UFC 321 Main Event: Tom Aspinall Submits Ciryl Gane in London Showstopper
The O2 Arena erupted as British heavyweight star Tom Aspinall stunned former interim champion Ciryl Gane with a second-round submission at UFC 321, solidifying his place as a top title contender.
Round-by-Round Breakdown: Aspinall Dominates Gane
Round 1 – Tactical Striking and a Surprise Takedown
The fight opened cautiously, with Gane using his signature leg kicks and jabs to control distance. Aspinall countered with explosive bursts, landing a heavy right hand that wobbled Gane. In a surprising move, Aspinall secured a takedown, dominating top control but unable to finish.
Round 2 – The Submission Finish
Aspinall upped the pressure, landing another takedown early. From mount, he rained hard elbows, forcing Gane to give up his back. A tight rear-naked choke sealed the deal at 3:18 of Round 2, sending the London crowd into a frenzy.
Post-fight, Aspinall called out Jon Jones, declaring, “I’m coming for that belt!”
What’s Next for the UFC Heavyweight Division?
- Aspinall (7-1 UFC) is now a top contender, likely facing Jones or Miocic next.
- Gane suffers his second title-adjacent loss, raising questions about his grappling defense.
Co-Main Event: Paddy Pimblett Edges Tony Ferguson in Thriller
Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett escaped a late scare to beat Tony Ferguson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Ferguson nearly finished Pimblett with a brutal elbow in Round 3, but “The Baddy” survived to claim victory.
Key UFC 321 Results
- Natalia Silva def. Molly McCann via armbar (Round 1)
- Jai Herbert def. Fares Ziam via KO (Round 2)
- Muhammad Mokaev def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision
Final Takeaways
- Aspinall’s win sets up a potential UK stadium headliner vs. Jones/Miocic.
- Pimblett’s shaky performance leaves hype train questions.
- Mokaev stakes claim for a flyweight title shot.
Tune in for post-fight analysis and UFC updates!
