Five Reasons to Watch UFC 321, With Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane and a Brazilian Title Fight

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Aspinall and Gane officially face off in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

UFC 321 is one of the company's most prominent events of the season and already historic for Brazil. The show, which takes place this Saturday (25), in Abu Dhabi (UAE), will feature two title fights. In the main event, Tom Aspinall , heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg), faces Ciryl Gane . In the co-main event, Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern will fight for the vacant strawweight title (up to 52,2 kg). In total, the show consists of 13 fights.

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In addition to the athletes, Brazil will be represented by three more professionals at UFC 321. Also on the main card, Jailton Malhadinho faces Alexander Volkov in the heavyweight division. In the preliminary portion of the show, in the same category, Valter Walker , enjoying a great phase in his career, takes on the debuting Louie Sutherland . In the opening fight, Jaqueline Amorim , on a high in the company, faces Mizuki Inoue in the strawweight division. To get you in the mood, the SUPER LUTAS team has selected five reasons to watch the event.

Pay attention to the UFC 321 schedule

UFC 321 will be held in Abu Dhabi and will start at an unusual time for the Brazilian audience. The event begins at 11:00 AM (Brasilia time) and features 13 fights. The main card is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM.

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1) Clash of the Titans in the heavyweights

Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane face off at UFC 321. Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage.

Having not fought since July 2024, Tom Aspinall is free from the Jon Jones saga and, now as the undisputed heavyweight champion, will defend his title for the first time against Ciryl Gane . The duel is highly anticipated by the MMA community because it pits two professionals from the new generation of the division against each other, who impress not only with their athletic physique and knockout power.

Both the Englishman and the Frenchman are intelligent, technical, and fast fighters. Furthermore, the event's protagonists are rivals, and now, finally, they will settle their differences in the octagon. The expectation is for a great fight, and the winner will be a more active champion to avoid stalling the division.

Who will walk away with the heavyweight title: @AspinallMMA or @Ciryl_Gane?

Presented by @Stake | Watch on @UFCFightPassBR starting at 11 AM: https://t.co/OD62F561g5 @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/9B46X447ca

— UFC Brazil (@UFCBrasil) October 24, 2025

2) Brazil will have its 4th UFC champion

Virna and Mackenzie officially face off at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

It's official! The winner of the fight between Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern will join the select group of Brazilian female UFC champions. Currently, the trio consists of Amanda Nunes , Cris Cyborg , and Jéssica Andrade . And the fourth representative of the country at the top of the company will be determined through a rematch.

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In 2020, the athletes faced off, with Dern defeating Jandiroba by unanimous decision. Now, the Brazilians, jiu-jitsu specialists and enjoying a great career, promise to put up a superior fight, as they are more comfortable in the octagon. In any case, the winner will be recognized as the new strawweight force following Zhang Weili's departure, and the loser will enjoy the affection of their fans.

A Brazilian woman is going to be a UFC champion! @VirnaJandiroba faces @MackenzieDern for the strawweight title at #UFC321!

Presented by @Stake | Watch on @UFCFightPassBR starting at 11 AM: https://t.co/OD62F561g5 @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/QadNvAn6gR

— UFC Brazil (@UFCBrasil) October 24, 2025

3) Malhadinho one step away from fighting for the belt

Malhadinho makes weight and confirms UFC fight. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

Jailton Malhadinho is on a mission, and the last obstacle could be Alexander Volkov . Ranked fifth in the heavyweight division and riding a two-fight win streak, the Brazilian, should he triumph again against the division's number two, will be very close to challenging for the title next.

It's worth noting that champion Aspinall, if he confirms his favoritism against Gane, has already named the winner of the fight as his likely opponent. To secure victory, Malhadinho will need to utilize his wrestling and jiu-jitsu to take down the giant Russian and control him on the ground.

A lot is at stake in this one.

Alexander Volkov vs @Malhadinho_UFC

[ #UFC321 | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/htpXE5bvNu

— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2025

4) Rise of Walter Walker

Valter Walker makes weight and confirms fight in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

Like Malhadinho, Valter Walker is also doing well in the UFC and is looking to establish himself among the elite heavyweights. Currently, the Brazilian has three consecutive wins and is ranked 15th in the division.

Furthermore, Johnny Walker's brother has become a popular figure among fans due to his charisma and personality. At the event, the athlete welcomes newcomer Louie Sutherland and promises to twist another foot in the octagon. In fact, Valter is the favorite to win the fight.

5) New threat to Poatan?

Murzakanov celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

After facing stiff competition in the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg), Alex Poatan may soon have a new threat. In addition to Carlos Ulberg , Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov are fighting at UFC 321, both hoping to break into the top 5 of the division, especially the Russian.

For many years, the Austrian was part of this group, but he struggled with injuries, suffered three consecutive losses, and dropped to seventh in the rankings. On the other hand, Murzakanov is undefeated in MMA and has five UFC wins, gaining prominence in the division. Therefore, since the Brazilian has already eliminated much of his light heavyweight competition, the Russian, ranked tenth in the rankings and a 'newcomer,' may end up benefiting.

Action packed light heavyweight battle on the way @Rakic_UFC vs Azamat Murzakanov

[ #UFC321 | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/7n4SOzNJ6l

— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2025