Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited return to the UFC Octagon ended in bizarre and dispiriting fashion on Saturday, as his contest with Ciryl Gane was derailed by an eye poke.
In the very first round of Aspinall’s first defence of the undisputed heavyweight title, he was poked in both eyes at the same time, leading to a five-round pause in the action.
But after Aspinall was checked on by officials, it was deemed that the Briton could not continue, and the UFC 321 main event was declared a No Contest due to an “accidental foul”.
It was a deflating and unexpected ending in Abu Dhabi after so much hype, with Aspinall due to defend the undisputed belt after being elevated from interim champion this summer, following the retirement of Jon Jones – who held the official belt at the time.
Elsewhere tonight, Mackenzie Dern overcame Virna Jandiroba to win the vacant women’s strawweight title, and local favourite Umar Nurmagomedov beat Mario Bautista. Follow live updates and results below, as The Independent reports from Abu Dhabi.
UFC 321 live: Aspinall vs Gane
- Tom Aspinall sees UFC heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane end in heartbreaking no-contest
- Aspinall suffered a "knuckle-deep" eye-poke in the first round and could not continue
- Fight marked Briton’s first defence of undisputed belt, after he was elevated from interim champion
- Mackenzie Dern overcomes Virna Jandiroba to claim the vacant strawweight title
- Umar Nurmagomedov stakes claim for title rematch with win over Mario Bautista
- Alexander Volkov edges past Jailton Almeida and may face main event’s winner
UFC 321: Tom Aspinall suffers early eye-poke as main event with Ciryl Gane ends in gutting no-contest
10:00 , Will Castle
What Dana White had to say after UFC 321
09:00 , Will CastleFollowing the conclusion of UFC 321 and the no-contest main event, Dana White said: "I mean, I feel the way everybody feels. Great showing, s****y ending. I think that after the [Jon] Jones fight, a lot of people wrote Ciryl Gane off, he looked damn good tonight. Looked like we were in for a few rounds."
Will the UFC book a rematch?
"Yeah, total pain in the a***, but yes. I mean, they're both in shape – other than whatever is wrong with his eye. Both guys are not injured, so, as soon as possible."
Medical update on Aspinall?
"He's on his way to the hospital."
Is there a way to determine if an eye poke is intentional?
"Who the f*** knows? Who gives a s***? What are you going to do?"
The UFC trialled then ditched new gloves last year, based on eye-poke issues.
"No matter what you do with the gloves, it's going to do happen."
Khabib and Cormier get feisty
08:00 , Will CastleKhabib wrestled DC out of the Octagon 🤣
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 25, 2025
Watch #UFC321 NOW on TNT Sports Box Office ➡️ BUY NOW VIA LINK IN BIO pic.twitter.com/tR5gtLMHIR
UFC star Nathaniel Wood: ‘I blamed my opponent when my newborn daughter was in intensive care’
07:00 , Will Castle“I’m blaming this guy for putting my daughter in the intensive care unit.” No, these are not the deranged ramblings of a man disconnected from reality. This was how UFC fighter Nathaniel Wood got in the frame of mind to do his job when his newborn, with a hole in her heart, was fighting for her life.
Wood, who was victorious at UFC 321, speaks to Will Castle in an incredibly open exclusive interview:
UFC star Wood: ‘I blamed my opponent for my newborn daughter being in intensive care’
UFC 321 star Ludovit Klein overcomes gruesome broken ankle to beat Mateusz Rebecki
06:00 , Will CastleLudovit Klein overcame a broken ankle to beat Mateusz Rebecki on Saturday, earning an unlikely win at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
Fighting Rebecki in a lightweight preliminary fight, Klein looked sharper than his opponent in the striking exchanges and was defending the Pole’s takedown attempts well.
With that, Klein appeared to build a two-round lead heading into the third and final frame, but in that round, Rebecki took down the Slovak.
Klein, 30, turtled up and was forced to try to survive Rebecki’s ground and pound for the majority of the round, with the Pole also bleeding onto him from above – thanks to the earlier damage that Klein had dealt the 33-year-old.
Klein, to his credit, actually threw his own offence from below, but he was largely absorbing punches and elbows as he somehow made it to the final buzzer.
However, he could not stand upon the conclusion of the fight. And when the scorecards confirmed a majority-decision win for Klein (29-28, 28-27, 28-28), he was forced to celebrate while sat on a stool.
UFC 321 star overcomes gruesome broken ankle to secure unlikely win
How Tom Aspinall, the UFC’s nice guy, became the baddest man on the planet
05:00 , Alex Pattle“I f***ing stink,” Tom Aspinall warns me, raising his eyebrows as I tentatively approach the pristine, freshly-laid, black and white mats in his gym. There are graver warnings one could be issued by the UFC heavyweight champion – a status that comes with the moniker “The Baddest Man On The Planet”. But herein lies the great paradox around Aspinall: he is the baddest man on the planet – technically, the most-skilled hand-to-hand combatant on Earth – yet he is one of the nicest people you could encounter.
