The UFC heavyweight title is in the spotlight this weekend as Tom Aspinall puts the belt on the line against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321 live from Abu Dabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, October 25.

In the co-main event of the evening, Vira Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern will fight for the second time. However, this bout will be for the women’s strawweight title which is currently vacant.

In total, UFC 321 features 14 fights as of this writing. Keep reading as we break down the full card and make our UFC picks for this weekend’s PPV event.

Where To Watch UFC 321?

The Main Card for UFC 321 can be seen live on ESPN PPV per usual. The Preliminary Card for this event will be on ESPN, Disney+ and FX.

What Time Does UFC 321 start?

The UFC 321 preliminary card will begin at 10am ET, while the Main Card is set to go live on PPV beginning at 2pm ET.

Where Is UFC 321?

UFC 321 will be live on ESPN+ and PPV from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

UFC 321 Main Card Odds

Check out the latest UFC 321 odds for the Main Card, courtesy of the top sports betting sites:

The Main Card for UFC 321 is top heavy with two fights that have massive betting favorites in Tom Aspinall and Umar Nurmagomedov. Two more bouts are in the mid-favorite range where Mackenzie Dern and Jailton Almeida are sizable favorites, but there is some room for doubt. And, lastly, we have one fight that’s a toss-up.

With that said, continue reading below as we break down the UFC 321 main card fights and make our predictions for this portion of the event. Additionally, if you need further assistance with this UFC PPV event or any other UFC shows, then check out the industry’s best handicapping membership today.

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UFC 321 Predictions For The Main Card

 The UFC 321 main card features five bouts including two world title fights. This portion of the event will begin at 2pm ET on PPV:

Tom Aspinall (-400) vs. Ciryl Gane (+300)

This heavyweight clash sees the champ Tom Aspinall (15-3) put his title on the line against the former interim champ Ciryl Game (13-2).

Gane comes into this bout having won two in a row. His most recent fight came in December 2024, where he beat Alexander Volkov via split decision.

Aspinall has won three bouts in a row since his TKO injury loss to Blaydes three years ago. His most recent fight was a rematch against Blaydes in July 2024, where Aspinall won via 1^st round KO.

Gane’s only path towards a victory is grappling. If he can get Aspinall to the mat, then he has a shot at succeeding in his quest for victory. However, that is a big “if”. Instead, I think Aspinall’s striking and takedown defense will shine.

I’m taking Aspinall to close out this fight with a TKO/KO victory and continue to carry this division on his back.

Bet: Tom Aspinall (-400)

Mackenzie Dern (-160) vs. Virna Jandiroba (+134)

As mentioned above, Mackenzie Dern (15-5) and Virna Jandiroba (22-3) are battling for the vacant women’s strawweight championship.

These two women first fought in December 2020, and Dern won via unanimous decision. Since then, Jandiroba has gone 6-1 and is on a five-fight winning streak. She last fought in April and won via decision over Yan. Four of her five recent wins have come via decision.

Dern has had a rocky time in the UFC since the first bout between these two. She’s gone 5-4 since that first bout, but enters on a two-fight winning streak. Dern tends to struggle against elite strikers, which she won’t have to worry about in this matchup.

11 of Dern’s 20 pro fights have gone the distance, where she is 7-4. 10 of Jandiroba’s 25 pro bouts have gone the distance where she is 7-3. I don’t see Jandiroba outgrappling Dern, so let’s ride the favorite in this bout to win for a second time.

Bet: Mackenzie Dern (-160)

Umar Nurmagomedov (-625) vs. Mario Bautista (+440)

This bantamweight clash pits two solid fighters in Umar Nurmagomedov (18-1) and Mario Bautista (16-2). Nurmagomedov is a large betting favorite, but we do need to see how he responds to suffering the first loss of his career, which came nine months ago via 5-round decision to Merab Dvalishvili.

Nurmagomedov is 6-1 inside the octagon and has proven to be a strong grappler along with a capable striker when needed. Bautista has won eight fights in a row and is similar in his preference to go to the ground instead of striking it out.

