*Tom Aspinall floors Sergei Pavlovich with a devastating right hand. Credit: Zuffa LLC.*

The UFC returns to the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi with an outstanding pay-per-view card. The entire card is filled with exciting matchups and outstanding fighters all looking to score a highlight-reel victory. In the co-main event, the vacant Strawweight title will be on the line when the always-dangerous Virna Jandiroba takes on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Mackenzie Dern. In the main event, we’ll see the newly crowned undisputed Heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, look to defend his title for the first time against the number one contender, Ciryl Gane. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

#7 Aleksandar Rakić vs. #10 Azamat Murzakanov

*Aleksandar Rakić tags Jiří Procházka with a right hook. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Light Heavyweight Bout

Aleksandar Rakić: 14-5-0, 9 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Azamat Murzakanov: 15-0-0, 11 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Rakić has won two of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Anthony Smith (38-22-0), Devin Clark (14-9-0), and Thiago Santos (22-13-0). He’s a powerful, technical striker with excellent distance management and footwork. He’s constantly looking to use his feints and footwork to draw a reaction out of his opponent and land counterattacks. Rakić favors power to volume, regularly throwing single shots and naked kicks from range, all with knockout intentions. Training at Gym 23, he remains technical throughout, never getting sloppy even when he lets his hands go inside the pocket. He’ll often lunge forward and throw long, heavy, straight shots before returning to distance and throwing kicks. Rakić has seven first-round knockouts and can produce a flash finish anytime.

*Azamat Murzakanov unloads ground and pound shots onto Brendson Ribeiro. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Murzakanov is undefeated, holding UFC victories over #14 ranked Light Heavyweight Alonzo Menifield (17-5-1), Brendson Ribeiro (17-9-0), and Dustin Jacoby (21-9-1). He’s a powerful, elusive striker who’s always pursuing a knockout. He’s highly explosive, favoring power to volume and constantly looking to land shots up the middle, especially uppercuts and knees. He has excellent footwork and distance management, regularly blitzing into the pocket to land power shots before quickly returning to range unscathed. Training at K Dojo, he does a great job varying his shots, constantly attacking from different angles while changing his targets between the head and body. He’s most comfortable on his feet but is willing to grapple, possessing solid wrestling and clinch control. Murzakanov has secured nine of his twelve finishes in the first round and is at his most dangerous early on.

#2 Alexander Volkov vs. #5 Jailton Almeida

*Alexander Volkov fires a lunging right hand at Sergei Pavlovich. Credit: Zuffa LLC.*

Heavyweight Bout

Alexander Volkov: 38-11-0, 24 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Jailton Almeida: 22-3-0, 8 KO/TKO, 13 Sub.

Volkov has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over #3 ranked Heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich (20-3-0), #8 ranked Heavyweight Marcin Tybura (27-10-0), and #11 ranked Heavyweight Tai Tuivasa (15-8-0). He is a lengthy, technical kickboxer who’s comfortable fighting at range or inside the pocket. He has solid footwork and head movement, tending to skirt along the outside of the cage, avoiding damage while picking his opponents apart. Volkov is highly accurate and throws everything with purpose, having landed 57% of the significant strikes he’s attempted in the UFC. His best weapons are his front kick and right straight, and he’ll constantly look to set up both in pursuit of landing a knockout blow. Training with Strela Team, he’s dangerous inside the clinch and uses his length very well, making him particularly hard to take down. Volkov carries his power throughout, but tends to decrease his pace and output as the fight continues, focusing on picking his shots and landing heavy blows.

*Jailton Almeida stuns Serghei Spivac with a powerful right hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Almeida has won four of his last five outings, with UFC victories coming over #7 ranked Heavyweight Serghei Spivac (17-6-0), #8 ranked Heavyweight Derrick Lewis (29-12-0), and Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-8-0). He’s a powerful, efficient grappler with outstanding wrestling and lethal submissions. He usually won’t waste much time on the feet, shooting in and pursuing powerful takedowns immediately. Almeida is very fluid on the ground and has excellent top control, making it nearly impossible for his opponents to escape. Training at Gãlpao de Luta, he’s finished all but one of his victories and has 11 wins via rear-naked choke, making him extremely dangerous if he gets to his opponent’s back. He has vicious ground and pound, always working for a finish while constantly advancing position and never overcommitting. Almeida has absorbed, on average, just six significant strikes per UFC fight and rarely takes much damage.