Things didn’t go to plan tonight, but if you need a reminder of Aspinall’s character, Alex Pattle has you covered with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into his regiment:
How Tom Aspinall, the UFC’s nice guy, became the baddest man on the planet
UFC 321 bonuses revealed
04:00 , Will CastleThe prelims went hard.
THESE TWO ALWAYS BRING THE FIGHT 😎
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
Ludovit Klein & Mateusz Rebecki each get a FOTN bonus from #UFC321
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/v6BkJo5MK2
A couple crazy finishes tonight 😮💨
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
Quillan Salkilld & Valter Walker take home a #UFC321 POTN bonus!
[ B2YB @PrimeHydrate ] pic.twitter.com/2TX4RlmYrI
Mackenzie Dern celebrates title win with daughter in special moment
03:30 , Will CastleIt wasn’t all doom and gloom tonight!
Mackenzie Dern has done it and this as about as special as it gets ❤️
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 25, 2025
Watch #UFC321 LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office from 7 PM ➡️ BUY NOW VIA LINK IN BIO pic.twitter.com/eiOJ1A7jXU
Elsewhere on the UFC 321 main card
03:00 , Will Castle
Ciryl Gane apologises as main event lies in tatters
02:30 , Will CastleCiryl Gane: "I'm very sorry about that, for the crowd, for the fans, for everybody. Sorry for Tom Aspinall, sorry for myself." #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/D7tkMvkW3F
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 25, 2025
Tom Aspinall's furious post-fight interview
02:00 , Will CastleTom Aspinall speaks to Daniel Cornier after his fight with Ciryl Gane is declared a no contest.#UFC321 pic.twitter.com/R9k6bdgrVJ
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 25, 2025
The result nobody wanted
01:40 , Will Castle
How far could Ciryl Gane have taken Tom Aspinall?
01:20 , Will CastleCiryl Gane bossed that first round. His jab was getting through and he was hurting Tom Aspinall - something that was evident when the champ gave a wry “fair enough” smile after being caught.
We know how good Aspinall is and it wasn’t like he was on his way to losing after the first four-and-a-half minutes. But for the first time ever in his UFC career (apart from the Curtis Blaydes freak injury), it wasn’t clear that he was winning.
A true shame we didn’t get to see how this one played out.
Tom Aspinall bloodied by Ciryl Gane inside five minutes
01:00 , Will Castle
Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane ruined by first-round eye-poke
00:40 , Will Castle
Jon Jones reacts to UFC 321 main event by calling out Alex Pereira
00:29 , Will CastleAlex, I’d be down to bring the highest skill level to the White House. I appreciate the respect you showed, let’s dance.
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) October 25, 2025
Extent of Tom Aspinall eye-poke
00:20 , Will CastleThink Tom Aspinall was exaggerating? Think again. That really was “knuckle-deep”...
My goodness Ciryl Gane really dug his fingers deep in Tom Aspinall's eyes.
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) October 25, 2025
What the .......#UFC321 pic.twitter.com/L3CiIIIFCI
UFC 321 results in full
00:00 , Will Castle*(C) denotes champion
Tom Aspinall (C) vs. Ciryl Gane ends in no contest after unintentional eye poke
Mackenzie Dern (C) def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Mario Bautista via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alexander Volkov def. Jailton Almeida via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Azamat Murzakanov def. Aleksandar Rakic via first-round TKO (punches)
Quillan Salkilld def. Nasrat Haqparast via first-round knockout (head kick)
Ikram Aliskerov def. Jun Yong Park via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ludovit Klein def. Mateusz Rebecki via majority decision (29-28, 28-27, 28-28)
Valter Walker def. Louie Sutherland via first-round submission (heel hook)
Nathaniel Wood def. Jose Delgado via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Chris Barnett via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Mitch Raposo def Azat Maksum via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Mizuki def. Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
UFC eye poke rule explained after Tom Aspinall’s UFC 321 fight is ruined
23:45 , Alex Pattle in Abu DhabiWondering why Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane ended in a no-contest rather than a DQ or Gane win?
Our man on the ground Alex Pattle explains the rules:
UFC eye poke rule explained after Tom Aspinall’s UFC 321 fight is ruined
Tom Aspinall's first undisputed title defence ends in dispiriting no-contest
23:30 , Will Castle
Ciryl Gane distraught after accidental eye-poke
23:15 , Will CastleNot many make it out the first round with Tom Aspinall, but Ciryl Gane was very much on course to doing so. He was fighting so well. Heartbreak all round.
Ciryl Gane: 'I'm not going to say he's a liar'
23:01 , Will Castle"I think I started very well, defending a takedown and touching him. We saw some blood on his nose. It was a really great first round,” Gane said.
"I really wanted to continue the fight. I was at first angry. After I was disappointed, sad, and after that... apologetic for the people.
"I know what it is to get an eye poke, because I got one against Derrick Lewis and I was seeing two Derrick Lewis. So, I'm not gonna say, 'Yeah, he's a liar.'"
Tom Aspinall retains his UFC heavyweight champion
22:54 , Will CastleNot the “And Still!” any of us were hoping for.
A no-contest means Tom Aspinall retains his UFC heavyweight title. I doubt that will act as any saving grace for the champ.