Bautista will push forward in this bout and try to pressure Nurmagomedov, which will end up working against him. The latter is a superior grappler and could possibly have the edge in striking, as well.

With that said, I see Nurmagomedov picking up the finish in this fight. While a submission is favored, I think a TKO via ground-and-pound will be the method of victory.

Bet: Umar Nurmagomedov (-625)

Jailton Almeida (-195) vs. Alexander Volkov (+162)

Jailton Almeida (22-3) will battle Alexander Volkov (38-11) in an exciting heavyweight clash that pits grappler vs. striker.

Almeida is the favorite, and rightfully so. He’s a rising star in the division and is poised to use Volkov as a springboard to bigger fights.

Volkov clearly has the height and reach advantages, but his takedown defense is average at best. Gayne and Blaydes both showed this weakness and I expect Almeida to exploit it as well.

Volkov has a 72% takedown defense, while Almeida is taking down his opponents 6.58 times per 15 minutes. Additionally, his striking accuracy and absorbed strikes numbers are both better than Volkov who is supposed to be the superior striker in this one.

I see Almeida winning this bout as he pressures, smothers, and takes down Volkov where he will end up forcing the Russian to tap out.

Bet: Jailton Almeida (-195)

Azamat Murzakanov (-120) vs. Aleksandar Rakic (even)

Azamat Murzakanov (15-0) and Aleksandar Rakic (14-5) meet in this light heavyweight that’s expected to open up the PPV portion of UFC 321.

Rakic enters this bout having lost three fights in a row. Yet, he has a seven-inch reach advantage and is six inches taller. Murzakanov is an undefeated fighter who’s gone 5-0 inside the octagon. He last fought four months ago and won via 1^st round TKO over Ribeiro. He also KO’d Menifield 14 months ago.

Both men prefer to strike. 9 of Rakic’s 14 wins have come via TKO/KO. Two of his five losses have come via the same method. Murzakanov has won 11 of his 15 pro fights via TKO/KO.

Murzakanov has proven to be the more accurate striker of the two including a better overall defense in the standup department. While he is giving up the height and reach advantages, which are why Rakic is so close in odds, I think Murzakanov has the ability to win this bout by getting inside and picking up the finish.

Five of Murzakanov’s last six wins have come via TKO/KO, which includes his entire UFC career to date. This is going to be a statement win for the Russian fighter.

Bet: Azamat Murzakanov (-120)

UFC 321 Preliminary Card Odds

Check out the latest UFC 321 odds for the Preliminary Card:

The UFC 321 Preliminary Card is a mixture of gate keepers, rising stars, and fighters looking to remain in the promotion. We have a handful of fights with large betting favorites like Maksum, Abdelwahab, and Walker.

However, there are plenty of fights where oddsmakers feel they could be close bouts like with Camilo vs. Al-Selwady and Haqparast vs. Salkilld. That means tight finishes with challenging outcomes.

For fight fans, the prelims appear to be primed for some explosive finishes. For UFC bettors, there’s plenty of betting value to be found in this portion of the UFC 321 event.

UFC 321 Predictions For The Preliminary Card

The UFC 321 preliminary card begins at 10am ET and can be seen on ESPN, Disney, FX:  

Nasrat Haqparast (-115) vs. Quillan Salkilld (-105)

Nasrat Haqparast (18-5) vs. Quillan Salkilld (9-1) is a lightweight clash that was recently added to the event. This late addition to the UFC 321 card is a fight that has the potential to claim one of the bonuses.

Haqparast started off 5-4 in the UFC but has won five in a row since then. Salkilld has claimed nine victories in a row, earned a UFC deal on DWCS last year, and has begun his time inside the octagon going 2-0.

Salkilld has a two-inch height and three-inch reach advantage. Both men are competent strikers with Haqparast absorbing almost twice as many strikes.

