UPDATE: The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown as Tom Aspinall defends his undisputed heavyweight championship for the first time against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, today. This thrilling event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM GST on September 16, 2023, and promises to deliver electrifying action.
In addition to the heavyweight clash, the card features a pivotal strawweight title bout between Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern, with the championship vacated by Zhang Weili, who is moving up to flyweight. Aspinall, boasting a record of 15 wins and 3 losses, comes into this fight on a remarkable three-fight winning streak, each victory achieved in under 1 minute and 13 seconds. He currently ranks No. 4 in the ESPN men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
For Gane, holding a record of 13 wins and 2 losses, this marks his third attempt to claim the UFC heavyweight title. He is riding a two-fight winning streak and stands at No. 2 in the ESPN heavyweight top 10. The stakes are incredibly high for both fighters, as victory here could solidify their legacies in the sport.
In the co-main event, Jandiroba (record: 22-3) faces Dern (record: 15-5) in a rematch from their 2020 encounter, where Dern emerged victorious by unanimous decision. Jandiroba is currently ranked No. 10 in the ESPN women’s pound-for-pound rankings and No. 2 in strawweight, while Dern holds the No. 6 position at 115 pounds.
As the countdown to UFC 321 intensifies, experts like Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale, Jeff Wagenheim, and Dre Waters will be providing live updates and analysis, ensuring fans are kept in the loop on every thrilling moment.
Fans around the world are eagerly anticipating these matchups, which hold significant implications for the future of the heavyweight and strawweight divisions. Stay tuned as we bring the latest results and insights from UFC 321, unfolding live in Abu Dhabi!
