UFC 321 Main Card Overview
UFC 321 took place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, featuring two championship bouts and several key matchups across multiple divisions. The main event saw Tom Aspinall defend his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane, while the co-main event crowned a new women’s strawweight champion as Mackenzie Dern faced Virna Jandiroba.
Below are the official, verified results from the UFC 321 main card, followed by detailed breakdowns and post-fight analysis.
UFC 321 Main Card Results
| Fight | Division | Result | Method / Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall (c) vs. Ciryl Gane | Heavyweight Title | No Contest | Accidental double eye poke, Round 1 |
| Mackenzie Dern vs. Virna Jandiroba | Women’s Strawweight Title | Dern def. Jandiroba | Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) |
| Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista | Bantamweight | Nurmagomedov def. Bautista | Unanimous Decision |
| Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida | Heavyweight | Volkov def. Almeida | Unanimous Decision |
| Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov | Light Heavyweight | Murzakanov def. Rakic | KO/TKO · R1 03:11 |
Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane — Heavyweight Title Ends in No Contest
Controversy surrounded the UFC 321 main event when Ciryl Gane accidentally poked Tom Aspinall in both eyes, forcing him to stop fighting late in the first round. Officials said the fight was a no-contest, therefore the heavyweight title picture is still up in the air.
Aspinall is still the champion, but fans want to see a rematch to find out who the real winner is amongst the two best heavyweights.
Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba — Dern Becomes Strawweight Champion
Mackenzie Dern won the co-main event and the vacant women’s strawweight title by unanimous decision over Virna Jandiroba. The judges gave Dern the win by scores of 48–47, 48–47, and 49–46.
Dern showed significant improvements in striking and cage control, effectively neutralizing Jandiroba’s grappling advantage. The win gives Dern her first UFC title and makes her the new face of the strawweight division.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista — Dominant Return for Nurmagomedov
Umar Nurmagomedov returned to winning form with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Mario Bautista. Nurmagomedov set the pace for all three rounds with better striking and strategic understanding.
This win puts Nurmagomedov back in the running for a chance to fight for the bantamweight title in the future.
Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida — Veteran Experience Prevails
Alexander Volkov, an experienced heavyweight contender, used his reach and striking to win a unanimous decision over Jailton Almeida. Almeida tried to take Volkov down several times, but he couldn’t keep effective ground control. The seasoned fighter’s ability to stay calm and manage the distance was key to his victory.
Volkov’s performance proves that he is still one of the best fighters in the division.
Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov
In the opening main card bout, Azamat Murzakanov defeated Aleksandar Rakic by TKO in a competitive light heavyweight contest. Murzakanov’s pressure, consistent forward movement, and heavy counterstrikes helped him secure the victory.
The result halts Rakic’s comeback momentum while elevating Murzakanov’s position in the light heavyweight rankings.
What Comes Next After UFC 321
The outcomes at UFC 321 reshaped multiple divisions. Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane will likely meet again to settle their unfinished business in the heavyweight title picture. Mackenzie Dern’s championship win ushers in a new era at strawweight, with contenders such as Amanda Lemos and Xiaonan Yan waiting in line.
Umar Nurmagomedov’s dominant victory keeps him in the mix for a bantamweight title eliminator, while Alexander Volkov and Aleksandar Rakić continue to climb toward top-tier opportunities.
