Tom Aspinall will take on Ciryl Gane at Etihad Arena on Saturday, 25 October.
The mystery is over as details around the highly anticipated UFC 321 have emerged, revealing that Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane will headline in Abu Dhabi for an epic heavyweight title fight. It marks the mixed martial arts organisation’s return to the capital, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). Taking place on Saturday, 25 October at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, the event promises an electrifying showdown as the UFC heavyweight champion and no.1 contender go head to head in the Octagon.
UFC 321, for the uninitiated, is the second UFC event scheduled in Abu Dhabi this year, with heavyweight champion Aspinall (15-3, fighting out of Manchester, England) looking to cement his legacy in the heavyweight division. A well-rounded finisher with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he secured his title with a stunning first-round KO of Sergei Pavlovich. He also boasts dominant wins over Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Andrei Arlovski, and now aims to defend his belt for the first time as the undisputed heavyweight king.
Meanwhile, Gane (13-2, fighting out of Paris, France) looks to make history in his first appearance of 2025. Known for his elite footwork and striking finesse, the former interim champion rose through the heavyweight ranks with impressive victories over Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Alexander Volkov. The French star now sets his sights on another statement win as he attempts to reclaim UFC gold. Additional bouts on the card include:
– Aleksandar Rakic (14-5, fighting out of Vienna, Austria) will take on undefeated Azamat Murzakanov (15-0, fighting out of New Jersey, USA) in a light heavyweight matchup.
– Two heavyweight contenders face off as Alexander Volkov (38-11, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) takes on Jailton Almeida (22-3, fighting out of Salvador, Brazil).
– Azat Maksum (15-2, fighting out of Kaskelen, Kazakhstan) faces Mitch Raposo (9-3, fighting out of Massachusetts, USA), who looks to get back in the win column, in a flyweight fight.
– Ikram Aliskerov (16-2, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) takes on JunYong Park (19-6, fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) in what promises to be a thrilling middleweight fight.
– Hamdy Abdelwahab (4-1, fighting out of New York, USA, by way of Egypt) faces off against Chris Barnett (23-9, fighting out of Florida, USA) in a heavyweight bout.
Abu Dhabi has hosted some of the highest-calibre UFC bouts, featuring everyone from world champions to rising stars in recent years, making for plenty of unforgettable moments in the process. From Khabib Nurmagomedov’s dominant title defense at UFC 242 to the thrilling showdown between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at UFC 308, it has further cemented its status as a global stage for world-class MMA action. UFC 321 tickets are now on sale via ticketmaster.ae. VIP Experience packages will be available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. These exclusive packages offer premium seating, VIP access to weigh-ins, all-inclusive hospitality, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes and more.
Discover: UFC 321. Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. @etihadarena.ae