#2 Umar Nurmagomedov vs. #9 Mario Bautista

*Umar Nurmagomedov postures up and batters Bekzat Almakhan with ground and pound. Credit: Zuffa LLC.*

Bantamweight Bout

Umar Nurmagomedov: 18-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Mario Bautista: 16-2-0, 3 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Nurmagomedov has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #4 ranked Bantamweight Cory Sandhagen (18-6-0), Nate Maness (16-3-0), and Raoni Barcelos (20-5-0). He’s a technical, well-rounded fighter with big power in his hands and dominant wrestling. He’s constantly switching stances and throwing lead leg attacks, always moving and never staying in one spot for long. Training at the American Kickboxing Academy, Nurmagomedov has fantastic takedowns and top control, often landing takedowns in open space and quickly advancing position. He’s averaging over three takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and remains patient in top position, always looking for openings to land ground and pound or grab a submission. He has devastating power in his hands and can produce a flash knockout at any moment. Six of Nurmagomedov’s seven submissions have been via rear-naked choke, so he’ll regularly look to take his opponent’s back.

*Mario Bautista lands a cracking right hand on Patchy Mix. Credit: MMA Mania.*

Bautista is on an eight-fight win streak, holding UFC victories over José Aldo (32-10-0), Patchy Mix (19-4-0), and Ricky Simón (22-6-0). He’s incredibly quick and dangerous on his feet, regularly moving in and out of the pocket to land shots without taking damage. He throws everything with power, keeps his punches tight and technical, and attacks the head and body evenly. Training at the MMA Lab, Bautista always comes forward, throwing combinations and typically a steady flow of low kicks. He’s averaging nearly two takedowns landed per 15 minutes and will regularly blend takedowns into his striking offense. He’s as quick on the ground as on the feet, transitioning and passing efficiently and effectively. Bautista has heavy top pressure and will find submissions in the blink of an eye, holding three first-round submission victories in the UFC.

#1 Virna Jandiroba vs. #5 Mackenzie Dern

*Virna Jandiroba lands a thudding elbow on Marina Rodriguez. Credit: Zuffa LLC.*

Women’s Strawweight Title Bout

Virna Jandiroba: 22-3-0, 1 KO/TKO, 14 Sub.

Mackenzie Dern: 15-5-0, 0 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Jandiroba is on a five-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #3 ranked Strawweight Yan Xiaonan (19-5-0), #4 ranked Strawweight Amanda Lemos (15-5-1), and #6 ranked Strawweight Loopy Godínez (14-5-0). She’s a tenacious grappler with excellent takedowns and lethal submissions. She’s a bit limited on her feet, mostly throwing straight punches and 1-2 combinations before closing the distance and pursuing takedowns. Jandiroba is averaging over two takedowns landed and nearly two submissions attempted per fifteen minutes, and will constantly look to get her opponent in the clinch along the fence. Training at Academia Fight House, she holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, heavy top control, and always works for a finish on the ground. She has excellent sweeps and reversals, almost always ending up in top position when the fight hits the mat. Jandiroba has secured nine of her fourteen submission victories via choke, with six of those being rear-naked chokes, and is extremely dangerous if she can get a hold of her opponent’s neck.

*Mackenzie Dern submits Amanda Ribas with a vicious armbar. Credit: Bloody Elbow.*

Dern has won three of her last five bouts, with UFC victories coming over #6 ranked Strawweight Loopy Godínez (14-5-0), #11 ranked Strawweight Amanda Ribas (12-7-0), and her current opponent, Virna Jandiroba. Easily the most credentialed grappler in the Strawweight division, she’s won gold medals at the ADCC World Championship, World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, European Championship, and more. Training at RVCA, she’ll do whatever she can to get the fight to the mat, including pulling guard or jumping for submissions while standing. Dern has excellent top control, transitions quickly, and never puts herself in bad spots on the ground. She tends to headhunt on the feet, often blitzing forward to throw combinations. She’s willing to eat a shot to land one and has decent power in her hands, but she usually uses her striking to close the distance and set up a takedown. With six of her eight submission wins coming in round one, Dern is at her most dangerous early on.

(C) Tom Aspinall vs. #1 Ciryl Gane

*Tom Aspinall exchanges blows with Curtis Blaydes. Credit: The Independent.*

Heavyweight Title Bout

Tom Aspinall: 15-3-0, 11 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Ciryl Gane: 13-2-0, 6 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Aspinall has won four of his last five outings with UFC victories over #2 ranked Heavyweight Alexander Volkov (38-11-0), #3 ranked Heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich (20-3-0), and #4 ranked Heavyweight Curtis Blaydes (19-5-0). He’s a well-rounded fighter who’s comfortable anywhere and constantly pursues a finish. He’s a fast starter but won’t get wild, never overextending on his shots and always keeping his head off the centerline. Aspinall has excellent footwork and distance management, absorbing, on average, just six significant strikes per fight in his UFC tenure. He has 100% takedown defense and accuracy, can land shots in open space, and advances position very quickly on the ground. Training at Team Kaobon, he’s never reached the third round in his career, with his last six fights not going past the first round. Aspinall has racked up seven Performance of the Night bonuses in just nine UFC fights and has 14 first-round finishes in his career.