Dana White: 'I can't make anyone fight'
22:50 , Will Castle"I can't make anyone fight,” White said. “Only Tom knows if he could see, if he couldn't – if he could fight, if he couldn't."
Dana White speaks on the problem of eye-pokes
22:49 , Will CastleEye-pokes are a problem in MMA. They always have been, and Dana White thinks they always will be.
The UFC trialled then ditched new gloves last year, based on eye-poke issues.
"No matter what you do with the gloves, it's going to happen,” White said.
Asked if there was any way of telling is an eye-poke was intentional, White snapped: "Who the f*** knows? Who gives a s***? What are you gonna do?"
Dana White confirms UFC WILL book rematch
22:46 , Will CastleWhen asked if he the UFC will book a rematch, he replied: “Yeah, total pain in the a***, but yes.
"Yeah, I mean, they're both in shape – other than whatever is wrong with his eye. Both guys are not injured, so, as soon as possible."
Dana White reacts to ruined UFC 321 main event
22:44 , Will Castle"I mean, I feel the way everybody feels,” he said. “Great showing, s****y ending.
“I think that after the [Jon] Jones fight, a lot of people wrote Ciryl Gane off, he looked damn good tonight. Looked like we were in for a few rounds.”
Dana White confirms Tom Aspinall is on his way to hospital
22:43 , Will CastleDana White has provided a medical update on Tom Aspinall.
"He's on his way to the hospital,” the UFC president said.
How Abu Dhabi reacted to collapse of main event
22:42 , Will CastleBoos and more boos. An outcome that nobody wanted, it’s not what the two fighters deserve.
Due to an accidental foul this fight has been declared a no contest. #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/geB3tGevL8
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
Report: Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited UFC 321 return derailed by Ciryl Gane eye poke in first round
22:30 , Alex Pattle in Abu DhabiTom Aspinall’s long-awaited return to the UFC Octagon ended in bizarre and dispiriting fashion on Saturday, as his contest with Ciryl Gane was derailed by an eye poke.
In the very first round of Aspinall’s first defence of the undisputed heavyweight title, he was poked in both eyes at the same time, leading to a five-round pause in the action.
But after Aspinall was checked on by officials, it was deemed that the Briton could not continue, and the UFC 321 main event was declared a No Contest due to an “accidental foul”.
Read Alex Pattle’s full report from Abu Dhabi:
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Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited UFC 321 return derailed by Ciryl Gane eye poke
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:25 , Will CastleWe’re struggling to comprehend what just happened. So painfully deflating. Gutted for all involved.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:13 , Will CastleThis isn’t the first time that Tom Aspinall has fallen victim to a freak accident in the cage.
Against Curtis Blaydes back in July 2022, Aspinall suffered a catastrophic knee injury when throwing an early leg kick, leading to the end of the fight and his first UFC loss.
This one will hurt even more. Having only fought a solitary minute in the last two years, Aspinall’s first fight as undisputed heavyweight champion is thrown out.
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UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:04 , Will CastleThe official result.
Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane declared first-round no contest (accidental foul, 4:35)
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:01 , Will CastleCiryl Gane has apologised for the way the main event has turned out.
“I’m very sorry about this, for the crowd, for Tom Aspinall, for myself,” Gane says.
“This is the sport.”
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
22:00 , Will Castle“This is bulls***. The fight was just getting going. Look at this, a double eyepoke!”
Tom Aspinall is raging.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:59 , Will CastleTom Aspinall is not mincing words with the crowd, who are relentlessly booing the outcome of the main event.
“I just got poked knuckled-deep in the eyeball,” he said. “What the f***, why are you booing? What am I supposed to do about it? I didn’t do the poke, I can’t see!”
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:55 , Will CastleAn unintentional foul means this fight ends as a no contest.
Ciryl Gane is absolutely heartbroken. He was fighting a fantastic first round.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:54 , Will CastleWAVED OFF!
Aspinall couldn’t open his eye after four minutes. Absolutely gutting. It’ll be a no contest.
'Restlessness in the arena'
21:53 , Alex Pattle in Abu DhabiHere’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“Restlessness in the arena, as you'd expect, but also genuine concern that Aspinall may not be able to continue. His media manager and a family friend are sat nearby. Charlie Gibson – Tom's media man – looks anxious. Family friend Frank more so by the minute.”
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:53 , Will CastleRound one
Aspinall has five minutes to recover - but he keeps saying he can’t see. The doctor is coming into the cage. This could well be called off.
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:52 , Will CastleRound one
If history has taught us anything, this won’t last long.
Aspinall goes for the body kick, Gane responds with the oblique. Aspinall presses forward with the one-two before landing a big left hand. He’s so damn quick!
After ducking a massive left hook from Gane, the champ goes for a first takedown, well defended by Gane. Aspinall then gets through partially with a headkick but Gane responds with a quick jab.
Aspinall, controlling the centre, backs Gane up with a jab. “Tommy Aspinall” chants ring around the Etihad Arena from the British contingent.
