The annual October trip for the Octagon to Abu Dhabi for a major pay-per-view event is upon us as two title fights headline UFC 321 at the Etihad Arena.
The main event sees UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall making his first title defense since being named the undisputed champion as he defends against former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Ciryl Gane. Aspinall had two title wins in interim titles, and has won three straight fights overall. Gane gets another chance at becoming champion on the heels of two straight wins.
The co-main event will see a new champion crowned at 115 pounds as Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern rematch for the vacant UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. The title became vacant after Zhang Weili decided to move to 125 pounds. Dern holds a win over Jandiroba, coming in December 2020.
The rest of the main card features fights all between ranked fighters as Umar Nurmagomedov battles Mario Bautista in a bantamweight bout; Alexander Volkov squares off against Jailton Almeida in a potential title eliminator bout in the heavyweight division; and Aleksandar Rakic takes on Azamat Murzakanov in a light heavyweight tilt.
FX PRELIMS | 10 AM ET/7 AM PT
> Women’s Strawweights- Jaqueline Amorim (10-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Mizuki Inoue (15-6, 2-1 UFC)
Amorim rushing forward and both are landing early. Amorim lands a leg kick then a body kick. Inoue lands a right hand as Amorim is throwng kicks. Inoue controlling the range. Amorim scores a takedown. They scramble up and Amorim gets the back and drags it back down. Amorim is working for a choke and has it locked in at a weird angle, and Inoue is able to get out, though Amorim gets the full mount. Inoue is able to reverse and now is inside the guard of Amorim and landing. Inoue lands some big shots that hurt Amorim to end the round. 10-9 Inoue.
They trade to start the second. Amorim lands a right hand but is circling around. Amorim shoots for a takedown but Inoue sprawls. They clinch against the fence and Inoue is landing some short shots. Inoue gets a takedown and works from the half-guard. They get to their feet, but Amorim pulls guard and Inoue is back on top landing punches and elbows. Inoue postures up and lands as she gets back inside the guard of Amorim. Amorim looks for an arm but Inoue escapes and lands. 10-9 Inoue, 20-18 Inoue.
They trade and clinch up and Amorim lands some knees, but Inoue gets it back down to the mat. Inoue lands from the top before standing and Amorim is slow to get to her feet. They trade and a headbutt opens up a cut on Inoue. Inoue lands some body shots and Amorim looks for a takedown, but Inoue defends and ties up against the fence. Inoue lands some knees. Amorim falls to the mat and looks for a leg, but Inoue backs off, and Amorim is again slow to her feet. Inoue lands and Amorim shoots for a takedown, but Inoue defends. Inoue lands from the top. Inoue takes the back and lands as they get up. They are clinched against the fence and Inoue is landing. Inoue landing lots as they end it. 10-9 Inoue, 30-27 Inoue.
Fight Result- Mizuki Inoue def. Jaqueline Amorim by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
> Flyweights*- Azat Maksum (15-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. Mitch Raposo (9-3, 0-2 UFC)
*Maksum missed weight by three pounds
Raposo lands a big right hand. They trade punches as both are generally missing on their offense. Maksum lands a leg kick. Raposo lands a solid jab. Raposo puts some strikes together but they barely land. Maksum changes levels and scores a takedown. They get to their feet and Maksum gets it down for a moment, but they stand with Maksum on the back and landing some knees. Not much is happening as Maksum is just leaning on Raposo against the fence. Maksum lands as they break. Maksum lands a leg kick. 10-9 Maksum.
They trade and Maksum lands a leg kick. Raposo lands a solid combo and then lands an overhand right. Maksum fakes a takedown. They trade inside the pocket. Raposo lands again and ends with a right hand. Maksum lands a jab to the body and Raposo throws a combo that barely lands. Maksum shoots big for a takedown but Raposo slides away easily to defend. Raposo lands a combo. Maksum scores a takedown. Maksum is keeping Raposo down but not doing anything as Raposo gets up. 10-9 Raposo, 19-19.
