UFC 321: Heavyweight Crown on the Line as Aspinall Meets Gane in Abu Dhabi Showdown

For the first time since March 2023, when Jon Jones secured a swift victory over Ciryl Gane, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s undisputed heavyweight title will be contested without the shadow of an active interim championship. This pivotal moment arrives as Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC), elevated from interim to full champion, prepares for his inaugural defense against the formidable Ciryl Gane (12-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in the main event of UFC 321 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The heavyweight division has navigated a period of uncertainty, primarily due to Jon Jones’ prolonged inactivity and his public reluctance to face Aspinall. However, a significant shift occurred in June when Jones vacated the title and briefly announced his retirement, only to reveal days later his intention to return to competition later this year. As the promotion makes its 22nd visit to the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, five key storylines dominate the narrative surrounding this highly anticipated fight card.

1. Tom Aspinall Bears the Weight of Expectation

Tom Aspinall, the 32-year-old Englishman, steps into the Octagon as the undisputed heavyweight champion, facing perhaps the most significant pressure of his career. Despite a stellar 9-fight UFC tenure that includes eight stoppage victories and only one loss—a knee injury that was decisively avenged in a subsequent knockout—critical questions persist regarding the full scope of his capabilities. Aspinall has never extended beyond the second round in his 18 professional fights, let alone reaching the five-round championship distance. Observers ponder his ground game proficiency, the resilience of his chin under sustained fire, and his stamina in deep waters. To date, his combat identity has been defined by his exceptional hand speed, immense knockout power, and an aggressive, albeit sometimes chin-exposed, backpedaling style for which he has yet to pay a significant price.

The narrative surrounding Aspinall has also been heavily influenced by Jon Jones’ past comments, which frequently questioned Aspinall’s overall fighting ability, marketability, and whether he was merely a fleeting talent. With Aspinall currently positioned as a substantial betting favorite, exceeding 4-to-1 against Gane, a loss of any kind could inadvertently validate Jones’ dismissive remarks and potentially undermine Aspinall’s reign before it truly begins. For Aspinall, this bout against Gane is not just a title defense; it is an imperative to unequivocally prove that Jones’ apprehension to face him was rooted in a genuine respect for his dynamic and explosive talent, a talent that many now view as the undeniable future of the heavyweight division. A dominant performance is crucial to solidify his position and silence any lingering doubts about his championship pedigree.

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2. Ciryl Gane’s Championship Aspirations: A "Now or Never" Moment

At 35 years old, Ciryl Gane faces a pivotal juncture in his career, with many analysts labeling this fight as his final opportunity to claim the undisputed heavyweight crown. Upon his UFC debut in 2019, just a year after transitioning from Muay Thai to MMA, the 6-foot-5 kickboxer was hailed as the prototype for the modern heavyweight. Gane’s ascent was swift, culminating in an interim heavyweight title win over Derrick Lewis in 2021, pushing his professional record to an unblemished 10-0. However, the ensuing four years have seen a perceived stagnation or even regression in his development. His ground game, once considered a potential weakness, was severely exposed in consecutive title losses: first against Francis Ngannou, who fought with a compromised knee, and then famously against Jon Jones, who submitted Gane in a mere 2 minutes and 4 seconds of the first round.

Interspersed between these title setbacks were moments that further raised concerns. During a 2022 knockout victory over Tai Tuivasa, Gane was visibly hurt multiple times, showcasing a vulnerability previously unseen. His most recent outing in December, a rematch against Alexander Volkov, resulted in a highly disputed split decision win, a verdict that UFC CEO Dana White openly disagreed with. While Gane did display a resurgence in a 2023 TKO win over a surging Serghei Spivac, his overall trajectory suggests a fighter who has struggled to evolve past his initial ceiling. For the native of France, the challenge against Aspinall is clear: he must demonstrate significant improvements in his glaring ground weaknesses and prove his ability to navigate the championship rounds, potentially by dragging Aspinall into deeper waters where the Englishman’s stamina is untested. Failure to do so could effectively close the door on his aspirations for undisputed UFC gold.

3. The Vacated Women’s Strawweight A New Era Begins

The women’s strawweight division is set for a significant shake-up following the departure of its dominant force, Zhang Weili. The 36-year-old Chinese superstar and two-time 115-pound champion recently vacated her title, announcing her intention to move up in weight to challenge flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko in a highly anticipated superfight. This historic clash is slated to serve as the co-headliner for UFC 322 in November, promising to be one of the year’s marquee matchups. While Zhang’s exit leaves a void in a division that has, in recent times, lacked the star-powered depth it once commanded, it also creates an immense opportunity for a new champion to emerge and define the next era.