This is by no means one-sided. Gane is finding success with the inside leg kick before catching Aspinall with a left. The Brit smiles but is taking damage - jabs keep getting through from the Frenchman and his nose has been busted open.
There’s now a stoppage after Gane’s fingers scraped down not one but both eyes of Aspinall. He’s shaking his head. His eyes look in really bad shape...
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:45 , Will CastleBruce Buffer has done his lung-bursting intros, the fighters touch gloves... AND WE ARE UNDERWAY!
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:42 , Will CastleMy heart is beating, the adrenaline is flowing... God knows what the two behemoths in the cage are feeling.
Tom Aspinall. Ciryl Gane. The undisputed UFC heavyweight championship. It’s TIMEEEEEEE!
UFC 321 live: Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane
21:40 , Will CastleCiryl Gane looks relaxed - so relaxed he forgot his groin protector!
While his team scramble for that, here comes the champ!
Tom Aspinall walks into the Abu Dhabi cauldron to Oasis anthem Supersonic... goosebumps.
It’s remixed with Move On Up, to which Gane is dancing to.
'A penny for Gane's thoughts'
21:35 , Alex Pattle in Abu DhabiHere’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“More boos as Gane makes his walk. He's stony-faced. How's he feeling inside? A penny for his thoughts...
“He holds out his hands as if to welcome the boos, but his expression remains unchanged.”
'Loud boos for Ciryl Gane and Jon Jones'
21:34 , Alex Pattle in Abu DhabiHere’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“LOUD boos when the video package for tonight's main event shows Ciryl Gane. There were also boos at the very start, when the footage showed Dana White mentioning Jon Jones. As you might have expected, though, great cheers for the Tom Aspinall clips!”
MAIN EVENT TIME!
21:33 , Will CastleLadies and gentlemen, it’s time for what we’ve all been waiting for.
The UFC heavyweight champion of the world, Atherton’s own Tom Aspinall, defends his undisputed title for the first time against French goliath Ciryl Gane.
Aspinall waited so long for that bout with Jon Jones. It never came, with the supposed ‘greatest of all time’ retiring before stepping into the ring with what was the biggest threat to his legacy.
The Brit has now moved on. His new goal? To embark on reign of terror over heavyweight MMA.
Gane is his first challenger as undisputed champion. And it’s NEXT!
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
21:25 , Will CastleMackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decisions (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Anddddd newwwwwww!
Dern drops to her knees in tears as she’s crowned the new strawweight champion of the world.
She’s then joined by her daughter in the Octagon, who holds the belt. Dern has never lost in front of her. Beautiful scenes.
“It feels amazing, I can’t believe it,” she tells Daniel Cormier.
Jon Anik says the broadcast team were holding back tears.
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
21:23 , Will CastleRound five
Neither corner is sure whether victory is in the bag as of yet. A big final 300 seconds coming up.
Dern knocks Jandiroba back with a right but Jandiroba does really well to catch her opponent on the spin, utilising the level change to get her to the ground.
She doesn’t do much with the takedown but swiftly gets the underhook in when back on the feet.
After clinching on the cage, there’s a moment of separation where Dern can land a few sharp shots. But yet again, Jandiroba shoots and scores with the takedown, allowing her more control time that could prove pivotal on the scorecards.
That said, Dern is still doing the majority of the damage, even when underneath Jandiroba. It’s why Jandiroba wants to let Dern up to her feet so she can land more takedowns in an attempt to sway the judges.
Dern eventually obliges, with the fight moving to the feet for the final minute. Dern catches Jandiroba with a hammerfist before dodging a spinning backfist and getting a last-second takedown, finishing the fight on top as she laid in ground and pound.
This one will be decided by the judges...
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
21:16 , Will CastleRound four
Into the championship rounds!
Dern starts well on the feet, connecting with a nice right before returning to the leg and body kicks, something she hasn’t really utilised since the fights early stages.
With a broadened arsenal, Dern is piecing Jandiroba up - but in a questionable move, she goes for the double leg by the fence. A period in the clinch gives Jandiroba a bit of a reprieve and when they separate, she lands a couple of big shots of her own.
Dern still looks the fresher of the two but Jandiroba, after landing another takedown, connects with a sharp one-two. Dern responds by going for a takedown of her own and ends the round on top.
We go to a final round!
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
21:10 , Will CastleRound three
A body kick echoes around the arena from Jandiroba as she piles onto her opponent, getting Dern to the ground inside the first 30 seconds, though it seemed like Dern also caught the number one ranked bantamweight with a jab in the altercation.
Jandiroba opts to return to the feet as the pair end up clinching by the fence. Dern also had a black eye forming under her right eye, a result of the improved striking from Jandiroba over the past five or so minutes.
Jandiroba gets Dern down again. This is the most Dern has ever been taken down in the UFC. Jandiroba has top control but it’s Dern landing the strikes, leading to Jandiroba to respond with another couple of hammerfists.
Dern stays on the ground as Jandiroba gets up, trying to catch her with an up-kick to no avail. Jandiroba then tries to greet her with another left hook, just as she did at the end of the second, but Dern dodges.