Raposo throws a right hand, but Maksum ducks under and gets a brief takedown. They scramble up and Maksum has the back against the fence. Maksum is dropping down and trying to get it down and briefly did as Raposo scrambles right back up. Raposo is able to force a separation. Raposo lands a combo. Raposo lands a right hand. Maksum looks for a takedown, but Raposo defends. Maksum shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Raposo is defending and Maksum drops down, and Raposo is able to escape. They trade. Raposo lands a left hook. Maksum shoots for a takedown but Rapsoo defends and grabs the neck and gets on top. Maksum grabs the fence and uses it to reverse, but the referee calls timeout to take the position away and takes a point away from Maksum. Maksum shoots for a takedown but Raposo defends, and Raposo puts it against the fence. Maksum gets a brief takedown late, but Raposo gets right up. 10-8 Raposo, 29-27 Raposo.
Fight Result- Mitch Raposo def. Azat Maksum by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)
> Heavyweights- Hamdy Abdelwahab (4-1 1 NC, 1-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Chris Barnett (23-9, 2-3 UFC)
Abdelwahab lands a body kick and then scores a takedown. He lands from the top and Barnett gives up his back. Abdelwahab is landing lots of punches as Barnett gets up. Abdelwahab drags it back down. Abdelwahab with more right hands as Barnett gets to his feet, but Abdelwahab drags it down again. They get up and Abdelwahab gets it back down. Abdelwahab has the back and lands but Barnett scrambles up and they trade. Abdelwahab gets another takedown and has the back as Barnett is cut open around the ear. Abdelwahab with some big punches. Abdelwahab lands an elbow to the back of the head and Marc Goddard stops it and warns Abdelwahab as timeout is called. Abdelwahab has a point taken away. They get back going and Abdelwahab looks for a takedown, but Barnett defends and lands some knees. Abdelwahab lands a pair of elbows before they break. They trade clubbing right hands. Barnett lands a right hand. Abdelwahab lands some kicks and a right hand. 9-9 round due to the point deduction to Abdelwahab.
Barnett lands a right hand and they trade leg kicks with Barnett landing a few more. They trade and Abdelwahab gets a takedown and has back control. Abdelwahab with lots of punches from the back as Barnett gets to his feet. Abdelwahab grabs the body and takes it right back down. Abdelwahab with lots of shots on the ground as Barnett is just crawling around but not escaping. Both are exhausted. They get to their feet and Abdelwahab has the back before Barnett escapes with a full moon displaying. 10-9 Abdelwahab, 19-18 Abdelwahab.
Both miss on throwing punches. They trade leg kicks. Barnett with an inside leg kick. Abdelwahab lands a big right hand. Abdelwahab gets an easy takedown. Abdelwahab has the back and lands lots of punches. Barnett is trying to escape, but Abdelwahab keeps control on the mat. Abdelwahab lands but they are stood up by Goddard. Abdelwahab lands a leg kick and follows with a jab. They tie up against the fence and Abdelwahab lands a knee. Abdelwahab trips it back down to the mat. What a boring fight. 10-9 Abdelwahab, 29-27 Abdelwahab.
Fight Result- Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Chris Barnett by unanimous decision (29-26, 29-27, 29-27)
> Featherweights*- Nathaniel Wood (21-6, 9-3 UFC) vs. Jose Delgado (10-1, 2-0 UFC)
*Delgado missed weight by one pound
They trade kicks and Wood lands a combination. Wood with a jab as Delgado landed a low kick. Timeout is called, but Wood is quickly ready to go. Wood lands a leg kick and they trade combinations. Both are landing as Delgado comes forward. Delgado lands a high kick and the rocks Wood with a big combo. Delgado drops Wood with a spinning back fist and starts landing from the top. Delgado with some body shots from the top. He starts landing right hands. Wood tries to scramble out. Delgado has the back as they get to the fence and stand. Delgado lands an elbow as they break. They trade and Wood lands a right hand that hurts Delgado and knocks him down. Delgado gets up and they start trading wild shots. Delgado lands a right hand. 10-9 Delgado.
