UFC 321 Set for Heavyweight Showdown as Champion Tom Aspinall Faces Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is poised for a monumental clash at UFC 321, headlining with the undisputed heavyweight championship bout between reigning titleholder Tom Aspinall and top contender Ciryl Gane. The highly anticipated event will unfold on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the state-of-the-art Etihad Arena, situated on Yas Island/Yas West in the United Arab Emirates. The main card is scheduled to commence at 2 p.m. ET, with preliminary bouts kicking off earlier at 10 a.m. ET, promising a full day of high-stakes mixed martial arts action.

Tom Aspinall, the dynamic British heavyweight, enters this contest as the unified champion, a status he achieved on June 21, 2025. His path to the undisputed throne was marked by impressive performances and a rapid ascent through the division. Aspinall first captured the interim UFC heavyweight championship in November 2023, delivering a resounding knockout victory over the formidable Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. He successfully defended this interim title in July 2024, once again showcasing his devastating power with a knockout win against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. This redemption victory against Blaydes was particularly significant, as it avenged his sole defeat in the UFC, which occurred in July 2022 due to an unfortunate injury.

A professional since December 2014, Aspinall boasts an impressive career record of 15 wins and 3 losses. His finishing prowess is undeniable, with 12 victories coming by knockout and three by submission, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that belies his heavyweight stature. The 32-year-old Manchester native has consistently been recognized for his explosive fighting style, earning "Performance of the Night" honors an remarkable seven times throughout his UFC tenure, a feat that ties him for the fourth-most in the promotion’s history. His statistical dominance extends to his average fight time, which stands at an astonishing 2 minutes and 2 seconds, the shortest in UFC history. Furthermore, Aspinall ranks second in knockdowns per 15 minutes, averaging 4.09, underscoring his aggressive and impactful striking. His accolades also include being ranked ninth for UFC Newcomer of the Year in 2020, third for UFC Submission of the Year in 2022, and receiving both "Breakthrough Fighter of the Year" and "Comeback of the Year" awards in 2024. Aspinall’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric, culminating in this defense of his undisputed title.

Standing opposite Aspinall will be the highly skilled French contender, Ciryl Gane, who holds the No. 1 ranking in the heavyweight division. Gane, 35, hailing from Paris, began his professional mixed martial arts journey in August 2018. His initial foray into the sport saw him secure three consecutive knockout victories, quickly attracting 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 undefeated run, winning his first ten professional fights, a streak 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 currently stands at 13 wins and 2 losses. His victories comprise six by knockout, three by submission, and four by decision, showcasing his versatility and technical proficiency across various facets of MMA. His calm demeanor and fluid movement often defy the typical heavyweight archetype, earning him the moniker "Bon Gamin" (Good Kid). Gane’s significant achievements include being ranked 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 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 testament to his ability to navigate tough, drawn-out contests. This rematch with Aspinall represents a pivotal moment in his career, offering another chance at undisputed gold.

In the realm of betting, Tom Aspinall has been established as the clear favorite, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing him at -345 odds. This implies a wager of $345 would be required to yield a $100 profit if Aspinall secures the victory. Conversely, Ciryl Gane enters the bout as the underdog at +275, meaning a $100 bet on Gane would return a profit of $275 should he emerge triumphant.

Beyond the heavyweight championship, UFC 321 features a compelling co-main event in the women’s strawweight division. Mackenzie Dern is set to face Virna Jandiroba in a highly anticipated clash. Dern is favored in this matchup at -148, while Jandiroba is positioned as the underdog at +124, according to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.

For those seeking expert insights into the card, SportsLine MMA analyst Daniel Vithlani has provided his predictions and betting advice. Vithlani has established a strong reputation for his highly analytical approach to UFC betting, demonstrating consistent success for SportsLine members since his debut in January 2023. He notably commenced his run with a perfect 5-0 record at UFC 283 and has since accumulated over $1,500 in profits on his UFC main-card picks. His track record includes accurately calling significant upsets, such as Sean O’Malley’s (+210) victory over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, which was part of a 4-1 main card performance. Vithlani’s keen eye also identified underdog winners at UFC 299, including Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).

Vithlani has thoroughly analyzed the entire UFC 321 card, including the Aspinall vs. Gane main event. One of his preliminary card selections, revealed for public consideration, involves backing Jose Delgado (-155) to defeat Nathaniel Wood (+130) in a featherweight matchup scheduled for approximately 11:45 a.m. ET. Vithlani’s rationale highlights Delgado as a legitimate rising prospect, training out of the renowned MMA Lab gym. He describes Delgado as a rangy and explosive striker, known for delivering potent knees and elbows. His last outing saw him secure a knockout victory in under 30 seconds against a fighter with a reputation for durability. Standing at 5-foot-11 with a 73-inch reach, Delgado possesses a considerable size advantage for the featherweight division. While acknowledging Wood as a tactical kickboxer with valuable UFC experience, Vithlani believes Wood will struggle to outpoint Delgado over three rounds. He identifies Delgado as the more dangerous and aggressive fighter, noting his undefeated record (10-1 pro career, never finished). Vithlani concludes that Delgado’s size and relentless pressure will be the decisive factors in securing the win.

New users interested in engaging with the betting landscape for UFC 321 can explore promotional offers from various platforms. The DraftKings promo code, for instance, provides new users with $300 in bonus bets if their initial bet wins, alongside a three-month subscription to NBA League Pass. Similarly, the FanDuel promo code offers new users $300 in bonus bets instantly if their qualifying $5 bet is successful. For those in select states, the Underdog promo code, utilizing "CBSSPORTS2," grants $100 in site credits when playing $5.

Vithlani’s comprehensive analysis extends to the main card, where he has identified several additional strong picks, including a fighter he believes will leverage a "physicality and wrestling edge" to achieve a significant victory. Full access to his detailed picks and analysis for the entire UFC 321 card, including the Aspinall vs. Gane main event, is available through SportsLine.

The full main fight card for UFC 321, with current odds, includes:

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

These odds are subject to change as fight night approaches, reflecting betting trends and new information. The stage is set for an electrifying night of fights in Abu Dhabi, culminating in a pivotal heavyweight championship bout that will undoubtedly shape the landscape of the division.

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