UFC 321: Aspinall Defends Heavyweight Title Against Gane

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — Tom Aspinall is set to defend his heavyweight title for the first time against former interim champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 on October 25.

Aspinall, who recently became the undisputed champion, has faced considerable pressure after Jon Jones vacated the title upon retirement. With Jones out of the picture, Aspinall is eager to assert his dominance in the heavyweight division.

This matchup comes after Aspinall has been regarded as the best heavyweight for the past two years, waiting for the chance to fight Jones. Now, with Gane as his main opponent, Aspinall knows he must not only win but win convincingly.

“The pressure on Tom Aspinall is almost immeasurable,” said Damon Martin from MMA Fighting. “He needs to not only win against Gane but do so in a striking manner, ideally faster than Jones did.”

Gane, who previously lost to Jones and Francis Ngannou, steps into the octagon after a controversial win over Alexander Volkov. While Gane boasts solid skills, many believe he has not performed up to the mark in title fights.

Aspinall, on the other hand, remains focused on making a strong impression as he enters this new heavyweight era. “I want to start this off right,” he said. “It’s time to show that I deserve this title.”

Additionally, the co-main event will feature a key bout between Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern for the vacant strawweight title. Jandiroba, 37, has limited opportunities left to claim the championship, while Dern looks to finally get the title she has pursued throughout her career.

“For either woman to cement their legacy, they need to deliver a decisive performance,” Martin noted about the importance of the co-main event.

Aspinall’s matchup with Gane and the co-main event between Jandiroba and Dern promise to be pivotal moments in the fighters’ careers, drawing interest from fans and pundits alike.