The key for this fight is if Haqparast’s takedown defense of 84% can hold up against a grappler that averages 8.41 takedowns per 15 minutes. I don’t see it happening.

I think Salkilld gets a few takedowns in this bout, rides the top control for significant stretches, and wins this bout via unanimous decision. Eight of Haqparast’s last nine bouts have gone the distance. Three of his five losses are via decision. Two of Salkilld’s three UFC related bouts have gone the distance.

Bet: Quillan Salkilld (-105)

Ikram Aliskerov (-235) vs. JunYong Park (+195)

At 3-1 inside the octagon, Ikram Aliskerov (16-2) comes into this middleweight bout as a sizable favorite over JunYong Park (19-6). Aliskerov’s lone defeat came against Robert Whittaker in June 2024. He’s defeated Phil Hawes, Warlley Alves, and Andre Muniz during his UFC tenure. 12 of his 16 pro wins have come via stoppage.

Park has won six of his last trips inside the octagon and is looking sharp during this span. However, he is giving up three inches in reach and two inches in height. Additionally, Park is landing less strikes per 15 minutes than his opponent, is less accurate, and doesn’t have a ground game to make up for the deficiencies.

Aliskerov looks like the better fighter on paper and I expect that to translate into a win on Saturday over Park. The only question is if it will be via TKO/KO or decision. Let’s go with the decision since Park has only dropped one pro fight via TKO/KO. Three of his six losses are via the scorecards.

Take Aliskerov to outstrike and outmaneuver Park in what could be a war of attrition as both men will be looking for the finish.

Bet: Ikram Aliskerov (-235)

Ludovit Klein (-150) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (+125)

This lightweight bout between Ludovit Klein (23-5-1) and Mateusz Rebecki (20-3) is a fight where both men need a win to regain their footing in the division.

Klein is coming off a loss via decision to Mateusz Gamrot in May. Rebecki is coming off a loss to Chris Duncan in August via decision. He’s also dropped two of his last three fights and is 4-2 inside the UFC.

Before his loss to Gamrot, Klein was moving up the lightweight ladder and looking like a future contender. I think he can get back on that trajectory this weekend.

Klein has a massive six-inch reach advantage that should help him greatly in what will be a striking battle for the most part. Even though Rebecki has a 3.46 takedown per 15 minute average, Klein has a 76% takedown defense compared to Rebecki’s 65% takedown accuracy. So, it doesn’t sound like a big enough advantage to change my mind.

I like Klein to get back on track with a decision victory over Rebecki in this bout. Klein has gone the distance in seven of his last eight bouts, while his opponent has gone to the judges in two straight bouts.

Bet: Ludovit Klein (-150)

Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (-120) vs. Matheus Camilo (even)

Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (15-4) will battle Matheus Camilo (9-3) in a lightweight contest where both men are coming off losses. In fact, these losses were during each fighter’s UFC debut.

With that said, I think Al-Selwady has the tools to win this bout. He’s the better striker and a capable enough of a grappler to withstand Camilo’s attempts to take this to the mat. Eventually, I see Camillo getting stopped. Take Al-Selwady to win this fight inside the distance and do so in convincing fashion.

Bet: Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (-120)

Valter Walker (-335) vs. Louie Sutherland (+270)

Valter Walker (14-1) vs. Louie Sutherland (10-3) is an intriguing matchup of heavyweight prospects. Sutherland is making his UFC debut and enters on a four-fight winning streak where he crushed the competition in LFL. Eight of his 10 wins have come via TKO/KO.

Walker has won three straight fights over quality competition after dropping his UFC debut in April 2024. Since then, he beat Tafa, Mayes and Nzechukwu. The Brazilian has also showed a balance of striking and grappling with 10 stoppages in his 14 pro wins.

Walker has a three-inch height and two-inch reach advantage. He’s also by far the better grappler in this matchup. All of Sutherland’s losses have come via decision, so let’s give him some credit and take Walker to win via the scorecards.

