The UFC travels to Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 24, for UFC 321, taking place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, with the main card scheduled for 2 p.m. ET — a day-time card.
This marks the UFC's 22nd visit to Abu Dhabi and first since UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder in July 2025. The event features undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall defending his title against former interim champion Ciryl Gane in what promises to be an explosive five-round main event.
We'll take a look at the UFC 321 start times for each fight on the main card for UFC 321, plus fight stat projections from PrizePicks — where you can pick More or Less on fighters to win real money on every fight.
When is UFC 321? Main Card Start Time
The UFC 321: Aspinall vs. Gane main card is set to start at 2 p.m. ET, with Aspinall vs. Gane expected to start around 4 p.m. ET, depending on when the other fights end on Saturday.
This is an early fight card in the middle of Saturday, as Abu Dhabi is eight hours ahead of Eastern Time.
You can watch the UFC 321 main card on ESPN+ pay-per-view, with the prelims free to watch with an ESPN+ subscription.
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane Preview, Start Time & Stats
Tom Aspinall defends his heavyweight title for the first time against former interim champion Ciryl Gane in Saturday's main event at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. The British champion enters with an 8-1 UFC record and has finished six opponents in the opening round, boasting the shortest average fight time in UFC history at just two minutes and two seconds.
Gane represents the ultimate test for Aspinall's unproven championship mettle. The 35-year-old Frenchman brings an elite Muay Thai pedigree with exceptional footwork and striking precision that makes him unlike any opponent Aspinall has faced. Gane holds a 13-2 record overall and 10-2 inside the Octagon, with his only losses coming in undisputed title fights.
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane Stats: Main Event
Fight stat projections via PrizePicks UFC real money game.
- UFC Heavyweight Championship
- Expected start Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
- Aspinall Projections: 25.5 Significant Strikes, 1.5 Takedowns (Demon)
- Gane Projection: 21.5 Significant Strikes
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 47.5
- Fight Time Projection: 7.5 Minutes
- Rounds Projection: 2.5 Total Rounds (Demon)
Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern Preview, Start Time & Stats
The co-main event at UFC 321 features an undisputed strawweight title fight between top-ranked Virna Jandiroba and fifth-ranked Mackenzie Dern, with the belt vacated by Zhang Weili's move to flyweight.
Jandiroba enters this fight on a five-fight winning streak since these two first fought at UFC 256, where Dern claimed a unanimous decision victory.
Jandiroba holds a 22-3 overall record and has transformed her approach since that 2020 loss, showcasing improved striking to complement her elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu pedigree. Dern brings a 15-5 record but has struggled with consistency, posting a 5-4 mark since defeating Jandiroba nearly five years ago.
Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern Stats: Co-Main Event
Fight stat projections via PrizePicks UFC real money game.
- UFC Strawweight Championship
- Expected start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Jandiroba Projections: 43.5 Significant Strikes, 1.5 Takedowns (Goblin)
- Dern Projection: 61.5 Significant Strikes, 1.5 Takedowns (Demon)
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 105.5
- Rounds Projection: 1.5 Total Rounds (Goblin)
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista Preview, Start Time & Stats
Number two-ranked bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov makes his comeback against rising contender Mario Bautista at UFC 321 on Saturday.
The Dagestani grappling specialist enters with an 18-1 record and carried an undefeated streak of 18 consecutive victories before his unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili in a UFC 311 title fight in January.
Bautista brings red-hot momentum with his own 16-2 professional record and has studied the blueprint Dvalishvili employed to defeat Nurmagomedov.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista Stats
Fight stat projections via PrizePicks UFC real money game.
- Bantamweight
- Expected start Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
- Nurmagomedov Projections: 62.5 Significant Strikes, 3.5 Takedowns (Goblin)
- Bautista Projection: 52.5 Significant Strikes, 0.5 Takedowns (Demon)
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 115.5
- Rounds Projection: 2.5 Total Rounds (Goblin)
Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida Preview, Start Time & Stats
Number two-ranked heavyweight Alexander Volkov faces number five-ranked Jailton Almeida in a heavyweight showdown with serious title picture implications at UFC 321 on Saturday. The Russian veteran brings veteran poise and technical striking brilliance with a 38-11 record and four consecutive victories before his controversial split-decision loss to Ciryl Gane in December 2024.
Almeida presents an elite grappling threat with a 22-3 professional record and one of the most dominant submission arsenals in the UFC heavyweight division.
Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida Stats
Fight stat projections via PrizePicks UFC real money game.
- Heavyweight
- Expected start Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- Volkov Projections: 29.5 Significant Strikes
- Almeida Projection: 22.5 Significant Strikes, 1.5 Takedowns (Goblin)
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 52.5
- Fight Time Projection: 8.25 Minutes
- Rounds Projection: 2.5 Total Rounds (Demon)
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov Preview, Start Time & Stats
No.7-ranked light heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic faces an undefeated Azamat Murzakanov in a pivotal matchup with major title implications at UFC 321 on Saturday. The Austrian striker enters on a brutal three-fight losing streak following knockout losses to Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz, but possesses elite technical striking with a 78-inch reach.
Murzakanov's perfect 15-0 record disguises one of the most dangerous power strikers in the division, with 11 of his professional victories coming by knockout.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov Stats
Fight stat projections via PrizePicks UFC real money game.
- Light Heavyweight
- Expected start Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
- Rakic Projections: 29.5 Significant Strikes
- Murzakanov Projection: 22.5 Significant Strikes, 1.5 Takedowns (Goblin)
- Significant Strikes (Combo): 52.5
- Fight Time Projection: 8.25 Minutes
- Rounds Projection: 2.5 Total Rounds (Demon)
Make UFC 321 Predictions on PrizePicks
UFC 321: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane is set to be an exciting fight card on Saturday, as Aspinall attempts to defend his undisputed title for the first time, meanwhile Gane looks to finally become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
The main card gets underway at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV, broadcasting live from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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