Tom Aspinall is set to return to the octagon this Saturday at UFC 321, taking on Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight championship in Abu Dhabi. Aspinall, who has been inactive for an extended period, enters the fight as a four-to-one betting favorite. This matchup is crucial for Aspinall’s quest to establish himself as the premier heavyweight in mixed martial arts.
UFC 321 Overview
Alongside the main event, UFC 321 will also feature a co-main event which will crown a new strawweight champion. Mackenzie Dern will face Virna Jandiroba in a rematch of their fight from five years ago. This card is packed with potential title challengers and exciting matchups.
Main Card Highlights
- Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane: Heavyweight Title Fight
- Mackenzie Dern vs. Virna Jandiroba: Strawweight Title Fight
- Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista: Bantamweight Bout
- Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida: Heavyweight Title Eliminator
- Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov: Light Heavyweight Contest
Furthermore, other intriguing matchups include Nasrat Haqparast vs. Quillan Salkilld and Ikram Aliskerov vs. Park Jun-yong, among others.
Fighter Weigh-In and Card Changes
All ten main card fighters successfully made weight ahead of the event. However, some preliminary fighters faced challenges:
- Jose Delgado missed the featherweight limit by one pound, forfeiting 20% of his purse for his fight against Nathaniel Wood, which will proceed as planned.
- Azat Maksum weighed three pounds over the flyweight limit, resulting in a 30% purse forfeit to Mitch Raposo, with the fight continuing at catchweight.
- A lightweight bout between Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady and Matheus Camilo was canceled due to undisclosed personal reasons.
UFC 321 Event Details
The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, with prelim coverage starting at noon ET (9 a.m. PT), while the main card will begin at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Fans can catch the action on Sportsnet.
Betting Insights and Predictions
In terms of betting predictions, the main event’s odds suggest a strong expectation for an exciting showdown. With Aspinall’s track record, it is predicted that the fight will not go the distance, as he has rarely extended past the second round throughout his career.
As fight fans anticipate UFC 321, more than just titles are on the line. The future of the heavyweight division may hinge on the outcome. Aspinall’s victory could lead to more appealing title matchups, while a Gane win would keep the eventual championship landscape uncertain.
As the fights approach, all eyes will be on the competitors, particularly the high-stakes match between Aspinall and Gane. Will Gane realistically upset Aspinall in this pivotal championship matchup? This question ignites excitement leading into UFC 321.