They trade and Wood lands a leg kick and Delgado counters with a right hand. Delgado lands another right hand and a knee. Wood lands a right hand. Wood pushes it against the fence with the body lock, and he gets a brief trip takedown, but Delgado gets right back up. They separate as Wood lands a left hand and a body kick. Delgado lands another groin kick and timeout is called again. Wood takes some moments to recover and they get back going. Wood lands a jab. Wood lands a combo and then lands a right hand. Wood with a quick combo. Wood lands a calf kick. 10-9 Wood, 19-19.
They trade to start the third and Delgado lands a high kick. Wood with a leg kick. Delgado lands a right hand. Wood with a leg kick as Delgado lands a combination. They trade punches inside the pocket. Wood with a right hand and Delgado lands a kick as Wood lands a left hand. Wood with a left hook. Delgado lands a high kick and Wood lands a right hand and a left hook. Wood lands some punches. Delgado shoots for a takedown but Wood sprawls. Delgado tries a spinning attack but Wood grabs the back and nearly drags it down, but Delgado escapes and ends up in control. Delgado lands an elbow as they stand and then lands an uppercut. They trade jabs. Wood lands a calf kick. Wood lands a right hand. Delgado lands a knee but Wood is able to score a takedown. Wood lands an elbow from top. Close fight. 10-9 Delgado, 29-28 Delgado.
Fight Result- Nathaniel Wood def. Jose Delgado by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Heavyweights- #15 Valter Walker (14-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Louie Sutherland (10-3, 0-0 UFC)
Walker lands a leg kick. Sutherland lands a leg kick of his own. They trade leg kicks. Sutherland lands a big right hand but Walker is able to score a takedown. Walker lands and then attacks the leg and locks in a heel hook and Sutherland taps! Walker with yet another finish with a heel hook.
Fight Result- Valter Walker def. Louie Sutherland by submission (heel hook) at 1:24 of Round 1
> Lightweights- Ludovit Klein (23-5-1, 7-3-1 UFC) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (20-3, 4-2 UFC)
They trade and Klein hurts Rebecki with a left hand. Klein lands a combination and Rebecki lands a counter left hand. Klein works the jab. Rebecki shoots in and Klein lands a knee, though Rebecki is still able to get the body lock. Rebecki has the leg but Klein is able to escape and they break to the center. Rebecki lands a front kick and Klein lands a left hand. Klein lands to the body as Rebecki rushed in. Klein lands a combination and then ends it with a head kick that Rebecki eats. Klein with a heavy leg kick. They trade left hands. Klein with a jab. 10-9 Klein.
They trade and Klein lands a combination. Rebecki lands a left hand. They trade big shots inside the pocket and Klein hurts Rebecki with a left hand. Rebecki quickly recovers and they both land again. Rebecki shoots for a takedown but Klein defends as Rebecki pushes it against the fence. Rebecki gets the takedown but Klein is able to get up quickly and Klein lands on the break. Klein lands a combination. Rebecki with a right hook. Rebecki is busted open badly. Klein hurts Rebecki with a right hook as Rebecki stumbles away but recovers. Klein with a nice combination ending with a head kick. They continue to trade. Klein lands a combination. 10-9 Klein, 20-18 Klein.
They trade as both land left hands and Klein defends a takedown attempt from Rebecki. Rebecki grabs the body and is able to score a takedown. Klein forces it up rather quickly though Rebecki has back control. They go back to the mat as Rebecki is landing lots of punches from the back. Klein looks a little hurt as Rebecki continues to land left hands from the top. Rebecki with a big elbow from the top and he continues to land left hands, mixing to the head and body. Klein lands an elbow from the bottom that opens Rebecki up and Rebecki is leaking blood badly. Rebecki still working and looks for the crucifix position. Klein is able to defend the position. Rebecki with heavy elbows from the top. There is blood everywhere. 10-9 Rebecki, 29-28 Klein.
