Heavyweight Championship Takes Center Stage as Aspinall Battles Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host a monumental heavyweight championship clash this Saturday, October 25, at UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane. Reigning undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will defend his coveted title against the formidable No. 1 contender, Ciryl Gane, in a highly anticipated main event at the state-of-the-art Etihad Arena on Yas Island/Yas West, 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.

Tom Aspinall’s ascent to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division has been nothing short of spectacular. The British phenom initially claimed the interim UFC heavyweight championship with a dominant first-round knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023. He successfully defended this interim title with another emphatic knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024, avenging his previous loss to Blaydes in July 2022. Aspinall’s consistent, high-level performances led to his promotion to undisputed champion on June 21, 2025, solidifying his status at the top of the sport’s heaviest weight class. His opponent, Ciryl Gane, enters this championship bout following a hard-fought split decision win over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310 last December, a victory that re-established his claim as a top contender after a previous setback in his own quest for undisputed gold.

Championship Showdown: Aspinall vs. Gane

Aspinall, 32, has rapidly established himself as one of the most dynamic heavyweights in UFC history. Since turning professional in December 2014 and making his UFC debut in July 2020, he has compiled an impressive professional record of 15 wins and 3 losses. His finishing ability is a hallmark of his career, with 12 victories coming by knockout and three by submission, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that few heavyweights possess. His aggressive, fast-paced fighting style is reflected in his statistics; Aspinall holds the record for the shortest average fight time in UFC history at an astonishing 2 minutes and 2 seconds, underscoring his propensity for quick finishes. Furthermore, his average of 4.09 knockdowns per 15 minutes ranks him second all-time, highlighting his devastating striking power. Throughout his career, Aspinall has earned Performance of the Night honors seven times, tying him for the fourth-most in UFC history, and has garnered accolades such as Breakthrough Fighter of the Year and Comeback of the Year in 2024. His journey from promising prospect to undisputed champion has been marked by explosive performances and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

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Across the octagon, 35-year-old Ciryl Gane, fighting out of Paris, France, presents a unique challenge. Known for his exceptional athleticism and fluid movement for a heavyweight, Gane’s "Bon Gamin" nickname aptly describes his elegant yet devastating fighting style. He commenced his professional fighting career in August 2018, quickly drawing the attention of the UFC with three consecutive knockout victories. His promotional debut in August 2019 saw him secure a submission win over Raphael Pessoa at UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2. Gane went on an undefeated run, winning his first 10 professional matches, a streak that included a third-round knockout of Derrick Lewis to capture the interim UFC heavyweight championship and earn Performance of the Night honors in August 2021. His professional record stands at 13 wins and 2 losses, with six victories by knockout, three by submission, and four by decision. Gane’s accolades include being ranked as the second-best UFC Newcomer of the Year in 2019 and the third-best Fighter of the Year in 2021. In 2022, his third-round knockout of Tai Tuivasa at UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa was recognized as the seventh-ranked Fight of the Year. Gane’s technical striking, defensive prowess, and ability to maintain distance make him a formidable opponent, often likened to a light heavyweight in a heavyweight’s body.

The matchup between Aspinall’s explosive power and rapid finishes against Gane’s technical striking and evasive movement promises a strategic and potentially thrilling encounter. Observers anticipate a high-level chess match on the feet, with Aspinall likely aiming to close the distance and unleash his devastating combinations, while Gane will look to utilize his footwork and jab to control the range and pick apart the champion from the outside.

Co-Main Event: Women’s Strawweight Championship

In the co-main event, a pivotal women’s strawweight championship bout will see Mackenzie Dern (-148) face Virna Jandiroba (+124). Dern, renowned for her elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pedigree, has steadily evolved her striking to complement her world-class grappling. Her submission skills are a constant threat, and she has consistently sought to improve her stand-up game, making her a dangerous adversary in all phases of the fight. Jandiroba, also a highly skilled grappler with a strong ground game, is known for her relentless pressure and durability. This matchup is expected to be a captivating contest between two top-tier strawweights, with both fighters possessing the tools to finish the fight on the mat or potentially engage in striking exchanges. The implications for the strawweight division are significant, as the winner will solidify their position at the very top.

UFC 321 Betting Odds and Expert Insights

Ahead of UFC 321, DraftKings Sportsbook lists Tom Aspinall as the clear favorite in the main event at -345 (requiring a $345 wager to win $100), while Ciryl Gane is positioned as the underdog at +275. In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern is favored at -148 against Virna Jandiroba, who sits at +124.

For those seeking informed betting advice, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has provided his comprehensive analysis and picks for UFC 321. Vithlani, a highly analytical UFC bettor, has demonstrated consistent success for SportsLine members since his debut in January 2023, notably achieving a 5-0 record for UFC 283. His track record includes an impressive profit of over $1,500 on his UFC main-card sports betting picks. Among his notable calls are predicting Sean O’Malley’s upset victory (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card performance. His UFC 299 winners also included underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).

Vithlani’s detailed analysis extends beyond the main and co-main events. He has identified several key opportunities across the fight card, including a specific pick for the preliminary featherweight matchup between Jose Delgado (-155) and Nathaniel Wood (+130), scheduled for approximately 11:45 a.m. ET.

Regarding the Delgado vs. Wood bout, 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." This pick underscores Vithlani’s methodology of evaluating physical attributes, fighting styles, and recent performances.

Full Main Card and Additional Betting Insights

The main card for UFC 321 features several other intriguing matchups that carry significant implications for their respective divisions:

Umar Nurmagomedov (-625) vs. Mario Bautista (+455): This bantamweight clash pits the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, a grappling prodigy from the renowned Nurmagomedov family, against the durable and well-rounded Mario Bautista. Nurmagomedov’s exceptional wrestling and submission game, combined with his improving striking, make him a daunting challenge for any opponent. Bautista, meanwhile, has shown resilience and a willingness to engage, making this a test for Nurmagomedov’s ascent in the stacked bantamweight division.
Alexander Volkov (+164) vs. Jailton Almeida (-198): A heavyweight encounter that promises contrasting styles. Volkov, a veteran striker with significant reach and knockout power, looks to rebound from his loss to Gane. He faces Jailton Almeida, a grappling powerhouse known for his relentless takedowns and ground-and-pound. Almeida’s rapid rise through the heavyweight ranks has been predicated on his ability to quickly bring fights to the mat and dominate. This fight will likely be a classic striker vs. grappler contest.
Aleksandar Rakic (-118) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (-102): This light heavyweight bout marks the return of Aleksandar Rakic, who has been sidelined due to injury, against the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov. Rakic, a powerful striker with a strong defensive game, will be eager to re-establish his championship aspirations. Murzakanov, known for his heavy hands and aggressive style, presents a dangerous challenge for Rakic’s comeback. The odds for this fight are nearly even, reflecting the competitive nature of this matchup.

Vithlani has also identified a compelling pick on the main card, backing a fighter who he believes "will use a physicality and wrestling edge" to secure a significant victory. His full detailed picks and analysis for all major bouts at UFC 321 are available exclusively at SportsLine, providing comprehensive insights into how each fight might unfold and the most advantageous betting opportunities.

UFC 321 promises an action-packed night of mixed martial arts, headlined by a pivotal heavyweight title defense that will undoubtedly shape the future of the division.