UPDATE: The highly anticipated UFC 321 is underway RIGHT NOW in Abu Dhabi, where Tom Aspinall is defending his undisputed heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane. This marks Aspinall’s first title defense, and the stakes are incredibly high as both fighters are looking to solidify their legacies in the octagon.
The event, which kicked off earlier today, features another thrilling title fight as Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern face off for the vacated strawweight championship. This title was left open by Zhang Weili, who is moving up to flyweight to challenge for that belt. The atmosphere is electric, and fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of these pivotal matches.
Aspinall, boasting a record of 15-3, has been on a remarkable winning streak, finishing all three of his last fights in less than 1 minute, 13 seconds. He currently ranks No. 4 in the ESPN men’s pound-for-pound rankings. Meanwhile, Gane, with a record of 13-2, is seeking redemption in his third shot at the UFC heavyweight title after previously falling short. Gane is currently positioned at No. 2 in the heavyweight rankings, riding a two-fight winning streak.
In the co-main event, Jandiroba, holding a record of 22-3, aims to reclaim her status against Dern, who has a record of 15-5. The two fighters previously met in 2020, with Dern emerging victorious by unanimous decision. Jandiroba is rated No. 10 in the ESPN women’s pound-for-pound rankings, while Dern sits at No. 6 in the strawweight division.
“This is a pivotal moment for both title fights, and the fighters are ready to deliver,” said UFC commentator Brett Okamoto.
As the bouts progress, fans are glued to their screens, and analysts Andreas Hale, Jeff Wagenheim, and Dre Waters are providing live updates and insights into the unfolding action. With both championships on the line, the anticipation is palpable, and the outcome will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of the UFC.
Stay tuned for more updates as the fights continue and champions are crowned. Don’t miss the live coverage, as every second counts in this thrilling showdown!