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
21:04 , Will CastleRound two
Jandiroba looking a lot better on the feet, landing a big overhand that sends something flying off of Dern’s head. Looks like it was a hair clip, picked up by Marc Goddard.
After chipping away at her opponent, she gets her to the mat and starts to land some decent ground and pound. Dern shows good urgency to get back to her feet and go on the offensive.
Dern is finding success with the jab, which has caused a huge welt to form under Jandiroba’s eye. She’s taken down again but does really well to scramble into a potential submission attempt, before thudding an elbow off her skull.
Jandiroba, looking for half mount, is responding with heavy hammerfists. She gets back to the feet for the final few seconds, catching Dern with a cheeky left as she followed suit.
'British fans in full voice for Tommy Aspinall'
20:59 , Alex Pattle in Abu DhabiHere’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“Not for the first time tonight, a group of British fans are singing "Tommy Aspinall" to the tune of "Give It Up" by KC & The Sunshine Band. It's starting to catch on in other parts of the arena, too. We're around 30 minutes from the Briton defending his undisputed title for the first time, if the co-main goes the distance.”
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
20:58 , Will CastleRound one
We’re locked in for five rounds for the vacant strawweight title - and this one is UNDERWAY!
Couple of nice sharp leg kicks to get things started from Dern, showing her speed on the feet to land a number of early strikes.
Big knee in the clinch forces a separation before another quick right lands flush on Jandiroba’s cheek. The Brazilian shoots for a takedown, well defended by Dern who marks it with another landed punch.
With Dern having found her range early, Jandiroba finally gets it to the ground but can’t do much with it before Dern can get back to her feet.
Knowing she needs to do something when on the mat, Jandiroba makes things scrappy following her second takedown, landing a few short shots. Dern is responding in the same manner, though, and looks to be doing more damage.
The round ends with both fighters on their feet next to the fence.
UFC 321 live: Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba 2
20:45 , Will CastleWe are onto the title fights, kicking off with tonight’s co-main event!
It’s Mackenzie Dern against Virna Jandiroba for the vacant strawweight championship, previously held by Zhang Weili.
This one looks like it could very much be won or lost on the ground. Ring walks are underway...
Alistair Overeem tells The Independent his main event prediction
20:42 , Will CastleFormer UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem has told our man on the ground Alex Pattle how he thinks the main event will go!
"I think Aspinall, but I don't know,” he said. “It really could go either way. I need to look them in the face [to tell], I need to look them in the face..."
'Many fans rushing to the cordon'
20:39 , Alex Pattle in Abu DhabiHere’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“Many fans who are in the first few rows are rushing to the cordon around the ringside area, desperate to get a piece of Umar when he walks out of the cage in a few minutes.
“A rousing reaction upon the announcement that Nurmagomedov has won, but an even-greater cheer as Khabib joins his cousin in the centre of the ring.
“Umar is struggling to talk for all of his deep breathing! He expended all of his energy in maintaining a high pace for 15 minutes, but it paid off.”
UFC 321 live: Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista
20:34 , Will CastleUmar Nurmagomedov def. Mario Bautista via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
All three rounds go to Umar, who will hope to have earned a title rematch.
He’s joined by cousin and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib in the cage for his post-fight interview!
“Believe me, I will be ready 100 times better than today. I will come to take this belt, it doesn’t matter who it’s going to be.”
A message sent to Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan!
UFC 321 live: Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista
20:32 , Will CastleRound three
The third starts as the second finished: on the feet. Bautista has Umar retreating to the cage with a big shot but he’s unable to land anything too game-changing, with Umar resisting the press before catching him with a takedown.
On the ground, it’s Umar who’s advancing. He gets Bautista near the cage before the American gets back to his feet, only to get taken to the mat once more.
Umar looks to lock in the guillotine and while Bautista shows great heart to ensure he doesn’t get into a positioned where he could get finished, the Dagestani is simply relentless.
Bautista tries running away amid a brief moment of separation, but Umar catches him. The final 15 seconds see the airspace created between the two, but back on the feet, a late Hail Mary comes to nothing for the American.
We go to the scorecards...
'A lot of appreciation for Bautista'
20:27 , Alex Pattle in Abu DhabiHere’s Alex Pattle inside the Etihad Arena:
“This is obviously a pro-Nurmagomedov crowd, but there's been a lot of appreciation from the stands whenever Bautista has weathered a grappling storm and made it back to his feet. The largely grappling-centric affair won't be for everyone, but it's been entertaining and highly technical. Bautista doing well to escape in some of those scrambles; sweat is visibly gleaning on the fighters' bodies, they're both surely hard to keep ahold of in the wrestling.”
UFC 321 live: Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista
20:26 , Will CastleRound two
Bautista’s corner tells him to start striking so not to play to Umar’s strengths. He obliges and within the first 30 seconds of the second round lands a HUGE knee that knocks the Dagestani down!
Umar gets back to his feet before desperately shooting for a takedown. He fails with the first attempt but succeeds with the second, locking in the body triangle in the centre of the Octagon.
Bautista keeps moving and manages to get back to his feet before wonderfully switching the position, leading to separation. This second round has been incredibly fast-paced so far!