Fight Result- Ludovit Klein def. Mateusz Rebecki by majority decision (29-28, 28-27, 28-28)
> Middleweights- Ikram Aliskerov (16-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Jun Yong Park (19-6, 9-3 UFC)
They trade leg kicks and Aliskerov lands a groin strike. Timeout is called but Park is quickly ready to go. Aliskerov with a jab to the body as Park lands a leg kick. Aliskerov lands a jab and Park lands a right hand. They trade punches. Aliskerov lands a high body kick. Park lands a combination. Aliskerov works the jab. Park with a left hook to the body followed by a right hand. Aliskerov continues to work the jab. Aliskerov lands a front kick and scores a takedown. They stand and Aliskerov lands a leg kick as they break. Aliskerov scores another takedown. They stand against the fence and break. 10-9 Aliskerov.
They trade and Park lands a nice overhand right. Park lands to the body and is pressuring, but Aliskerov is able to circle away. They clinch and Aliskerov lands a knee and slips, but Park unable to take advantage of it. Aliskerov lands a nice leg kick followed by a right hand. Aliskerov lands another kick that connects with the groin of Park. They get back going and Aliskerov lands before getting Park to the mat. Aliskerov pushes Park to the fence and is landing left hands as Park lands some shots. They get up and separate. Park closing the distance and Aliskerov shoots for a takedown. They trade and Park lands. 10-9 Aliskerov, 20-18 Aliskerov.
They clinch right away as Park has control. They separate. Aliskerov lands a jab. Park lands a left to the body followed by a right. They break apart. Park lands a combo but Aliskerov fires back with some short punches. Aliskerov is able to score a takedown and has the back. He still has it as they stand. Park lands as they break and then lands a left hand to the body. Aliskerov lands. They trade and Aliskerov is able to score a takedown. He has the back of Park with a body triangle locked on. Aliskerov with punches from the back. Aliskerov controlling from the back. Aliskerov keeps back control all the way to the end. 10-9 Aliskerov, 30-27 Aliskerov.
Fight Result- Ikram Aliskerov def. Jun Yong Park by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Lightweights- Nasrat Haqparast (18-5, 10-4 UFC) vs. Quillan Salkilld (9-1, 2-0 UFC)
Salkilld shoots for a takedown but Haqparast defends. Haqparast lands a combination. He lands a left hand as Salkilld lands a leg kick. Salkilld lands a front kick. Salkilld with a right hand and he tries for a takedown but Haqparast defends. Salkilld lands a leg kick. Haqparast with a left hand. Haqparast lands a solid left hand. Salkilld then lands a head kick and Haqparast goes down out cold! What a brutal knockout by Salkilld!
Fight Result- Quillan Salkilld def. Nasrat Haqparast by knockout (head kick) at 2:30 of Round 1
ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 2 PM ET/11 AM PT
> Light Heavyweights- #7 Aleksandar Rakic (14-5, 6-4 UFC) vs. #10 Azamat Murzakanov (15-0, 5-0 UFC)
Rakic lands an early leg kick. Rakic with a pair of body kicks. Murzakanov with a left hand. Rakic lands a body kick. Rakic lands some more kicks before landing a right hand to the body. Rakic shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Rakic with some knees before they separate. Rakic with a right hand and a leg kick. He lands a body kick then a leg kick before grabbing a single leg and looking to get it down. Murzakanov rolls through and they get to their feet. Murzakanov drops Rakic with a short right hand and Rakic is covering up as Murzakanov comes in and lands and it is all over! Big finish from Murzakanov to pick up the win.
