UFC 321: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane Headlines Championship Doubleheader in Abu Dhabi:

The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this Saturday with a blockbuster double championship event at UFC 321, featuring a heavyweight title defense and a high-stakes strawweight rematch. The action unfolds at Etihad Arena, with the five-fight main card kicking off at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT. Aspinall Defends Heavyweight Title Against Gane In the main event, Tom Aspinall (15-3 MMA) makes his first defense of the UFC heavyweight title against France’s Ciryl Gane (13-2 MMA). The British champion, who was elevated to undisputed status earlier this year following Jon Jones’ abrupt retirement, now looks to cement his reign with a statement win in Abu Dhabi. Aspinall’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular. Known for his combination of speed, technical striking, and grappling ability, the Salford native enters the octagon with a calm mindset and a clear goal — to continue building his own legacy. “I am happy to let the fight play out completely organically,” Aspinall told reporters. “Whatever comes available, I will take it, and I will try my best to get the finish.” Across the cage stands Ciryl Gane, a former interim champion who is getting his third shot at undisputed gold. After previous title losses to Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, the 35-year-old Frenchman knows the stakes couldn’t be higher. This could be his final chance to capture the division’s top prize. “Everybody knows the strengths of Tom Aspinall,” Gane said. “But everybody knows my strengths, so we’ll see this Saturday who’s going to manage the situation better.” Strawweight Gold Up for Grabs in Dern vs Jandiroba Rematch The co-main event features a long-awaited rematch between Mackenzie Dern (15-5 MMA) and Virna Jandiroba (22-3 MMA) for the vacant UFC strawweight title. Their first encounter in 2020 ended with Dern earning a unanimous decision victory, but both fighters have evolved considerably since then. The matchup was booked after the UFC finalized the long-anticipated Valentina Shevchenko vs Weili Zhang super fight for the flyweight title at UFC 322 next month in New York. With the strawweight belt now vacant, both Brazilians see this as a career-defining moment. “It’s possible for me to beat her because I’ve done it once,” Dern said. “We’re completely different fighters now. I’ve learned to push through adversity and grow from every fight.” Jandiroba, riding an impressive win streak, views this rematch as both personal and professional redemption. “It’s the cherry on the cake — I get to avenge that fight for the title,” Jandiroba said. “I asked the universe and it gave me the best possible opportunity.” A Stacked Card for Abu Dhabi Fans UFC 321 features a 13-fight lineup, showcasing elite talent across divisions. With a mix of established stars and rising contenders, Saturday’s card promises fireworks from start to finish. Whether it’s Aspinall’s quest to solidify his reign or Gane’s shot at redemption, UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi is set to deliver a memorable night of championship action.

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