*Ciryl Gane lands a stinging right hand on Serghei Spivac. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Gane has won three of his last five fights, holding wins over #2 ranked Heavyweight Alexander Volkov (38-11-0), #7 ranked Heavyweight Serghei Spivac (17-6-0), and #11 ranked Heavyweight Tai Tuivasa (15-8-0). He is one of the most technical strikers ever seen in the Heavyweight division, using efficient, brutal Muay Thai to damage his opponents. Training at the MMA Factory, he has an excellent arsenal of attacks, all of which he can throw with power and do severe damage. Although Gane has established himself as a striker, he’s also an excellent grappler with two submission wins in the UFC, one coming via heel hook. He has solid takedowns, wrestling, top control, and lethal ground and pound. He’s willing to exchange in the pocket but is also excellent at range, throwing plenty of high and low kicks and crisp combinations with his hands. Gane, on average, lands more than twice as many strikes per minute as he absorbs and has excellent volume to match his power.

Best Bets

Rakić vs. Murzakanov to Not Go the Distance: This is an excellent matchup of two exciting strikers that’s sure to produce highlights. Both of these fighters are prolific finishers, particularly with their hands, having combined for 22 finishes, 20 of which are knockouts. This is also an important matchup for either fighter; for Rakić, it’s an opportunity to snap his losing streak and earn a win over a ranked, quickly rising prospect. For Murzakanov, this is easily the biggest name he’s ever faced, and a finish victory would solidify him as a legitimate contender at Light Heavyweight. Both have excellent technical skills and the ability to go three rounds, but I expect this fight to get off to a quick start, with both hunting for a finish from the opening bell. I anticipate heated striking exchanges early on, with neither fighter willing to back down, and as these exchanges continue, someone will eventually land the finishing blow. Regardless of who has their hand raised at the end of this fight, I’m confident it will not go all three rounds.

Mackenzie Dern Moneyline: An unprecedented rematch now with gold on the line, I’ve been looking forward to this one. This is primarily a matchup of grapplers, and both are outstanding on the mat, but I think striking will be the biggest difference in this fight. While neither is a world-class striker, Jandiroba relies on her grappling far more to earn her victories than Dern, having landed at least one takedown in all of her fights. Jandiroba typically holds a grappling advantage over her opponents, but Dern is one of the most accomplished female grapplers in the UFC and is not a fighter you can simply control on the mat. Dern has also proven impressively durable and shown steady improvement in her striking and confidence on her feet, seemingly more willing to keep a fight standing as she’s progressed through her UFC career. I expect Dern to deny the early takedown attempts from Jandiroba or find reversals on the ground and gain the dominant position, wearing down Jandiroba as Dern forces her to work hard to bring the fight to the mat. As the fight continues, I expect Jandiroba’s pace to slow and Dern to find more success on the feet before landing takedowns of her own, controlling the pace and location of the fight. Jandiroba is tough herself and not an easy out, so while I won’t predict a finish, I’m confident that Dern will be crowned the new Strawweight champion.

Tom Aspinall by KO/TKO: This is an outstanding matchup of two dangerous Heavyweights competing for gold. Aspinall, now officially the Heavyweight champ, looks to earn his first defense of the undisputed title, while Gane gets his third and possibly final attempt at the belt. Both of these fighters have excellent, well-rounded skillsets, but unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll see that this weekend. I don’t expect there to be much grappling in this fight, nor do I expect it to last very long. Gane is a very dangerous fighter in his own right, but Aspinall seems to be on another level than his competitors and possesses punching power that few can match or withstand. It feels like an exaggeration, but I believe Aspinall has the skill advantage anywhere that this fight goes. I believe he’s the more powerful, accurate striker, as well as the more dominant grappler, and I think Aspinall could finish this fight from anywhere. I expect Aspinall to get on the front foot early, forcing Gane to the outside, staying in his face, not allowing him to use his kickboxing skills, and making it a dogfight. As Aspinall controls the pace and the distance, I believe he will find the knockout blow sooner rather than later, and earn his first proper title defense.

UFC 321 Preview