This Saturday, Virna Jandiroba (16-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Mackenzie Dern (9-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will meet in the co-main event, a rematch of their 2020 encounter, to vie for the vacant title. Jandiroba, a former Invicta FC champion, has experienced a remarkable resurgence in her UFC career. After a challenging start that saw her lose three of her first six fights since her 2019 debut, the 37-year-old Brazilian has hit her stride, riding an impressive five-fight win streak. Known for her soft-spoken demeanor outside the cage and highly technical grappling inside, Jandiroba’s recent run includes victories over top contenders such as Yan Xiaonan, Amanda Lemos, Loopy Godinez, and Marina Rodriguez, showcasing her consistent improvement. Dern, who secured a decision win over Jandiroba in their first meeting, has had a more tumultuous path. Once touted as a future star with immense marketing potential following her 2018 debut, Dern’s career has been marked by inconsistency. Despite entering this fight on a two-fight win streak, she holds a 3-4 record in her last seven outings. At 32, Dern’s window to fulfill her potential is now, but she must overcome a history of questionable game planning and inconsistent striking technique against a former foe who has demonstrably refined her craft.

4. Umar Nurmagomedov’s Bantamweight Ambition: The Path to Dvalishvili

The bantamweight division presents a compelling question: Is Umar Nurmagomedov (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) the only fighter capable of truly challenging the seemingly invincible Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC)? This query might appear audacious, especially considering Nurmagomedov’s unanimous decision loss to Dvalishvili in their January title bout. However, the circumstances surrounding that fight, coupled with Nurmagomedov’s inherent skill set, keep the conversation alive. Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," is a dominant champion with few discernible weaknesses, returning for his fourth title defense of 2025 in a December rematch against former champion Petr Yan.

Nurmagomedov, cousin to UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, revealed he broke his right hand in the first round against Dvalishvili. Despite this significant injury, he firmly believes he did enough to win, a sentiment not shared by the judges who scored the bout 48-47 (twice) and 49-46 in Dvalishvili’s favor. Nurmagomedov possesses a perfectly well-rounded game that includes the Dagestani wrestling pedigree synonymous with his family name, a skill that could effectively threaten Dvalishvili’s relentless takedown offense. The only perceived gap in their previous encounter was Nurmagomedov’s gas tank, which couldn’t quite match the Georgian champion’s legendary cardio. Nurmagomedov has stated he will address this aspect as he prepares for his return bout against Mario Bautista (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC). With Dvalishvili having effectively cleared out much of the division, the winner of this Saturday’s Nurmagomedov-Bautista clash is expected to earn the next shot at the champion. Nurmagomedov enters as a significant betting favorite, as high as 6-to-1, to snap Bautista’s impressive eight-fight win streak and position himself for another shot at the title.

5. Alexander Volkov’s "Gift": A Gritty Challenge Against Jailton Almeida

Alexander Volkov (37-11 MMA, 11-5 UFC), the towering Russian heavyweight, saw his impressive five-fight win streak controversially halted in December when Ciryl Gane secured a split decision victory that garnered widespread disagreement from fans and analysts alike. This result felt like a familiar pattern for Volkov, echoing past instances where he lost significant fights that could have propelled him into title contention, such as his knockout loss to Derrick Lewis in the closing seconds of a 2018 bout he was thoroughly dominating. However, this time, UFC CEO Dana White publicly acknowledged the injustice, being heard on camera consoling Volkov and promising to "take care of him" in the future.

That promise has apparently materialized into a crucial contender’s bout against the highly dangerous Brazilian ground specialist, Jailton Almeida (20-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC). Almeida boasts an impressive 8-1 UFC record, with seven of those victories coming by finish, including four via submission. He enters this contest as a slight betting favorite, a reflection of the inconsistent takedown defense that the 36-year-old Volkov has occasionally displayed throughout his career. For Volkov, a victory against a grappler of Almeida’s caliber is paramount. Should he navigate this challenging matchup successfully, and provided he is not bypassed by a returning Jon Jones or a rising Alex Pereira potentially moving to heavyweight, this win could finally position him for the elusive UFC title shot that has eluded the former Bellator MMA champion throughout his decorated career.