News Summary
Abu Dhabi is set to host UFC 321, featuring heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall defending his title against Ciryl Gane. The event marks a significant moment as it’s the first title defense in nearly a year. The main card will showcase several exciting bouts, including the co-main event for the vacant strawweight title. UFC 321 emphasizes the organization’s commitment to engaging fans in the Middle East, with Aspinall seeking to solidify his status as champion. Fans can catch the fights through various streaming services and pay-per-view options.
Abu Dhabi is set to host UFC 321 this Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Etihad Arena, where current heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will defend his title against Ciryl Gane. This highly anticipated matchup marks the first time the undisputed heavyweight championship has been contested in 11 months, following Aspinall’s elevation to champion after the retirement of Jon Jones.
The preliminary card action kicks off at 10 AM ET, while the main card is scheduled to begin at 2 PM ET. Fans can catch the preliminary fights airing on FX and available for streaming on Disney+ and ESPN+. The main event will be offered as a pay-per-view on ESPN+ for $79.99.
Aspinall holds an impressive MMA record of 15 wins and 3 losses, which includes 8 victories and 1 defeat within the UFC. His only loss came under unusual circumstances, as he suffered a freak knee injury in the opening seconds of a 2022 match against Curtis Blaydes. Throughout his UFC career, Aspinall has made a significant mark, recording 7 first-round finishes—the highest for any fighter across all weight classes after just nine Octagon appearances. He has also established the shortest average fight time in UFC history at 2 minutes and 2 seconds, alongside an outstanding record of just 1 second spent in the bottom position in his fights.
Aspinall’s striking ability is notable, leading the heavyweight division with an average of 4.09 knockdowns per 15 minutes of fight time and landing an average of 8.07 significant strikes per minute, which also tops the heavyweight leaderboard. Additionally, he boasts the highest significant strike differential at plus-5.18 per minute.
On the other side of the Octagon will be Ciryl Gane, a former interim champion and a formidable opponent. Gane enters this bout following a controversial victory against Alexander Volkov, but he has previously faced setbacks in two title fights. Despite this, Gane’s skill in the cage makes him a dangerous challenger. Aspinall currently holds a betting line of -425 in his favor, indicating a strong expectation for him to retain his title.
In the co-main event, fans can look forward to a clash for the vacant strawweight title, where fighters Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba will vie for supremacy. The main card is rounded out by notable names including Umar Nurmagomedov versus Mario Bautista, Alexander Volkov taking on Jailton Almeida, and a matchup between Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov.
This event illustrates UFC’s ongoing commitment to expand its presence in the Middle East, further engaging fans in the region. Aspinall, keen to establish his dominance, aims to secure a decisive victory over Gane as he solidifies his status after becoming the undisputed champion.
As the world of mixed martial arts converges in Abu Dhabi this weekend, UFC 321 promises to deliver riveting action and high stakes as two of the top heavyweights face off for the belt, alongside a roster of exciting bouts that will keep fans at the edge of their seats.
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HERE Resources
UFC 320 to Feature High-Stakes Title Fights in Las Vegas
Additional Resources
- Bloody Elbow: UFC 321 Preview
- Google Search: UFC 321
- MMA Fighting: UFC 321 Roundtable
- Google Scholar: UFC 321
- MMA Mania: Mackenzie Dern Not Ready
- Encyclopedia Britannica: UFC
- Sherdog: Umar Nurmagomedov Interview
- Google News: UFC 321
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