News Summary
UFC 321 is set to take place in Abu Dhabi, featuring Tom Aspinall defending his heavyweight championship against former interim champion Ciryl Gane. Aspinall, known for his explosive fighting style, will make his first title defense after a lengthy break. The event will include several preliminary matches and is part of UFC’s efforts to expand its presence in the Middle East, promising an exciting night for fight fans.
Abu Dhabi Set for UFC 321: Heavyweight Showdown on October 25
The United Arab Emirates’ capital, Abu Dhabi, is all set to host UFC 321 on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The main event will feature Tom Aspinall defending his undisputed heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane, the former interim champion. This highly anticipated matchup marks Aspinall’s first title defense in 11 months since being elevated to the undisputed champion following the retirement of Jon Jones.
Preliminary card action is set to start at 10 AM ET, with the main card kicking off at 2 PM ET. Fans can catch the preliminary card on FX or stream it via Disney+ and ESPN+. The main event will be available for pay-per-view on ESPN+ for a price of $79.99.
Aspinall’s Title History and Performance
Tom Aspinall boasts an impressive mixed martial arts (MMA) record of 15 wins and 3 losses, with a UFC record of 8 wins and 1 loss. His only setback in the UFC came from a freak knee injury in the opening seconds of a bout against Curtis Blaydes in 2022. Aspinall is known for his explosive fighting style, holding the record for the most first-round finishes in UFC history, with 7 such victories to his name through only nine Octagon appearances.
Additionally, Aspinall has the shortest average fight time in UFC history, clocking in at just 2 minutes and 2 seconds. He also holds records for the least amount of time spent in the bottom position (just 1 second) and boasts an average of 4.09 knockdowns per 15 minutes of fight time, which is the highest in UFC heavyweight history. Furthermore, he averages 8.07 significant strikes landed per minute, along with the highest significant strike differential at plus-5.18 per minute.
Gane’s Challenge
Ciryl Gane enters the ring after a controversial victory against Alexander Volkov but comes with the weight of having lost two previous title fights. Despite this, Gane has remained a prominent figure in the heavyweight division and poses a significant challenge to Aspinall. The betting odds favor Aspinall heavily, with a betting line of -425, indicating strong confidence in his capability to retain the championship.
Additional Fights on the Card
The co-main event will showcase a battle for the vacant strawweight title between Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba. Other exciting matchups are also slated for the card, including Umar Nurmagomedov facing Mario Bautista, as well as Alexander Volkov taking on Jailton Almeida and Aleksandar Rakic squaring off against Azamat Murzakanov.
UFC’s Expansion in the Middle East
This event signifies UFC’s ongoing effort to expand its presence in the Middle East, aiming to attract a broader audience and grow the sport in the region. The high-profile matchups and enthusiastic local support are expected to make UFC 321 a memorable event in the history of mixed martial arts.
As the fight approaches, all eyes will be on Tom Aspinall to see if he can solidify his reign as the heavyweight champion against a resilient and determined Ciryl Gane, promising a night filled with intense action and thrilling moments for fans around the world.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
UFC 320 Set for Las Vegas with Title Fights
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
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
