News Summary
Abu Dhabi will host UFC 321 featuring a heavyweight championship bout where Tom Aspinall defends his title against former interim champion Ciryl Gane. This event is significant as it marks the first title defense in 11 months. The preliminary card starts at 10 AM ET, followed by the main card at 2 PM ET. Aspinall boasts an impressive record and is favored to retain his title against Gane, who is looking to make a comeback after previous title fight losses. Other notable fights will also take place on the card.
Abu Dhabi Hosts UFC 321: Aspinall Defends Heavyweight Title Against Gane
Abu Dhabi is set to host UFC 321 on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Etihad Arena. The event will feature a highly anticipated heavyweight championship bout, with Tom Aspinall defending his undisputed title against Ciryl Gane, the former interim champion. This matchup marks the first time the heavyweight title has been defended in 11 months, making it an exciting occasion for fight fans.
The preliminary card is scheduled to commence at 10 AM ET, followed by the main card starting at 2 PM ET. Fans can catch the preliminary fights on FX or stream them through Disney+ and ESPN+. For those looking to watch the main card, it will be available as a pay-per-view event on ESPN+ at a cost of $79.99.
Tom Aspinall became the undisputed heavyweight champion after being elevated from interim champion status following Jon Jones’ retirement. Aspinall boasts a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 3 losses, with 8 of those wins occurring within the UFC. His only loss occurred due to a freak knee injury in the first moments of a fight against Curtis Blaydes back in 2022.
Aspinall’s Impressive Statistics
Aspinall has made a name for himself with an impressive performance record. He has registered 7 first-round finishes in his UFC career, the highest in UFC history for any weight class, across just nine Octagon appearances. He holds the record for the shortest average fight time in UFC history, clocking in at an astonishing 2 minutes and 2 seconds.
Additionally, Aspinall is notable for having spent the least time in the bottom position (just 1 second) of any fighter in the UFC. His striking stats are equally impressive, with an average of 4.09 knockdowns per 15 minutes of fight time—the highest in UFC heavyweight history. He averages 8.07 significant strikes landed per minute and maintains a significant strike differential of plus-5.18 per minute, also a heavyweight record.
Fighter Backgrounds
Ciryl Gane, Aspinall’s challenger, is looking to reclaim a title after suffering two fights that led to losses in title bouts. Gane recently faced controversy when he won against Alexander Volkov in a preceding match, raising questions about the validity of that victory. Despite this, Gane remains a formidable opponent, known for his technical skills and strategic approach in the Octagon.
As both fighters prepare for the main event, Aspinall’s odds for this match lean significantly in his favor, with a betting line of -425 indicating a strong expectation for him to retain his title.
Other Notable Fights on the Card
UFC 321 will also showcase a co-main event for the vacant strawweight title, pitting Mackenzie Dern against Virna Jandiroba. Other noteworthy matchups include Umar Nurmagomedov facing Mario Bautista, Alexander Volkov battling Jailton Almeida, and Aleksandar Rakic going up against Azamat Murzakanov.
This event underscores the UFC’s ongoing expansion efforts into the Middle East, showcasing the growing popularity of mixed martial arts across diverse regions.
As fight night approaches, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an electrifying evening of combat sports as fans around the world tune in to see if Aspinall can solidify his championship reign against a skilled challenger in Gane.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
UFC 320 Features Title Fights and High-Stakes Matchups
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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