Aspinall to defend heavyweight title vs Gane at UFC 321 Abu Dhabi

Undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will defend his title against former interim champion Ciryl Gane on October 25 at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, marking the Manchester fighter's return after more than a year out of the Octagon. Aspinall comes off a 60 second knockout of Curtis Blaydes in July 2024 and enters the five round main event seeking his first successful title defense and a quick turnaround to establish himself as an active champion.

Aspinall has become known for rapid finishes throughout his UFC run and has rarely been pushed into deep championship rounds; some accounts note he has never reached the third round of a UFC fight. The stylistic contrast with Gane, a technically gifted striker with improving grappling defense, has set up a high-stakes matchup between Aspinall's explosive power and grappling and Gane's footwork and movement. Aspinall has acknowledged Gane's improvements and said he is preparing for every possibility, including takedowns. "Its an MMA fight, so anything can happen," he said. "I wouldnt be surprised if he tried to take me down. Im preparing for everything."

Beyond the immediate challenge of Gane, Aspinall has publicly signaled a desire...