Bet: Valter Walker (-335)

Nathaniel Wood (+120) vs. Jose Delgado (-140)

Nathaniel Wood (21-6) vs. Jose Delgado (10-1) is a featherweight fight that has the potential for fireworks if they stand and strike. Delgado enters this bout having won seven in a row including both of his UFC bouts. In fact, he’s won five straight fights via TKO/KO.

Wood has been with the UFC for quite some time and has seen his stock rise and fall. He’s 6-3 in his last nine UFC bouts and I view him more as a stepping stone than a real contender. With that said, I like Delgado in this matchup.

Delgado has a five-inch reach and height advantage, which will come into play with the striking. Additionally, he has a better takedown accuracy and volume than Wood. This bout could go the distance, but let’s get spicy and take the TKO/KO victory for Delgado.

Bet: Jose Delgado (-140)

Hamdy Abdelwahab (-450) vs. Chris Barnett (+330)

This heavyweight bout is set up for Hamdy Abdelwahab (6-1) to have success as he takes on a beatable Chris Barnett (23-9). Nicknamed “The Hammer,” Abdelwahab has gone 1-1 in 2025, so far. He lost via decision in June. Five of his six wins have come via TKO/KO.

Barnett is 2-3 in his last five bouts including a 1^st round TKO loss to Nzechukwu a year ago, which was his last fight. Four of his nine losses have come via TKO/KO. 18 of his 23 wins have come via TKO/KO.

We basically have a fight between big men who will look for the knockout. I see Abdelwahab getting that honor this weekend as he has a five-inch height advantage and just enough takedown skills to change levels if needed. The Hammer will get a KO in this matchup.

Bet: Hamdy Abdelwahab (-450)

Azat Maksum (-400) vs. Mitch Raposo (+300)

Flyweights Azat Maksum (15-2) and Mitch Raposo (9-3) are both looking to snap their two-fight skids with a much-needed win on Saturday. Unfortunately for Raposo, this matchup heavily favors Maksum as he’s the better overall striker with a six-inch reach advantage.

While Raposo has shown signs of a capable ground game, I don’t see it coming into play as Maksum can defend takedowns with an 85% rate.

Instead, Maksum is going to win this fight on points. Two of Raposo’s three losses have coming via decision. Maksum has gone the distance in three straight bouts.

Bet: Azat Maksum (-400)

Jaqueline Amorim (-450) vs. Mizuki Inoue (+339)

In the UFC 321 opener, and first of two women’s fights, Jaqueline Amorim (10-1) and Mizuki Inoue (15-6) will battle in the strawweight division. Amorim is the large favorite, and rightfully so. She’s won four fights in a row, with all of them coming in the UFC. Inoue is 2-1 in the UFC, but hasn’t fought since September 2023.

Inoue is the better pure striker, but her ground game is inferior to Amorim’s. If she ends up losing striking exchanges, then I expect Amorim to take this fight to the mat whenever she wants. With that said, take Amorim to win this bout via submission. Eight of her 10 pro wins have come via submission. Inoue has never been stopped before. Something has to give here!

Bet: Jaqueline Amorim (-450)

The Best UFC 321 Picks

The following is our best UFC picks for this weekend’s event:

• Tom Aspinall (-400)
• Mackenzie Dern (-160)
• Umar Nurmagomedov (-625)
• Valter Walker (-335)

Yes, we have some big moneylines here but these competitors are clearly better than their counterparts on Saturday. In the case of Dern, she’s already defeated her opponent and has the skills to do it once again. Aspinall and Nurmagomedov are just too much for their opponents to handle.

Walker is a prelim fighter to keep an eye on. He’s got some potential and a decent balance with striking and grappling. He’s positioned to pick up a convincing win on Saturday.

If you want to roll these four UFC picks into a parlay, then a $100 wager will net you $205 in return. Doubling your money on four clear-cut favorites is a win-win scenario for any UFC bettor.

UFC 321 Card

Check out the updated UFC 321 fight card: