As usual, UFC CEO Dana White is a busy man.
White took time off from promoting the biggest boxing match of 2025, Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, to drop info on two massive upcoming UFC fight cards.
There are three title fights coming in October, and one will have Tom Aspinall defending his newly awarded UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane.
That fight will headline UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, and it is set to take place on October 25. Aspinall is finally free of chasing former champ Jon Jones for a title shot. Jones led Aspinall around on a string for more than a year, only to briefly retire from the sport.
White gave Jones every opportunity to defend his title against Aspinall, but the sides could never agree. Jones elected to walk away temporarily, and he is now pursuing fights on the White House card coming July 4, 2026.
White has said he is hesitant to book Jones on such a big card because of his poor track record for availability and recent events. Stay tuned on that bit. As for Aspinall-Gane, it’s not the sexiest main event.
Aspinall has proven to be a pure finisher in his career, but Gane’s appeal has waned since he made a splash in the UFC with his dynamic striking for the heavyweight division.
This fight feels more like a necessary step for Aspinall than a bout UFC matchmakers were thrilled to make because of its potential excitement. Who knows? Maybe Gane will surprise us with a spirited effort as he gets his third opportunity to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
He lost to Francis Ngannou in January 2022 via unanimous decision and was submitted by Jones in his second attempt at undisputed glory in March 2023.
The fact that Gane has gotten so many opportunities to become the undisputed champion in three years tells you all you need to know about the lack of depth in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
It’s a shame, as Aspinall—for as talented as he is—may find it difficult to earn the validation that should accompany being the heavyweight champion of the No. 1 MMA organization in the world.
Here is a look at the other fights locked into the Abu Dhabi card:
Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- (c) Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane – UFC Heavyweight Championship
- Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
- Aleksandar Rakić vs. Azamat Murzakanov
Flyweight (125 lbs)
- Azat Maksum vs. Mitch Raposo
In addition to the UFC 321 news, White also announced three huge fights for UFC 320 in Las Vegas on October 4. In the main event, Magomed Ankalaev will defend his UFC light heavyweight title in a rematch with the man he dethroned, Alex Pereira.
In the co-main event, a leading candidate for Fighter of the Year, Merab Dvalishvili, will defend his UFC men’s bantamweight title against longtime contender Cory Sandhagen. Also a part of the main card, Khalil Rountree Jr. will face former UFC champion Jiri Prochazka in what figures to be an excellent fight.
Yes, the UFC’s October calendar is looking strong.
