everything and you turn off your phone and you talk with your coach and your family because it’s really hard at first. I’m a competitor and it’s really hard to lose like that. And the social media [reaction] was really hard, also. You have to be more focused on yourself." The swift and decisive nature of the defeat against Jones, particularly given the perceived ease with which he was submitted, fueled widespread speculation about Gane’s grappling deficiencies.

Six months after the Jones defeat, Gane secured a critical bounce-back victory, finishing Serghei Spivac in under two rounds in front of a jubilant home crowd in Paris. This dominant performance seemed to re-establish his momentum. However, this positive trajectory was tempered by his most recent outing in December 2023, a rematch against Alexander Volkov. Gane was awarded a split-decision victory, a result that generated considerable controversy, with many observers, including UFC CEO Dana White, publicly disagreeing and believing Gane had lost the bout. Gane later revealed the circumstances behind his performance: "I was really frustrated during this fight because I did a really good camp. [But] unfortunately, I broke my foot in like the very first minute. I was very frustrated, even though I won. It was a bad sensation but I had to calm myself and enjoy it and not be too hard on myself." This contentious victory, coupled with the injury, further complicated the narrative surrounding Gane’s deservingness of another title shot.

Given his recent history of setbacks at the highest level, including two losses in three championship appearances, the stakes for Gane at UFC 321 are exceptionally high. A third defeat in a championship bout within three years would undeniably make it difficult for the UFC to justify another undisputed title opportunity, potentially signaling the end of his championship aspirations. This inherent pressure has, by Gane’s account, fueled his resolve, particularly in addressing the perceived weaknesses in his ground game, an area that has become a focal point for media and fan scrutiny.

"People like to say I am not good in my ground game but I lost just one time [because of it] and it was against Jon Jones," Gane stated, directly challenging the prevailing misconception. "Trust me, I did this mistake [once] but I won’t do this mistake again. I have more wins [because of] my ground game than losses. People like to underestimate me on my ground game but I was never, never afraid to go to the ground." His assertion implies that the Jones loss was an anomaly against an all-time great grappler, rather than an indictment of his overall grappling prowess.

Conventional wisdom suggests Gane’s optimal strategy against Aspinall would be to prolong the fight, leveraging his movement and striking to evade Aspinall’s early power and explosive grappling, and aiming to extend the bout into the later rounds where Aspinall remains unproven. However, Gane offers a more nuanced perspective on his tactical approach. "I can do both," he affirmed. "I can fight him like a dog in the very first round and I also can do [it] over five rounds. I’m not going to explain my tactic or gameplan but I can do both. Whatever is going to happen, I’m going to present and I’m ready for it. [Aspinall] is a very good fighter but me too, me too." This statement suggests a confidence in his versatility and readiness for various scenarios that may unfold within the octagon.

Gane’s background in team sports such as soccer and basketball has endowed him with exceptional athleticism and conditioning, qualities that make him one of the most physically capable heavyweights on the UFC roster. Considering the typically later aging curve for heavyweights and the fact that Gane is only seven years into his mixed martial arts career, the potential for continued significant improvement behind the scenes, despite a series of high-profile losses, remains a tangible possibility.

For Ciryl Gane, UFC 321 represents a pivotal moment – a now-or-never proposition for his ultimate title hopes. A victory would not only silence a chorus of detractors but also validate his journey, affirming his potential at the sport’s highest echelon. "For me, if I get this win, I’m going to be really grateful about my life and the experience," Gane concluded. "I think this is the way you have to do to be a real champion. I have a lot of experience and I learned a lot during my disappointment against Jon Jones and we have fixed it. We are really prepared for this fight in every department, mentally and physically. That’s why I am really happy for this fight." His resolve and declared preparedness underscore the significance of this encounter, positioning it as a defining chapter in his career.

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Ali Akbar Rosady

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