Introduction to the UFC 321 Main Event
MMA fans, this is a must-see event full of drama, high stakes, and finishes. In this fight preview, we will go through the fighters styles and give our MMA breakdown of how this heavyweight title fight will go.
October 25, 2025, UFC heavyweight title, Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane, UFC 321 Etihad Arena Abu Dhabi UAE. Big one for both of them. Aspinall is looking to cement his reign, and Gane is looking for redemption in his third shot at UFC gold.
Background of Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane UFC 321
Tom Aspinall walks into UFC 321 as champion, a title he won when Jon Jones retired in June 2025. Aspinall a 32 year old beast from Manchester England has been a force in the UFC with a 15-3 record and 100% finish rate in his wins excluding one decision win against Andrei Arlovski. His last fight at UFC 304 in July 2024 he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in one minute avenging his only UFC loss and defending his interim heavyweight title. Now with the undisputed belt Aspinall wants to prove he’s the king of the division.
Ciryl Gane the No 1 ranked heavyweight contender comes in with a 13-2 record. He’s known for his slick striking and movement the 35 year old Frenchman is a former interim heavyweight champion who won the belt against Derrick Lewis in August 2021. Despite losses in title fights against Francis Ngannou in 2022 and Jon Jones in 2023 Gane has bounced back with a TKO over Serghei Spivac in September 2023 and a controversial split decision win against Alexander Volkov in December 2024. This is Ganes third attempt to win the undisputed UFC heavyweight title so it’s a big moment in his career.
Fighter Profiles Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane
Tom Aspinall The Heavyweight Finisher
Tom Aspinalls rise in the UFC has been meteoric. Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and with devastating striking power Aspinall combines technical grappling with explosive knockouts. He can finish fights quick and is a fan favourite and a nightmare for opponents.
- Record 15-3 8-1 in the UFC
- Notable Wins Sergei Pavlovich KO Curtis Blaydes KO Alexander Volkov submission
- Strengths Lightning quick hands versatile grappling aggressive fight finishing instincts
- Weaknesses Limited experience against elite strikers like Gane potential over aggression
Aspinalls last two fights were both first round finishes. His KO of Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023 got him the interim title and his quick finish of Blaydes at UFC 304 sealed the deal. Aspinall has been frustrated with multiple attempts to fight Gane in the past citing scheduling conflicts and Ganes commitments to a Netflix series. This adds a personal element to the Aspinall vs Gane UFC 321 matchup.
Ciryl Gane The Striking Maestro
Ciryl Gane nicknamed Bon Gamin is one of the most technical heavyweights in MMA. His Muay Thai and kickboxing background gives him a special skillset with fluid footwork and precise striking that bothers opponents. Ganes ability to move in and out of range makes him hard to hit but his grappling defense has been a problem.
- Record 13-2 10-2 in the UFC
- Notable Wins Serghei Spivac TKO Alexander Volkov decision Derrick Lewis TKO
- Strengths Elite striking quick footwork high fight IQ
- Weaknesses Susceptible to wrestling and grappling limited knockout power in heavyweight
Ganes recent fights show he’s tough. After a quick sub loss to Jon Jones in 2023 he bounced back with a dominant TKO over Spivac and a defeated decision win over Volkov. Ganes ability to adapt his striking game will be crucial against Aspinalls aggressive style but he must avoid being taken down where Aspinalls BJJ could pose a significant threat.
Fight Analysis Of Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane UFC 321
Striking Battle Speed vs Power
Aspinall vs Gane UFC 321 main event is a striker vs striker fight with different styles. Aspinalls striking is based on raw power and aggression to close the distance and land big punches. His first round knockouts show he can overwhelm opponents quickly and catch them off guard with his speed for a heavyweight.
Gane on the other hand uses technical precision and movement. His in and out footwork allows him to control the pace of the fight landing jabs, leg kicks and body shots while avoiding big damage. Posts on X highlight Ganes speed as an advantage with some fans thinking he can match or even surpass Aspinalls pace. But Aspinalls ability to cut the cage and force exchanges could neutralize Ganes movement.
- For Aspinall Pressure Gane against the cage and land big shots
- For Gane Keep distance and counter Aspinalls aggression
Grappling and Ground Game
While both fighters are known for their striking Aspinalls grappling pedigree gives him an edge on the ground. His BJJ black belt and submission win over Alexander Volkov show his ability to capitalize on takedowns. Gane has struggled against wrestlers in the past most notably in his loss to Francis Ngannou who used grappling to control the fight. If Aspinall can secure a takedown he could dominate on the ground or look for a submission.
Ganes grappling defense has improved as seen in his recent fights but he will need to keep the fight standing to maximize his chances. His ability to scramble and return to his feet will be critical especially if Aspinall shoots for takedowns early as some X posts predict.
- Key for Aspinall Chain wrestling to tire Gane and create submission opportunities
- Key for Gane Stay upright and use his footwork to avoid takedown attempts
Fight Prediction Who Wins at UFC 321
Aspinall vs Gane is a close one with the odds reflecting that. As of July 2025 Aspinall is -400 and Gane +300 according to Forbes. Aspinall’s finishing ability and all round skill makes him the favourite but Gane’s technical striking and elusiveness could cause problems.
Aspinall’s path to victory will be to pressure and potentially take the fight to the ground to capitalise on his grappling advantage. If he can get in close and land his heavy hands a knockout is there for the taking. Gane needs to keep the fight at range with his jab and leg kicks to frustrate Aspinall and potentially win by decision over five rounds.
Given Aspinall’s 100% finish rate in the UFC excluding one fight and Gane’s struggles against top level grapplers the prediction is Aspinall for a second round TKO. His ability to mix striking and grappling will overwhelm Gane’s defensive style especially if he can trap him against the cage.
- Knockout Prediction Tom Aspinall via TKO in Round 2
- Alternative Scenario Gane wins by decision if he avoids takedowns and outstrikes Aspinall over five rounds
Why UFC 321 is a Must-Watch Event
UFC 321 is more than just a title fight it’s a new era for the heavyweight division. Jon Jones is out of the picture and Aspinall can now become the face of the division while Gane can finally get the undisputed title. The card also has some great fights like Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida and Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov to make it an even more interesting card.
Abu Dhabis Etihad Arena has hosted some amazing UFC moments from Khabib Nurmagomedovs dominance at UFC 242 to Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway at UFC 308. If you’re attending UFC 321 you can expect a electric atmosphere and a night of MMA madness.
Conclusion Get Ready for Aspinall vs Gane at UFC 321
Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane UFC 321 is going to be a banger on October 25 2025. Tom Aspinalls finisher vs Ciryl Ganes technique will decide the heavyweight division. Whether you’re rooting for Aspinalls knockout power or Ganes striking this is going to be a fight of the year contender.
Stay tuned for the full fight card and join the conversation on social media using UFC321. Who do you think will be the new heavyweight champ? Comment below and let us know if you agree with us Ascend the throne.