For the first time since Jon Jones beat Cyril Gane in March 2023, the UFC heavyweight championship will be defended without an interim title in play. Tom Aspinall, who was previously the interim champion, has now been elevated to the undisputed heavyweight champion and will defend his belt against Gane on Saturday in the UFC 321 main event in Abu Dhabi. The heavyweight division has struggled recently because of Jones’ limited activity and reluctance to face Aspinall. However, Jones vacated the title in June, briefly retired, then announced a comeback planned for later this year.
As UFC returns to Abu Dhabi, here’s a breakdown of key storylines:
1. The spotlight is on Tom Aspinall. Despite his strong track record of eight stoppage wins in nine UFC bouts, Aspinall has never gone beyond two rounds and hasn’t experienced a five-round championship fight. His speed, power, and tendency to leave his chin exposed remain uncertain factors under pressure. Jon Jones often questioned Aspinall’s fighting skills and ticket-selling ability, casting doubt on his readiness. Favored to win, Aspinall must prove he’s worthy of the title and justify Jones’ criticism.
2. For Cyril Gane, this might be a last chance for the heavyweight crown. After an impressive start with a 10-0 record and winning the interim title in 2021, Gane has faced setbacks, including two title fight losses exposing his ground game weaknesses and injuries during recent bouts. A recent controversial decision win and a strong comeback win show Gane’s effort to improve. The French fighter must push Aspinall to his limits and demonstrate growth to seize this opportunity.
3. With Weili Zhang vacating the women’s strawweight title to move up and challenge Valentina Shevchenko, the division is wide open. The vacant title fight features Vilna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern in a rematch. Jandiroba is on a five-fight win streak and has defeated several top contenders, while Dern seeks consistency to live up to her early career promise. This matchup is crucial for the division’s future.
4. Umar Nurmagomedov’s recent loss to Merab Dvalishvili in a title fight showed his potential despite the defeat. With Dvalishvili dominating the bantamweight scene, Nurmagomedov is positioned to challenge again after recovering and aims to improve his stamina to compete effectively.
5. Alexander Volkov’s recent setback against Gane was controversial. UFC President Dana White acknowledged the judging error and arranged a fight for Volkov against Jairton Almeida, a strong Brazilian grappler. A win here could position Volkov for another title run, facing competition from rising stars like Alexander Pereira or the returning Jon Jones.
Fan Take: This UFC event marks a pivotal moment, especially in the heavyweight division where a fresh champion must now prove himself without the shadow of interim status. For fight fans, it promises exciting matchups that could reshape the landscape of multiple divisions, signaling new rivalries and the rise of emerging talent.
