Aspinall Focuses on Silencing Distractions Before UFC 321 Clash with Gane
UFC 321 is set to take place in Abu Dhabi, featuring a highly anticipated heavyweight title defense by Tom Aspinall against Ciryl Gane. This event marks Aspinall’s first defense of his undisputed UFC heavyweight championship. Aspinall (15-3 MMA) secured the title earlier this summer after Jon Jones retired, creating an opening for him to rise to the top, according to ESPN.
Aspinall Embraces Pressure Ahead of UFC 321
Despite the title at stake, Aspinall expressed confidence entering the match. He stated he feels no significant pressure as he aims to build his legacy in the heavyweight division. Aspinall remarked, “I am happy to let the fight play out completely organically.” He emphasized his commitment to seeking a decisive victory during the fight.
Gane’s Determined Challenge
Ciryl Gane, a former interim champion with a record of 13-2 MMA, has faced defeat in his previous title attempts. He lost to Jon Jones at UFC 285 and former champion Francis Ngannou at UFC 270. Acknowledging the high stakes, Gane is determined to perform exceptionally in this matchup.
“Everybody knows the strengths of Tom Aspinall, but everybody knows my strengths as well. We will see this Saturday who manages to excel,” Gane stated ahead of the fight.
Co-Main Event: A Strawweight Rematch
The co-main event features a rematch for the vacant UFC strawweight title, pitting Virna Jandiroba against Mackenzie Dern. Their first encounter took place in December 2020, where Dern won by unanimous decision. This time, both fighters are eager to claim the title, bringing their respective records of 22-3 MMA for Jandiroba and 15-5 MMA for Dern into the octagon.
Dern noted, “It’s possible for me to beat her because I’ve done it once.” She recognized the growth both fighters have undergone since their last match.
Jandiroba, reflecting on the first fight, referred to it as “part of her history.” She expressed excitement about the opportunity for redemption, stating, “It’s a rematch I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, UFC 321
- Main Card Start Time: 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT
- Venue: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Main Card Bout Order:
| Fighter 1 | Fighter 2 | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall (c) | Ciryl Gane | UFC Heavyweight Title |
| Virna Jandiroba | Mackenzie Dern | Vacant UFC Strawweight Title |
| Umar Nurmagomedov | Mario Bautista | Bantamweight |
| Alexander Volkov | Jailton Almeida | Heavyweight |
| Aleksandar Rakic | Azamat Murzakanov | Light Heavyweight |
As UFC 321 approaches, both Aspinall and Gane are ready to showcase their skills in what promises to be an unforgettable night of mixed martial arts action.
