In his first official title defence as undisputed heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall will fight top contender Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. While Aspinall looks to retain his belt and prove he truly belongs, this will be Gane’s third shot at gold and could be his final chance at becoming an undisputed UFC champion.
The fight will serve as the main event for UFC 321 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 25. The location is worth noting, since the time difference will make this a daytime event for North American viewers. Regardless of where you’re watching the fight, you can expect to see some fireworks between these two heavyweights.
Let’s take a closer look at both fighters, covering everything from the tale of the tape to their path towards UFC 321. We’ll also break down the betting angle for this fight, giving you the inside track to cashing in on Saturday’s main event.
Tale of the Tape
| Tom Aspinall | Ciryl Gane | |
| Record | 15-3-0 | 13-2-0 |
| (T)KOs | 11 | 6 |
| Age | 32 | 35 |
| Height | 6’5” | 6’4” |
| Weight | 253lbs | 245lbs |
| Reach | 78” | 81” |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
The Road to UFC 321
Tom Aspinall
With a record of 15-3, Aspinall quickly rose through the ranks of the heavyweight division. The English fighter has excellent knockout power and great athleticism for a heavyweight. Combined with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he’s a dangerous competitor who’s capable of ending the fight at any moment.
Aspinall won the interim heavyweight title in 2023 after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 and successfully defended that title against Curtis Blaydes in 2024. With Jon Jones retiring this past June, he was elevated to undisputed champion and this will be his first opportunity to defend that title.
The 32-year-old has been nearly unstoppable as of late, with his last three victories all coming by first-round knockout. In fact, Aspinall owns the record for fastest average fight time in UFC history at just 2:02. He’ll certainly look to keep that trend going when he steps into the Octagon at UFC 321.
Ciryl Gane
A UFC veteran hailing from France, Ciryl Gane has compiled an impressive 13-2 record dating back to 2018. He may be a heavyweight, but Gane is known for his quick movement and slick striking. He also possesses excellent technical prowess and strong cardio for a fighter of his size.
Gane is no stranger to title fights, having already fought in several championship bouts throughout his career. He was the interim heavyweight champion in 2021 and even defended that title successfully, but eventually lost to Jon Jones in a 2023 fight for the unified title.
Since that loss to Jones, Gane is 2-0 with a knockout victory over Serghei Spivac and a split decision victory versus Alexander Volkov. With MMA fans speculating that this could be his last great chance to seize the heavyweight title, all eyes will be on the Frenchman in Abu Dhabi.
Betting Angle
To Win the Fight
As far as the odds makers are concerned, this main event will be a completely one-sided affair. Aspinall is a heavy favourite heading into UFC 321, with Bodog listing the undisputed champion at -400 to win the fight. Gane may have something to say about that, and with his current odds listed at +300, an upset would lead to some huge payouts.
Most of the public money up to this point has been on Aspinall to win by KO, but the obvious choice isn’t always the right choice. MMA experts recognize Gane’s experience and athleticism, giving the veteran fighter a real chance to win the bout if he can avoid the early storm.
Total Rounds
Championship fights can go up to five full rounds in the UFC, but don’t expect a long, drawn-out battle on Saturday. If you’re planning to bet on the duration of this main event, the over/under is set at just 1.5 rounds; a testament to Aspinall’s track record for getting the job done quickly.
On the other hand, Gane has seen it all before and should be ready to defend himself enough to survive the opening two rounds of the fight. If he’s able to put his speed and quickness to good use, the over could be an easy way to make a profit betting on UFC 321.
Prop Bets
If you’re looking to find better odds on the favourite, there are a number of prop bets available. You may want to think about betting on Aspinall to win by KO, TKO or DQ. At -150, this Method of Victory wager offers excellent value when you consider that each of his past three bouts has ended in a KO/TKO victory.
Another popular prop is for Aspinall to win inside the distance, meaning the fight will not go to a decision. In 18 career fights, he’s never had a single one go to the cards, which probably explains why this bet is listed at -280.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re backing Aspinall to successfully defend his heavyweight title or betting on Gane to finally break through, UFC 321 should deliver plenty of exciting moments. The card is filled with quality fighters and some great matchups, giving MMA fans tons of great betting opportunities. Head to Bodog now to check out the complete odds for every fight and get ready for the main event.