The heavyweight championship is hanging in the balance this weekend at UFC 321, and the weigh-in drama has us all buzzing—what a thrilling prelude to an epic showdown!
That's all, folks! Published at 15:53 BST
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We've wrapped up this exhilarating live coverage of the weigh-in, and boy, was it a rollercoaster. A huge thank you to everyone who stuck around for the updates—we can't wait to dive into the action-packed main card tomorrow evening. For rising star Tom Aspinall, this is a monumental occasion as he steps into his very first title defense as UFC heavyweight champion. Don't miss a second of it; we'll be right here with you for every live moment throughout the night.
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Aspinall v Gane
Could Aspinall vs. Jones still happen? Published at 15:46 BST
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As Tom Aspinall steps into the octagon on Saturday, it'll mark his debut as the UFC's undisputed heavyweight champion—a dream come true for the Manchester fighter. He clinched the interim title back in November 2023 by defeating Sergei Pavlovich, and then successfully defended it against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024. After that lightning-fast victory over Blaydes (finishing it in just 60 seconds), Aspinall boldly declared he was gunning for the full champion, Jon Jones, hinting at a massive clash. But here's where it gets controversial: That megafight never materialized because Jones unexpectedly retired from MMA in June. Aspinall was then elevated to undisputed champ status. Just two weeks later, though, Jones did a stunning U-turn on his retirement and teased his return for the UFC's White House card in 2026. This leaves the door wide open for a potential showdown between Aspinall and Jones next year—imagine the fireworks! What do you think: Is Jones' flip-flopping a smart career move, or just unpredictable drama? Share your take in the comments!
Tale-of-the-tape Published at 15:43 BST
One final face-off Published at 15:39 BST
Aspinall v Gane
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'This will be big' Published at 15:36 BST
Aspinall v Gane
Tom Aspinall, ever the man of action, isn't one to drag things out, but he's making grand promises as he gears up for his inaugural defense of the UFC heavyweight belt: "I'm delivering a truly spectacular performance on Saturday. Be sure to watch—this one's going to be enormous."
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Aspinall v Gane
Ciryl Gane, when asked about his thoughts on the upcoming championship bout, responds succinctly amidst a few boos from the crowd: "Really happy to be here, everyone. Catch you Saturday."
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Aspinall v Gane
The tension builds with an intense stare-down between the two warriors, but it remains courteous, culminating in a firm handshake.
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Champion Aspinall looking impressive Published at 15:32 BST
Aspinall v Gane
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Here strides the UFC heavyweight king, Tom Aspinall, looking every bit the part. His grueling 6,000-calorie daily diet has helped him pack on a bit more muscle since his last outing in July 2024. Today, he weighs in at a solid 255lb (that's 18 stone and 3 pounds for our British fans). For context, he was lighter at 17 stone and 9 pounds during his interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes almost a year and a half ago. Still, he's not quite at his personal peak weight of 18 stone and 6 pounds from his win over Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 back in November 2023. For beginners wondering about UFC weights, this shows how fighters adjust their bodies for peak condition—it's not just about strength but strategic bulking to intimidate opponents while staying agile.
Third time's the charm for Gane? Published at 15:31 BST
Ciryl Gane entered the UFC just 11 months before Tom Aspinall and has also held the interim heavyweight title. The 35-year-old secured it by knocking out Derrick Lewis in 2021, but couldn't dethrone undisputed champ Francis Ngannou in his following match. He rebounded with a victory over Tai Tuivasa, yet suffered his second career loss to Jon Jones himself. Undeterred by setbacks, Gane powered through with back-to-back wins to secure this third shot at the title. It's a classic underdog story in mixed martial arts, where resilience often turns the tide—think of it like a boxer bouncing back from a knockout to become a champion.
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Aspinall v Gane
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Challenger Ciryl Gane hits the scales first, clocking in at 247.5lb (17 stone and 9.5 pounds). That's a couple of pounds heavier than his last appearance, where he triumphed over Alexander Volkov in December—proof that he's optimizing his physique for this high-stakes rematch.
What UFC heavyweight champion Aspinall eats in a day Published at 15:30 BST
Tom Aspinall graciously shared a detailed breakdown of his daily meals during his rigorous training camp.
The champ is almost here Published at 15:30 BST
Paul Battison
BBC Sport in Abu Dhabi
The chants of "Tommy Aspinall" are echoing loudly again, driven by a dedicated group of about 20 supporters right behind me. Our champion is just moments from appearing.
300 sit-ups and 6,000 calories a day—inside Aspinall's fight camp Published at 15:29 BST
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Curious about the grind to become a UFC heavyweight champion? It demands relentless effort, unwavering commitment, and—believe it or not—a mountain of fuel. To get ready for his title defense against Ciryl Gane this Saturday, Tom Aspinall revealed to BBC Sport that he's fueling up with 6,000 calories daily, plus a whopping eight to 10 liters of water. His menu includes everything from protein shakes and yogurt topped with fruit to hearty steaks paired with eggs. He estimates burning about 2,000 calories in intense training sessions alone. For context, this kind of regimen is common among elite athletes—it's like an Olympic swimmer powering through laps with a diet that supports muscle repair and energy spikes. Dive into the full story here (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/mixed-martial-arts/articles/cy0kynlv9rdo).
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One title bout is in the books, and another is on deck... Manchester's own Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champ, is about to make his entrance.
'Everything is different' Published at 15:28 BST
Jandiroba v Dern
Virna Jandiroba suffered a defeat to Mackenzie Dern back in 2020, but the Brazilian fighter is confident things have changed: "Everything's transformed. Five years have passed, and I'll prove it to you come Saturday night."
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Jandiroba v Dern
Mackenzie Dern shares her feelings ahead of the fight: "I'm feeling prepared; this is shaping up to be an incredible battle. I'll prove there's a new Strawweight Queen."
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Jandiroba v Dern
No problems for Virna Jandiroba—she hits the strawweight limit exactly at 115lb (8 stone and 3 pounds).
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Jandiroba v Dern
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Mackenzie Dern weighs in at the championship standard of 115lb (8 stone and 3 pounds).
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Keeping pace with all this excitement? We're taking a quick breather as the flurry of fighters rushing onto the stage, weighing in, and facing off pauses momentarily. Now, we're shifting gears to one of the evening's two title contests at UFC 321: Virna Jandiroba versus Mackenzie Dern for the vacant strawweight crown. For those new to UFC, strawweight is the lightest women's division, emphasizing speed and technique over brute force—think of it as a high-speed chess match with punches and kicks. Who's your pick here? Give a thumbs up if you bet on Jandiroba, or thumbs down if Dern takes the win. And speaking of controversies, is it fair that fighters like Jones can retire and un-retire at will, potentially disrupting the division? Does this undermine the sport's credibility, or is it just part of the entertainment? Who do you think will emerge victorious in the main event—Aspinall or Gane? Agree with Aspinall's bold predictions? Disagree with Jones' comeback? Hit the comments and let's discuss!