Bautista looks to throw down with his opponent again before shooting for the takedown himself. Umar defends and manages to get Bautista to the mat himself. He yet again gets the back but once more, Bautista does brilliantly to escape.
We end the round with both men striking, with Bautista again rocking Umar with a hook to leave an exclamation mark on the second.
For me, that’s one round a piece.
UFC 321 live: Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista
20:19 , Will CastleRound one
And we’re off!
Bautista throws the body kick early and immediately gets caught with the double underhook. Umar slams Bautista to the ground, but this is also the American’s wheelhouse - and he tries locking in a toe lock!
Umar does exceptionally well to escape the rarely-seen hold before scrambling to get into half mount. He’s chipping away with ground and pound but Bautista is responding by applying pressure on the shoulder.
Umar prevents Bautista from building height by the cage and lands a big elbow before getting the back. Umar works with both hooks to work a body triangle as the first round enters its final minute.
He maintains the position, clipping Bautista with punches from behind to see out the round, which he no doubt would have won.
UFC 321 live: Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista
20:06 , Alex PattleNext up, we drop down to the bantamweight division, where Umar Nurmagomedov aims to bounce back from his title-fight loss to Merab Dvalishvili.
Nurmagomedov – a cousin of UFC legend Khabib – failed to dethrone Merab in January, and now he takes on Mario Bautista.
This one could be a No 1 contender’s bout...
UFC 321 live: Alexander Volkov def. Jailton Almeida
20:01 , Alex PattleAlexander Volkov def. Jailton Almeida via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Volkov gets it done! On the bottom for most of the bout, but defending well and landing strikes from below.
I’m okay with that! The UFC might have wanted Almeida to win, for a fresh contender, but Volkov may yet be next for the winner of tonight’s main event...
Volkov calls for the title shot. “This fight was not so good, but I won, so...”
UFC 321 live: Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida
19:56 , Alex PattleRound three
It’s likely 19-19 after two rounds. A title shot could well be up for grabs in this final frame; who can take it?? Let’s find out...
Volkov backs up Almeida and throws a couple of straight shots, and Almeida tries a single-leg... denied! Volkov tries one of his own! No luck, but he throws some knees in the resulting clinch.
Almeida, meanwhile, favours uppercuts. Elbow by Volkov. Almeida then finishes a double-leg by turning the corner, after some good initial defence by Volkov!
Volkov has closed guard and – as ever in this fight – is throwing elbows and hammer fists from the bottom.
A scramble ensues, and Volkov tries a triangle choke! No joy, and that always seemed a long shot... He gets half-guard instead. Ninety seconds to go.
Almeida takes the back, but Volkov is defending the body triangle and hooks well. Back to half-guard. Goddard stands the fighters up again!!
Thirty seconds to go, and Almeida immediately shoots a double. Success! Time is up, and we’ll go to the scorecards.
UFC 321 live: Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida
19:51 , Alex PattleRound two
As in round one, Almeida gets an early takedown and is on top in half-guard for a while, but again he’s warned to work.
Also like in the first round, Volkov throws some elbows from beneath the Brazilian. Now Almeida moves into side control and then takes the back as Volkov tries to twist away...
He’s got one hook in, but Volkov keeps tucked up and, after a transition, the pair end up back in half-guard – with Almeida above.
And now Almeida is in closed guard. As you might expect, Volkov throws more elbows from the bottom.
This time, referee Goddard does stand the pair up, but as the action resumes, Almeida immediately lands a double-leg takedown.
One minute to go. Volkov has half-guard yet again. He targets a Kimura... Almeida is grabbing his other arm in defence... and he makes it to the buzzer!
UFC 321 live: Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida
19:44 , Alex PattleRound one
Almeida asks for a handshake, but no dice from Volkov. Almeida shoots for a single-leg takedown AT ONCE – no surprises there – and he lands it.
Volkov is trying to keep him at bay with half-guard. Nice elbow by the Russian from the bottom, but he’s warned about targeting the back of Almeida’s head after the Brazilian turns his face away.
Some unrest in the crowd, as Almeida struggles to advance the position. He’s got Volkov’s legs wrapped up now and is grinding his shoulder onto the kickboxer’s face. Referee Marc Goddard warns Almeida to do more work.
Volkov manages to get a sweep! Great work. He’s now got Almeida sat in front of him in butterfly guard. Almeida tries a sweep but fails.
Volkov with elbows from above. Almeida seeks deep half-guard.
Volkov ends the round on top and might have stolen it with those late elbows! Both men had long periods of control, so...
UFC 321 live: Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov
19:24 , Alex PattleRound one
Murzakanov stands southpaw; Rakic is orthodox. Low kicks from Rakic early on. Lots of jab feints, too. He blocks a big overhand from Murzakanov; that was easy for Rakic to see coming.
Hard low kick by Rakic. Now it’s Murzakanov who blocks an overhand. Rakic then grabs a double-leg and walks the Russian to the cage.
Murzakanov thwarts the takedown, and he gets off some better offence as the 205lbers move into space. Now Rakic shoots a single-leg, which leads to a brief scramble on the mat.