Fight Result- Azamat Murzakanov def. Aleksandar Rakic by TKO (punches) at 3:11 of Round 1
> Heavyweights- #2 Alexander Volkov (38-11, 12-5 UFC) vs. #5 Jailton Almeida (22-3, 8-1 UFC)
Almeida shoots right away and they go to the mat as Almeida is attacking a leg. Volkov with some elbows from the bottom but is warned to watch the back of the head. Almeida is attacking for the arm-triangle choke but Volkov is defending. There really isn’t any action coming from Almeida. Volkov trying to escape from the bottom. Volkov reverses to the top and lands some short elbows. Volkov stands as Almeida is really doing nothing. Volkov lands some punches from the top. Volkov lands some more short elbows and some right hands at the end. 10-9 Volkov.
Almeida lands a right hand and immediately drops down and scores a takedown. He is inside the guard of Volkov. Almeida moves to the half-guard and is just holding and not doing anything at all. Volkov throws an elbow from the bottom. Almeida gets the back and they almost scramble up but Almeida drags it back down. They are stood up by Marc Goddard, but Almeida immediately takes it back down and lands a few shots from the top. Almeida ends the round on top. 10-9 Almeida, 19-19.
Volkov lands a right hand and Almeida gets a takedown, but Volkov immediately reverses it back to the feet. Volkov pushes it against the fence and lands some knees. Almeida lands one but Volkov fires more knees back. Volkov lands an elbow and Almeida looks for a takedown and is able to get it after Volkov briefly defends it. Almeida is controlling as Volkov tries to scramble out, but not too much action. Almeida gets the back. Volkov was landing lots on the bottom. He continues to land as Almeida gets back on top and Almeida is just holding on, and they are stood up. Almeida gets it right back down but nothing happens. 10-9 Volkov, 29-28 Volkov.
Fight Result- Alexander Volkov def. Jailton Almeida by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Bantamweights- #2 Umar Nurmagomedov (18-1, 6-1 UFC) vs. #9 Mario Bautista (16-2, 10-2 UFC)
Nurmagomedov immediately gets a takedown and they get right up with Nurmagomedov on the back. He immediately gets it back down but Bautista is attacking a toe hold but Nurmagomedov is able to get out of the position. Nurmagomedov is in side control landing some left hands. They start scrambing and Nurmagomedov gets the neck. Nurmagomedov gets back inside the guard of Bautista and is smothering him. Nurmagomedov gets side control against the fence and lands a big elbow before Bautista gives up his back. Nurmagomedov has the body triangle locked on and is landing as Bautista is defending his neck. 10-9 Nurmagomedov.
Bautista lands a big knee and Nurmagomedov goes down but he quickly gets up. Bautista is pressing forward. Nurmagomedov lands a left hand and scores a takedown. Nurmagomedov is controlling but they start scrambling and Bautista is able to reverse it to the feet. Bautista lands a right hand and he shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. They break. Bautista throws a body kick but Nurmagomedov grabs it and gets a takedown. Nurmagomedov works to the back but Bautista is able to turn and scramble up. Nurmagomedov lands a body kick. Nurmagomedov with a left hand. Bautista lands a right hand. Nurmagomedov with a head kick. 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 20-18 Nurmagomedov.
Bautista just misses a right hand. Nurmagomedov lands a left hand. Nurmagomedov with another left hand. They trade kicks. They trade more kicks. Bautista lands a right hand. Nurmagomedov gets a brief takedown and has the back as they’re standing. They scramble around and break apart. Nurmagomedov is able to get it back down as he takes the back on the way up. Nurmagomedov gets it back down and is in side control. They scramble up and Nurmagomedov keeps the back and drops down but Bautista tries to escape, though Nurmagomedov chases him down and gets a brief takedown. Nurmagomedov controls to the end. 10-9 Nurmagomedov, 30-27 Nurmagomedov.
