UFC 321: Aspinall and Gane Set for Heavyweight Championship Showdown in Abu Dhabi

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s undisputed heavyweight title will be contested this Saturday as reigning champion Tom Aspinall prepares to face the formidable No. 1 contender Ciryl Gane at UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane. The highly anticipated clash, headlining a stacked fight card, will unfold at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with the main card commencing at 2 p.m. ET and preliminary bouts kicking off at 10 a.m. ET.

Tom Aspinall, a dynamic force in the heavyweight division, enters the octagon as the current champion, a status he formally achieved on June 21, 2025. His path to the undisputed title began with a spectacular performance at UFC 295 in November 2023, where he claimed the interim UFC heavyweight championship by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich. Aspinall further solidified his claim with a dominant defense of the interim belt, delivering another knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024. These decisive wins underscore the 32-year-old Briton’s explosive power and rapid ascent through the ranks.

Aspinall’s professional record stands at an impressive 15-3, with 12 of his victories coming by way of knockout and three by submission, highlighting his versatile finishing capabilities. He initiated his professional career in December 2014 in Manchester, England, and made a memorable UFC debut in July 2020. His impactful performances have frequently garnered "Performance of the Night" honors, a distinction he has received seven times, tying him for the fourth-most in UFC history. Aspinall is also recognized for having the shortest average fight time in UFC history at an astonishing 2 minutes and 2 seconds, reflecting his propensity for swift finishes. Furthermore, he boasts the second-highest rate of knockdowns per 15 minutes, averaging 4.09. His career accolades include ranking ninth for UFC Newcomer of the Year in 2020 and securing the third spot for UFC Submission of the Year in 2022. The year 2024 proved particularly significant for Aspinall, as he earned two prestigious MMA awards: "Breakthrough Fighter of the Year" and "Comeback of the Year," notably avenging his July 2022 loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall.

Across the octagon, Ciryl Gane, 35, hailing from Paris, France, represents a significant challenge as the division’s No. 1 contender. Gane’s most recent outing saw him secure a hard-fought split decision victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 last December, a win that propelled him back into title contention. "Bon Gamin" (The Good Kid), as he is known, embarked on his professional fighting journey in August 2018, quickly making an impression with knockout wins in his first three bouts. This rapid success caught the attention of the UFC, leading to his promotional debut in August 2019, where he submitted Raphael Pessoa at UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2. Gane maintained an unblemished record through his first 10 professional fights, a run that included a third-round knockout of Derrick Lewis in August 2021, earning him the interim UFC heavyweight championship and a "Performance of the Night" bonus.

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Gane’s career record is 13-2, comprising six knockouts, three submissions, and four decision victories, showcasing his well-rounded skill set and tactical approach. His early career also saw him recognized as the UFC’s second-ranked 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, further cementing his reputation as an elite heavyweight.

DraftKings Sportsbook has positioned Aspinall as the clear favorite for the main event, with odds of -345 (requiring a $345 wager to win $100). Gane enters as the underdog at +275. In the co-main event, a pivotal women’s strawweight championship bout, Mackenzie Dern is favored at -148 against Virna Jandiroba, who is listed at +124. These odds reflect the perceived strengths and recent performances of the fighters heading into their respective contests.

For those seeking informed perspectives on the event, MMA analyst Daniel Vithlani, a respected expert for SportsLine members, has released his predictions and betting advice for UFC 321. Vithlani, known for his highly analytical approach to UFC betting, has maintained a consistent winning record since his debut in January 2023, notably achieving a 5-0 record for UFC 283. His successful track record includes accumulating over $1,500 in profits on his UFC main-card picks. Among his notable calls are predicting Sean O’Malley’s upset victory (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, contributing to a 4-1 main card performance. Vithlani’s correct underdog selections at UFC 299 included Dustin Poirier (+190) over Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).

One of Vithlani’s specific preliminary card selections for UFC 321 involves backing Jose Delgado (-155) to defeat Nathaniel Wood (+130) in a featherweight matchup, projected to begin around 11:45 a.m. ET. Providing rationale for his pick, Vithlani stated, "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." Vithlani has also indicated he is supporting another fighter on the card, stating that this individual "will use a physicality and wrestling edge" to secure a significant victory.

As the fight week unfolds in Abu Dhabi, various sportsbooks are offering promotions for new users. DraftKings, for instance, is providing a promotion that includes $300 in bonus bets if a new user’s initial wager wins, alongside three months of NBA League Pass. Underdog Fantasy has an offer for $100 in site credits when playing $5 with the promo code CBSSPORTS2 in select states. Additionally, FanDuel is offering new users $300 in bonus bets instantly if their initial $5 bet is successful.

The full main card for UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane, with current odds, is as follows:

• Tom Aspinall (-345) vs. Ciryl Gane (+275)
• Mackenzie Dern (-148) vs. Virna Jandiroba (+124) (Women’s Strawweight Championship)
• Umar Nurmagomedov (-625) vs. Mario Bautista (+455)
• Jailton Almeida (-198) vs. Alexander Volkov (+164)
• Aleksandar Rakic (-118) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (-102)

All odds are subject to change as fight night approaches. The UFC 321 event promises a night of high-stakes action, particularly in the heavyweight division, as Aspinall seeks to defend his undisputed title against a determined Gane in what is expected to be a captivating contest.

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