Abu Dhabi, UAE: UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, returns to the UAE capital in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) for the highly anticipated UFC® 321. Taking place on Saturday, October 25 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the event will feature an electrifying showdown between UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and no.1 contender Ciryl Gane.

UFC® 321 tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. GST on Friday, July 25 via ticketmaster.ae, while hotel packages are available via etihadarena.ae. Early access to tickets will be available from 1 p.m. GST on Thursday, July 24, for those who registered their interest.

VIP Experience packages will be available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Fans can enjoy exclusive access with premium seating, VIP weigh-in access, all-inclusive hospitality, athlete meet-and-greets and more. For full package details, visit UFCVIP.com.

UFC® 321 is the second UFC event scheduled in Abu Dhabi this year. In recent years, Abu Dhabi has hosted some of the highest-calibre UFC bouts, featuring world champions, rising stars, and unforgettable moments. From Khabib Nurmagomedov’s dominant title defense at UFC® 242 to the thrilling showdown between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at UFC® 308, the city has further cemented its status as a global stage for world-class MMA action.

Heavyweight champion Aspinall (15-3, fighting out of Manchester, England) returns to the Octagon® looking to cement his legacy in the heavyweight division. A well-rounded finisher with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aspinall secured his title with a stunning first-round KO of Sergei Pavlovich. He also boasts dominant wins over Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Andrei Arlovski, and now aims to defend his belt for the first time as the undisputed heavyweight king.

Former interim champion Gane (13-2, fighting out of Paris, France) looks to make history in his first appearance of 2025. Known for his elite footwork and striking finesse, Gane rose through the heavyweight ranks with impressive victories over Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Alexander Volkov. The French star now sets his sights on another statement win as he attempts to reclaim UFC gold.

• Additional bouts on the card include:
  Aleksandar Rakic (14-5, fighting out of Vienna, Austria) will take on undefeated Azamat Murzakanov (15-0, fighting out of New Jersey, USA) in a light heavyweight matchup.
• Two heavyweight contenders face off as Alexander Volkov (38-11, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) takes on Jailton Almeida (22-3, fighting out of Salvador, Brazil).
• Azat Maksum (15-2, fighting out of Kaskelen, Kazakhstan) faces Mitch Raposo (9-3, fighting out of Massachusetts, USA), who looks to get back in the win column, in a flyweight fight.
• Ikram Aliskerov (16-2, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) takes on vs JunYong Park (19-6, fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) in what promises to be a thrilling middleweight fight.
• Hamdy Abdelwahab (4-1, fighting out of New York, USA, by way of Egypt) faces off against Chris Barnett (23-9, fighting out of Florida, USA) in a heavyweight bout.

For further information on UFC® 321 and to stay updated with Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, visit VisitAbuDhabi.ae.

ENDS

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 309 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 950 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about DCT Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit tcaabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae. For Abu Dhabi Calendar, please visit inabudhabi.ae.

Abu Dhabi, UAE: UFC, the world’s leading mixed martial arts organisation, together with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), promises another showstopping event in the UAE capital, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for top-tier sporting events. Fans are encouraged to register their interest early for the best chance to secure tickets via Visit Abu Dhabi. UFC® 321 tickets will go on sale on Friday, July 25 via etihadarena.ae and Ticketmaster.ae.  

The much-anticipated return of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, headlined by UFC® 321, promises an unforgettable celebration of the very best in combat sports and live entertainment. The week is one of the most anticipated on the UFC calendar, filled with international championship talent and high-stakes action.

With over 20 events hosted in Abu Dhabi since 2010, UFC has become a powerhouse on the region’s sports and entertainment scene. Before UFC® 321 takes over Abu Dhabi on October 25, the Octagon® returns this summer with UFC FIGHT NIGHT: WHITTAKER vs. DE RIDDER on Saturday July 26, as former middleweight champion and No.5 ranked Robert Whittaker faces rising star Reinier de Ridder in a must-see showdown at the Etihad Arena – all made possible through UFC’s long-standing partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi.

With UFC® 321 on the horizon in October, stay tuned for more details as anticipation builds for one of the UFC’s biggest events of the year.

VIP Experience packages for UFC® 321 will be available soon via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. These exclusive packages offer premium seating, VIP access to weigh-ins, all-inclusive hospitality, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes and more. For additional information, please visit UFCVIP.com to view package details. 

For further information on UFC® 321 and the latest updates, please visit VisitAbuDhabi.ae.