Fight Result- Umar Nurmagomedov def. Mario Bautista by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship- #1 Virna Jandiroba (22-3, 8-3 UFC) vs. #5 Mackenzie Dern (15-5, 10-5 UFC)
They trade leg kicks to start. Jandiroba with a body kick. They trade combos. Dern lands a jab and Jandiroba lands a leg kick. Dern comes in and lands a knee. Jandiroba lands a combination. Dern lands a leg kick. Jandiroba shoots for a takedown but Dern defends. Jandiroba lands a right hand. Jandiroba scores a takedown. They get up pretty quickly and Dern lands a knee against the fence before they separate. Jandiroba gets it to the mat and they trade before scrambling up. They clinch against the fence and trade knees. 10-9 Dern.
Dern lands a right hand. Dern shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. They trade knees. They separate. Dern throwing big punches and lands a body kick as Jandiroba lands a right hand. Jandiroba with a right hand. Dern with a combo and Jandiroba lands a right hand. Jandiroba got a takedown and they both land before getting up. They trade and Jandiroba has a cut open. Dern looks for a takedown but Jandiroba rolls through and gets on top against the fence. Jandiroba lands before they stand. 10-9 Jandiroba, 19-19.
They trade and Dern lands a right hand. Jandiroba lands as Dern lands a leg kick and Jandiroba gets it down. Dern being active from the bottom and landing before they get up. Dern works the jab and Jandiroba lands a right hand. Dern shoots for a takedown and pushes it to the fence, landing a knee. They break apart and Jandiroba looks for a takedown, but Dern defends and lands some short punches. Dern lands a leg kick and a right hand. They clinch against the fence but separate without much action. Dern lands and Jandiroba looks for a takedown and is able to complete it. Dern with some elbows from her back. Dern landing more elbows from her back as Jandiroba now lands a few right hands. Jandiroba stands and Dern gets up and they trade at the end. 10-9 Dern, 29-28 Dern.
Dern lands a jab. They both land in close range. Jandiroba lands a combination. Dern with a right hand. Jandiroba lands a leg kick. Dern with a combo. Dern shoots for a takedown. Jandiroba is able to defend as they separate. They trade and Dern lands a right hand. Jandiroba gets it down for a moment, but they stand. They trade and Dern scores a takedown. Dern lands from the top to end the round. 10-9 Dern, 39-37 Dern.
They trade and Dern lands a body kick. Jandiroba with a right hand. Jandiroba lands a leg kick and a right hand and Dern fires back a combo. Dern backs Jandiroba up with a right hand. Dern went for a spin and Jandiroba grabbed the leg and got it to the mat. Jandiroba with a few punches but Dern scrambles up. Jandiroba shoots for a takedown but Dern defends. Jandiroba with some elbows against the fence. Dern lands a knee. They break apart. Dern lands a jab. They trade jabs with Dern’s landing with more impact. Jandiroba gets a takedown and Dern immediately attacks the arm. Dern with some elbows from the bottom. Jandiroba with a pair of hammerfists to the body. They get to their feet. Jandiroba lands a right hand. Dern with a stiff jab. Dern lands a leg kick. Dern gets a late takedown and lands from the top to end it. 10-9 Dern, 49-46 Dern.
Fight Result- Mackenzie Dern def. Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to win the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
> UFC Heavyweight Championship- C Tom Aspinall (15-3, 8-1 UFC) vs. #1 Ciryl Gane (13-2, 10-2 UFC)
Aspinall lands a body kick. Gane with side kicks to the legs and Aspinall lands a right hand. Gane lands a left hand. Aspinall shoots for a takedown but Gane defends. Aspinall with a head kick that Gane mostly blocks. Gane with a quick jab. Aspinall with a spin kick. Aspinall lands a right hand. Gane with a jab and Aspinall lands a body kick. They trade in close as Gane lands a jab. Aspinall with a heavy leg kick. Aspinall lands a left hand as Gane lands a kick and also pokes Aspinall in the eye, so timeout is called. He was actually poked in both eyes and Aspinall is saying he can’t see. The doctors are called in and Aspinall says he still can’t see and the fight is stopped. This is such a bad way to end it as it will be a no contest.
Fight Result- Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane ends in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke at 4:35 of Round 1- Aspinall retains the UFC Heavyweight Championship
