UFC 321 preview (Oct 25, 2025): Aspinall vs Gane in Abu Dhabi — full card, start times, how to watch, and keys to victory

Fact box — who / what / where / when

• Event: UFC 321: Aspinall vs Gane
• Main event: Tom Aspinall (c) vs Ciryl Gane — UFC Heavyweight Championship
• Co-main: Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern — UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship (vacant)
• Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
• Venue: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Start times: Prelims 10:00 a.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. GST (Abu Dhabi) / 5:00 p.m. EEST (Estonia); Main card 2:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. GST / 9:00 p.m. EEST
• How to watch (quick guide): US — ESPN+ PPV (main card), ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass (prelims). UK/IE — TNT Sports Box Office (PPV) with Discovery+ support; prelims on Discovery+/UFC Fight Pass. Baltics (Estonia) — Go3/Go3 Sport for main card, UFC Fight Pass for early prelims/prelims; confirm your provider’s listings.

Main event breakdown: Aspinall vs Gane

A first defense for Tom Aspinall against the most technical mover at heavyweight in Ciryl Gane. Aspinall brings the division’s quickest combinations and the most well-rounded finish threat — fast straight shots, snap kicks, immediate level changes, and top pressure with heavy elbows. Gane is the division’s cleanest outside striker: distance management, feints, and open-side kicks that control pace without brawling.

Tale of the tape (selected metrics)

• Height/Reach: Aspinall 6’5″ (78″) vs Gane 6’4″ (81″)
• Significant strikes landed per minute: Aspinall ~8.1; Gane ~5.3
• Takedown average & accuracy: Aspinall ~3.3 / near 100% in limited attempts; Gane ~0.7 / ~25%
• Stance: Both orthodox; Gane stance-shifts situationally for kicks and angles

Keys to victory

Tom Aspinall

• Win the first exchange: Fast-start combinations up the middle force Gane to shell rather than pivot, opening clinch and level-change entries.
• Wrestle on the front half: Time Gane’s retreating exits with doubles to the fence; settle to half-guard and work elbows to force predictable turn-aways.
• Low-volume traps, high-damage moments: Instead of chasing Gane, use cut-off steps and punch-to-shot sequences that make Gane square his hips.

Ciryl Gane

• Keep the ringcraft clean: Circle off to the open side after every two-kick sequence; no straight retreats where Aspinall can run the pipe.
• Kick first, punch second: Front and round kicks disrupt Aspinall’s blitz rhythm; pick at the body and arms to lower the guard before stepping in with counters.
• Make the entries expensive: Immediate collar-tie frames and knees on level changes to tax Aspinall’s gas and discourage chain wrestling.

Style snapshot

Expect Aspinall to pressure and cut lanes rather than pure chase, looking to collide on the fence for clean finishes or mat returns. Gane will try to make it a long-range chess match, keeping the pocket empty and forcing resets. If the bout stays in open space and Gane’s kicks land early, minutes bank toward a decision; if Aspinall finds body locks or half-guard top, the fight tilts toward a finish.

Co-main & featured fights: what to watch

Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern — vacant strawweight title

High-level jiu-jitsu matchup, but their rematch now includes years of striking development. Jandiroba’s defensive shell and clinch entries versus Dern’s forward pressure and improved right hand. If clinches stack up, watch inside trips and knee taps; on the ground, top position will matter more than submission attempt counts.

Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista — bantamweight contender stakes

Umar’s footwork feints into long-range kicks and reactive shots versus Bautista’s compact boxing and scramble-friendly hips. Control time and cage returns could be decisive; if Umar rides wrists on the fence, he can bank minutes even without damage spikes.

Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida — styles clash at heavyweight

Volkov’s tall-guy jab/teeps and tripwire counters meet Almeida’s blast doubles and back-takes. First layer: can Almeida convert shots against a long frame that frames well? Second layer: can Volkov land straight counters and punish the entries enough to slow attempts?

Aleksandar Rakić vs Azamat Murzakanov — light heavyweight litmus test

Rakić’s jab–low kick game and straight-line speed against Murzakanov’s compact power and counter timing. If Rakić controls the outside with feints and kicks, he favors a decision; if Murzakanov wins pocket entries, danger spikes late.

Full fight card (bout order subject to change)

Main card — PPV (2:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. GST / 9:00 p.m. EEST)

• Heavyweight — Tom Aspinall (c) vs Ciryl Gane — title fight
• Women’s Strawweight — Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern — title fight
• Bantamweight — Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista
• Heavyweight — Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida
• Light Heavyweight — Aleksandar Rakić vs Azamat Murzakanov

Prelims — ESPN+/regional partners (10:00 a.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. GST / 5:00 p.m. EEST)

• Middleweight — Ikram Aliskerov vs Jun Yong Park
• Lightweight — Ľudovít Klein vs Mateusz Rębecki
• Lightweight — Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs Matheus Camilo
• Featherweight — Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Miguel Delgado
• Heavyweight — Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Chris Barnett
• Flyweight — Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo
• Women’s Strawweight — Jaqueline Amorim vs Mizuki Inoue

Start times & how to watch

• United States: Prelims on ESPN+/ESPN platforms; main card on ESPN+ PPV (2:00 p.m. ET).
• United Kingdom/Ireland: Main card on TNT Sports Box Office (Discovery+ app support). Prelims on Discovery+/UFC Fight Pass.
• Estonia (Baltics): Expect Go3/Go3 Sport to carry the live main card; prelims on UFC Fight Pass (and regional partners where applicable). Check your Go3 schedule and UFC Events hub the week of the fight.
• Local time (Abu Dhabi): Prelims 6:00 p.m. GST; main card 10:00 p.m. GST.

Note: Broadcaster inventories can vary by territory; always confirm listings in your local app the day before the event.

Odds snapshot (editorial — lines move)

• Aspinall vs Gane: champion ranges around -460 to -400; challenger around +320 to +300 as of Oct 20.
• Jandiroba vs Dern: market leaning Jandiroba ~-215 vs Dern +150 to +165.
• Volkov vs Almeida: Almeida -240 to -250 vs Volkov +195 to +210.

Editorial note: These are snapshots for context, not betting advice. Check your legal sportsbook for current prices and availability in your region.

Stylistic storylines the broadcast will emphasize

• Speed vs space at heavyweight: Aspinall’s fast-twitch detonations versus Gane’s range control and footwork.
• Strawweight rematch with new wrinkles: Dern’s striking improvements vs Jandiroba’s clinch entries and top control.
• Wrestling gravity at 135 & 265: Umar’s wrist-ride system; Almeida’s blast doubles into back takes against a rangy striker.
• Light heavyweight calibration: Can Rakić’s movement and kicking game keep Murzakanov out of his power lanes?

FAQ

What time does UFC 321 start?

Prelims 10:00 a.m. ET (6:00 p.m. Abu Dhabi / 5:00 p.m. Estonia). Main card 2:00 p.m. ET (10:00 p.m. Abu Dhabi / 9:00 p.m. Estonia).

Where is UFC 321 being held?

Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

How can I watch in Estonia?

Main card typically airs on Go3/Go3 Sport; prelims on UFC Fight Pass. Check your Go3 schedule and the UFC Events hub during fight week.

Is this Aspinall’s first undisputed title defense?

Yes, this is the first defense of his reign against top contender Ciryl Gane.

Is the strawweight belt vacant?

Yes — Jandiroba vs Dern is scheduled to crown the new champion at 115 lbs.