UFC 321 Preview: British MMA Star set for UAE Showdown

Mixed martial arts (MMA) fans are eagerly anticipating the blockbuster heavyweight showdown between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane in the United Arab Emirates.

The top two-ranked fighters in the division will lock horns for the undisputed title at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 25.

There are also several other exciting match-ups on the card. Read on as we preview what promises to be a thrilling MMA event in the Middle East.

Jones' Retirement Paves the Way for Aspinall vs Gane Blockbuster

Future UFC Hall-of-Famer Jon Jones pulled out of a fight with Aspinall, paving the way for the latter to be handed the heavyweight belt.

Aspinall has not fought since his revenge win over Curtis Blaydes in July 2024 and will be desperate to prove his mettle once again.

However, Gane stands in his way. The Frenchman has refused to go away despite coming up short in his last two attempts to win the belt against Francis Ngannou and Jones.

Gane bagged another title shot via a controversial win over Alexander Volkov in December, and he will be hoping that the third time is the charm.

Aspinall has gained recognition for defeating his opponents early. His average fight time is one of the lowest in UFC history.

His speed and size make him a devastating force in the heavyweight division. He moves as quickly as a light heavyweight, and his experience training with Rico Verhoeven will prove valuable.

Aspinall's only defeat in his nine UFC fights came in 2022 against Blaydes, but he has subsequently bounced back with three victories in a row.

He is the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers to extend his winning run. Fans inclined towards in online betting in the UAE will wager heavily on him to get the job done.

However, his penchant for closing out fights early means he has never been taken into deep waters, which could be a problem if Gane avoids Aspinall's early big hits.

The 35-year-old is adept at fighting from distance thanks to his superior technique and long limbs, which could help him upset the odds in Abu Dhabi.

He needs to avoid being in close quarters with Aspinall, especially in the early exchanges. His best chance at a win is sniping from distance, hoping to wear out Aspinall before picking him apart.

Another potential winning strategy for Gane would have been to test Aspinall on the ground. However, as evidenced during the Jones fight, Gane is not the most refined wrestler.

Despite this, Gane is a worthy adversary who could scupper the bookmakers’ predictions. His striking style and movement are quite unorthodox for a man of his size.

His experience in the deep end against respected warriors such as Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho R Rozenstruik could prove valuable.

Gane also has impressive head movement, which needs to be on point to avoid the early knockout power of Aspinall. Weathering that storm is key to victory for the former interim champ.

UFC 321 Undercard Features Several Mouth-Watering Bouts

The vacant women’s strawweight title will be contested between Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event.

The clash between Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida is also one to watch, with the winner set to be given a future shot at the heavyweight title.

Umar Nurmagomedov will be eager to bounce back from the loss to Merab Dvalishvili. However, Mario Bautista, who is on an eight-fight win streak, is a stern test for the Dagestani fighter.

Bautista will be eyeing a title shot, and eliminating the number two fighter in the bantamweight division will boost his hopes of getting an opportunity.

Aleksandar Rakic’s spot in the light heavyweight top ten rankings is up for grabs when he faces Azamat Murzakanov. The latter is undefeated in professional MMA.