But both men pop up, and Murzakanov jabs to the body – not for the first time tonight.
Oh! Out of nowhere, Murzakanov stops Rakic!! What?! He times a short jab perfectly as Rakic steps in, and the Austrian folds.
The ref was quick to step in; only one follow-up shot for Murzakanov.
Azamat Murzakanov def. Aleksandar Rakic via first-round TKO (jab, 3:11)
UFC 321 live: Aspinall and Gane arrive at Etihad Arena
19:11 , Alex PattleHow must these two men be feeling?
The Independent was lucky to spend time around Tom and his team this week, and the champion seemed anxious to get in the cage – not nervous, just very dialled in and keen to get the weekdays out of the way.
“It’s just another fight,” his father Andy, who is also Tom’s head coach, said time and again – as he always does.
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
UFC 321 live: Main card incoming
18:46 , Alex PattleNext, it’s the main card. Here’s how it looks:
Subject to change; ‘C’ denotes champion
Tom Aspinall (C) vs Ciryl Gane (heavyweight title)
Virna Jandiroba vs Mackenzie Dern 2 (vacant women’s strawweight title)
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida (heavyweight)
Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov (light-heavyweight)
UFC 321 live: Nasrat Haqparast vs Quillan Salkilld
18:41 , Alex PattleRound one
Haqparast stands southpaw; Salkilld is orthodox. The Aussie stabs a front kick to the body immediately.
More kicks from him, then an elbow to meet Haqparast as the Afghan – who fights out of Morocco now – steps in.
Haqparast tries to stay on the front foot, but it’s hard with Salkilld landing these body kicks. And credit to Salkilld for standing his ground to land those kicks.
OH, MY GOD! One of the craziest knockouts you will ever seen. Haqparast is put out cold with a head kick, and he is facedown on the mat, his leg twitching.
That was absolutely wild. The way Haqparast fell...
He’s still being treated, almost five minutes on. He still seems to be unconscious...
But applause rings out as he wakes up! Thank goodness.
Quillan Salkilld def. Nasrat Haqparast via first-round KO (head kick, 2:30)
AS CLEAN OF A HEAD KICK YOU'LL SEE 😮💨
— UFC (@ufc) October 25, 2025
What a KO from Quillan Salkilld! #UFC321 pic.twitter.com/HT16O13qf2
UFC 321 live: Ikram Aliskerov vs Junyong Park
18:29 , Alex PattleAliskerov is warned by UFC legend Khabib, in his corner: “If you show him that you’re tired, he’s going to finish you. Just do whatever you have to do, but do not show him that you’re tired.”
Ominous?
Round three
Park closes distance and lands a one-two and uppercut, before grappling. He should stick to striking right now, I would say; he’s having more success in that realm.
Now he jabs to the body of Aliskerov, who grabs a body lock. The Russian eventually hauls Park to the mat, but he gets too high up the Korean’s back while trying to take it, and Park gets free.
Another takedown by Aliskerov, however, and he has the back properly this time – secured by a body triangle.
Park turns down to face the mat and is almost flattened out! Aliskerov alternates between a rear naked choke attempt and punches... He decides on a face crank, but time runs out!
But no matter, the scorecards arrive shortly thereafter, and...
Ikram Aliskerov def. Junyong Park via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC 321 live: Ludovit Klein def. Mateusz Rebecki
18:00 , Alex PattleLudovit Klein def. Mateusz Rebecki via majority decision (29-28, 28-27, 28-28)
What a bizarre scene! Klein, who didn’t stand at the final buzzer as he motioned to an ankle injury, is sat on a stool as the result is read aloud...
But it goes his way!
“I broke my ankle in the third round,” he tells UFC legend Daniel Cormier in the Octagon.
Well done to him for surviving to the end of the fight and getting the W!
A replay shows he broke his ankle during a takedown by Rebecki! The foot was facing in the wrong direction, pretty much!
He’s now escorted away on a stretcher.
UFC 321 star overcomes gruesome broken ankle to secure unlikely win
UFC 321 live: Ludovit Klein vs Mateusz Rebecki
17:57 , Alex PattleRound three
Final round. Rebecki, in all fairness, is getting after Klein and trying to get the finish that he surely needs. He gets double underhooks with Klein backed against the fence, and he trips him to the mat!
Rebecki soon has Klein turtled up and is landing hard ground and pound! Surely he can’t get the stoppage out of nowhere?!
Has Klein just tired at the worst moment? He tries to get half-guard and keep Rebecki at bay, even landing an elbow from the bottom, but mainly trying to keep Rebecki close to him – too close to do damage.
But Klein lands an elbow of his own and punches to the body and head. Blood is leaking on the mat; I actually think it’s Rebecki’s, but he’s well on top right now!
Massive elbows from Rebecki, and the ref is hovering over the lightweights! Forty seconds left on the clock...
Klein survives to the final buzzer, but what a turnaround by Rebecki! A 10-8 round? Maybe a draw to be announced in a couple of minutes??
