Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host a pivotal heavyweight championship bout on Saturday, October 25, 2025, as reigning undisputed champion Tom Aspinall prepares to defend his title against the formidable No. 1 contender, Ciryl Gane, at UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane. The highly anticipated event will unfold at the state-of-the-art Etihad Arena on Yas Island/Yas West in the United Arab Emirates, with the main card commencing at 2 p.m. ET, following the preliminary bouts which are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET.
This championship encounter marks a significant moment in the heavyweight division, pitting two of its most dynamic and technically proficient athletes against each other. Tom Aspinall, a rapidly ascending force in the division, enters the octagon as the betting favorite, listed at -345 by DraftKings Sportsbook, indicating that a $345 wager would yield $100 in profit. His opponent, Ciryl Gane, is positioned as the underdog at +275, meaning a $100 bet on Gane would return $275 if he were to emerge victorious.
Aspinall’s journey to the undisputed throne has been characterized by a series of dominant performances and a rapid ascent through the heavyweight ranks. The 32-year-old Briton initially claimed the interim UFC heavyweight championship in November 2023 with a decisive knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. He then successfully defended this interim title with another impressive knockout, this time against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024, avenging a prior injury-related defeat. His consistent excellence and activity led to his promotion to undisputed champion on June 21, 2025, solidifying his status at the pinnacle of the sport’s heaviest division.
Born in Manchester, England, Aspinall made his professional debut in December 2014, quickly establishing himself as a formidable finisher. Since joining the UFC in July 2020, his record stands at an impressive 15-3 overall, with a remarkable 12 wins coming by knockout and three via submission, underscoring his versatile finishing ability. Aspinall’s fighting style is defined by a rare combination of speed, agility, and power for a heavyweight. He possesses sharp boxing, dangerous leg kicks, and an underrated grappling game, making him a threat in all facets of mixed martial arts. His historical performance data highlights his efficiency and explosiveness: he holds the shortest average fight time in UFC history at a mere 2 minutes and 2 seconds, and boasts the second-most knockdowns per 15 minutes at 4.09. His accolades include seven Performance of the Night bonuses, tying him for the fourth-most in UFC history, alongside recognition as a top UFC Newcomer in 2020 and securing MMA Awards for Breakthrough Fighter of the Year and Comeback of the Year in 2024.
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Challenging Aspinall for the undisputed title is Ciryl Gane, a 35-year-old striking specialist from Paris, France. Gane enters this championship clash following a split decision victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 last December, a win that reaffirmed his standing as a top contender after a period of mixed results following his own interim title reign. Gane’s professional career began in August 2018, and he quickly garnered attention with three consecutive knockout wins before making his UFC debut in August 2019, where he secured a submission victory over Raphael Pessoa. His initial UFC run saw him win his first 10 professional fights, including a third-round knockout of Derrick Lewis in August 2021, which earned him the interim UFC heavyweight championship and a Performance of the Night bonus.
Gane’s fighting philosophy is characterized by exceptional movement, precise technical striking, and a high fight IQ, earning him the moniker "Bon Gamin" (Good Kid) for his seemingly effortless fluidity in the cage. His overall professional record stands at 13-2, with six wins by knockout, three by submission, and four by decision, showcasing his well-rounded skill set. Despite a previous undisputed title shot loss, Gane remains a significant threat due to his ability to control distance, land powerful combinations, and avoid significant damage. His past achievements include being ranked as the second-best UFC Newcomer of the Year in 2019 and the third-best Fighter of the Year in 2021. Furthermore, his third-round knockout victory over Tai Tuivasa at UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa in 2022 was recognized as the seventh-ranked Fight of the Year. The stylistic clash between Aspinall’s explosive power and Gane’s evasive, technical striking promises a compelling contest for the heavyweight crown.
In addition to the main event, UFC 321 features a compelling co-main event for the women’s strawweight championship, where Mackenzie Dern (-148) will face Virna Jandiroba (+124). Dern, known for her elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pedigree, has continuously evolved her striking to complement her formidable ground game. Jandiroba, also a strong grappler with an aggressive style, has steadily climbed the ranks, making this an intriguing matchup of grappling prowess and strategic striking within the 115-pound division. The winner will establish clear dominance in a competitive weight class.
The main card also features several other high-stakes encounters with significant implications for their respective divisions. In the bantamweight division, the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (-625) is set to face Mario Bautista (+455). Nurmagomedov, a cousin of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, boasts an unblemished record and an elite grappling background, positioning him as a rapidly rising contender. Bautista, with his well-rounded skill set and recent string of impressive victories, represents a considerable challenge and an opportunity to test Nurmagomedov’s championship aspirations.
Another heavyweight clash sees veteran striker Alexander Volkov (+164) taking on the dominant grappler Jailton Almeida (-198). Volkov, a towering figure with extensive experience and refined striking, looks to reassert his position at the top of the division. Almeida, on the other hand, has made a name for himself with a relentless wrestling and submission-heavy approach, quickly dispatching opponents and emerging as a serious threat to the top heavyweights. This bout will be a classic striker-versus-grappler contest with significant implications for the next title challenger.
At light heavyweight, Aleksandar Rakic (-118) returns to action against Azamat Murzakanov (-102). Rakic, known for his powerful striking and tactical approach, aims to reclaim his spot as a top contender after a period of inactivity. Murzakanov, an undefeated prospect with devastating knockout power, seeks to continue his meteoric rise and prove himself against a top-tier opponent. This fight could have immediate repercussions for the competitive 205-pound landscape.
Beyond the main card, the preliminary bouts offer a platform for rising stars and veteran contenders to showcase their skills. Among these, a featherweight matchup between Jose Delgado (-155) and Nathaniel Wood (+130) has garnered particular attention from betting analysts. SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani, who has demonstrated a consistent winning record on UFC main-card picks since January 2023, highlighted this fight as a key preliminary selection. Vithlani, known for his analytical approach, has notably called upsets such as Sean O’Malley (+210) over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 and underdog victories for Dustin Poirier (+190) and Michael Page (+110) at UFC 299.
Regarding the Delgado vs. Wood bout, Vithlani projects Jose Delgado to emerge victorious. "Delgado is a rising featherweight prospect who looks to be legit," Vithlani stated. "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."
UFC 321 promises a night of high-stakes action across multiple divisions, culminating in a heavyweight championship showdown that could define the next era of the sport’s premier weight class. The event, held in the vibrant setting of Abu Dhabi, is poised to deliver memorable performances and significant shifts in the UFC rankings.
UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane Main Fight Card, Odds (Subject to Change)
- 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)
For comprehensive analysis and detailed betting insights across the entire UFC 321 card, expert reports are available through platforms like SportsLine.
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