UFC 321 live: Ludovit Klein vs Mateusz Rebecki
17:50 , Alex PattleRound two
Klein with more counter combinations early in round two, while Rebecki is opting for hard, single shots.
Oh! A right hook at the end of a combo has Rebecki stumbling again! But once more, he manages to compose himself quickly, to his credit.
More solid takedown defence by Klein as Rebecki tries a charge double; Klein gets his hips back and finds an overhook. Rebecki adjusts to a single-leg and does get Klein down, but not for long.
Rebecki with a left hook to the body then a right to the head. He has a nasty cut under his left eye, but he lands another right hook upstairs.
Clean southpaw cross by Klein, a thick smack of leather echoing around the arena here in Abu Dhabi.
UFC 321 live: Ludovit Klein vs Mateusz Rebecki
17:44 , Alex PattleRound one
Both men stand southpaw. Rebecki presses forward early, but Klein looks sharp as he throws counters.
Rebecki’s nose already looks damaged, and a left hand has him on wobbly legs!
Rebecki recovers and has Klein backed up to the fence, where Rebecki tries a double-leg... but is intercepted by a hard knee!
He stays the course, but Klein defends the takedown attempt well.
Back into the open, where Rebecki is moving awkwardly when he tries to blitz Klein.
UFC 321 live: Valter Walker vs Louie Sutherland
17:18 , Alex PattleRound one
Both men stand orthodox. Walker with low kicks in the early moments, Sutherland feinting like he’ll hit the body. He hammers a hardddd leg kick of his own into the calf of Walker.
Walker shoots for a take down and topples Sutherland against the fence, but the Briton is staying calm, but Walker looks for a signature heel hook, dropping to his back to try to finish it...
And Sutherland taps! Wow, FOUR heel-hook submission wins in a row for Brazil’s Walker!
Valter Walker def. Louie Sutherland via first-round submission (heel hook, 1:24)
UFC 321 early prelim results
17:01 , Alex PattleMizuki def. Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Mitch Raposo def. Azat Maksum via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Chris Barnett via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
Nathaniel Wood def. Jose Miguel Delgado via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
A deducted point for Maksum after a fence grab in his bout (he was also fined for missing weight this week!). Decisive refereeing in that moment after a trio of poor calls by officials at UFC Vancouver last week.
Abdelwahab securing a few 10-8 scorecards in his win, which he earned with a dominant wrestling display.
And Wood gutting out a tough win in a back-and-forth fight, after some real adversity! Here’s our own interview with Wood this week, in which he was very open:
UFC star Wood: ‘I blamed my opponent for my newborn daughter being in intensive care’
How Jon Jones made Aspinall vs Gane the highest-pressure fight in the UFC
16:33 , Alex PattleWhat’s the French for “third time’s the charm”? For full transparency, this is a rhetorical question that will be answered in the final paragraph of this article, but the saying must have been uttered to Ciryl Gane at least once in the build-up to UFC 321.
The thing Gane pines for most in his sporting life will, for the third time, be within his grasp tonight, kept somewhere safe inside Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena: the undisputed heavyweight title.
Gane, now 35, knows what it is like to feel the embrace of the interim belt, and to trace its gold, embossed lettering with the 4oz gloves that serve as every UFC fighter’s greatest negotiation tool.
Yet the Frenchman failed to unify his title with Francis Ngannou’s official version in 2022, failed to withstand Jon Jones with the vacant undisputed belt on the line in 2023, and tonight, he will share the cage with a man who uses those leathery negotiation tools like no one else can.
Read our UFC 321 main-event preview:
How Jon Jones made Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane the highest-pressure fight in the UFC
Exclusive interview: How Aspinall became the baddest man on the planet
16:22 , Alex PattleHere’s our exclusive interview with Tom Aspinall, who was gracious in letting us spend the day with him and his team, at their gym and at Aspinall’s family home.
Here’s how the nicest guy in MMA became the baddest man on the planet, as told by Tom and those around him:
How Tom Aspinall, the UFC’s nice guy, became the baddest man on the planet
Aspinall vs Gane – UFC 321 live: Welcome!
14:59 , Alex PattleBritain’s Tom Aspinall competes in a crucial clash tonight, defending the UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi.
In the main event of UFC 321, Aspinall makes his first defence of the undisputed belt, having been elevated from interim champion upon Jon Jones’s retirement this summer.
Aspinall, 32, is fighting for the first time since July 2024, when he made the rare decision to defend the interim title during Jones’s absence from the cage. On that night in Manchester, the Wigan heavyweight stopped Curtis Blaydes in barely a minute – replicating the usual destruction he produces when he enters the Octagon.
Now he takes on France’s Gane, who is surely in the last-chance saloon, having previously failed to win the undisputed belt on two occasions. Gane, a former interim champion, lost undisputed title fights with Francis Ngannou in 2022 and Jones in 2023, but Aspinall insists he will not take the 35-year-old lightly.
Also tonight, Mackenzie Dern vies with Virna Jandiroba for the vacant women’s strawweight title, and local favourite Umar Nurmagomedov takes on Mario Bautista. Follow live updates and results right here, as The Independent reports from Abu Dhabi.
