Movement Martials is a combat sports account you should follow if you want to learn how to watch combat sports or even improve as an athlete.
Movement Martials is a brand account run by two pseudonyms. “Thick”, the strength and conditioning guru and “Kick”, the fight analyst.
I myself have done multiple podcasts with Kick where we discuss the intricacies of a single matchup.
Kick and I previewed Charles Oliveira’s fight with Ilia Topuria here:
This is an extremely underrated account that provides in depth analysis on combat sports as well as detailed strength and conditioning programs. In an era where rage bait content is generated for clicks, Movement Martials stands out to improve your consumption of combat sports content.
THE PACKAGE
Contained Chaos: Oliveira vs. Chandler Preview
Charles Oliveira is an offensive dynamo. From his kicks to clinch striking to submission game, Oliveira is in possession of every finishing weapon The problem is that he has not always chosen the right weapon for every encounter. Take the finishing sequence of his title loss to Makhachev. Oliveira enters from long to mid-range with a flying knee while Makhachev has all the space in the world behind him to retreat. He catches Makhachev primed to counter while he is still recovering his stance, leading to the knockdown. He has a lovely knee, but this was one of the worst times he could have thrown it, there was nothing to set this up or indicate its utility.
Redemption: How Charles Oliveira Splattered Beneil Dariush
The opponent’s lead hand is often in the way of the left hook, and the same is true for the jab that sets up his rear straight. The right high kick can cause significant damage (unlike most open-side right body kicks: no liver) and has a significant impact even through a guard.
The same way Edwards knocked Usman out and the strike Robert Whittaker hits on everyone, the 1-2 is something of a throwaway shot. If something hits, great, but the real object of the rear straight is to get the opponent to anticipate punches and dip out to avoid the strikes. Even better if they try and parry the 2 which lowers their guard. They avoid a flush punch but invite a shin to the dome. Though it is one of the most classic combinations in kickboxing, same-side punch and kick combinations remain a brilliant strategy to play with opponent’s expectations.
Preview from Movement Martials Substack
The full article can be found here:
Redemption: How Charles Oliveira Splattered Beneil Dariush by Movement Martials
Collar Ties are emblematic of MMA. A tool utilized for transitional offense, control, and defense: they are versatile. Just a hand upon the neck and a forearm in the opponent’s shoulder is integral to controlling the standing grappling of a fight rather than allowing yourself to get man handled by a larger grappler. Fight fans have long heard the story of when Anderson Silva forged his UFC star-making performance by brutalizing Rich Franklin with the double collar tie.
Oliveira employs the concept of pushing and pulling here as well. Oliveira pins Poirer agains the cage and pulls him into a hard knee to then post off the head to create space and throw an elbow in the open space.
Grappling Highlights from UFC 296 With a Dash of Charles Oliveira
Charles Oliveira was able to do this much more impressively against a slightly less worn version of Tony Ferguson without getting hurt by him in the process. Instead of diving on the single in an all-or-nothing attempt Oliveira cinches up the body lock in order to drive Ferguson to the cage. These moments along the cage give Oliveira time to adjust his grips and shove his knee under Ferguson’s shin.
With his body lock tightened and knee holding up Ferguson’s leg, he lifts Ferguson up and slams him down. Notably utilizing the body lock rather than single leg puts Oliveira into a more advantageous position while on top.
Preview from Movement Martials Substack
Full article can be found here:
Controlling the Scramble Grappler: UFC 296 by Movement Martials
Grappling Highlights from UFC 296 With a Dash of Charles Oliveira
Make sure you also check out Movement Martials mini trailer of Charles Oliveira’s Improved Wrestling
Movement Martials provides unique technical insights in all his articles. All of his articles have helped me improve my own analytical skills and I am positive that they will do the same for you.
Subscribing to Movement Martials is a step in the right direction to being a knowledgeable combat sports fan. The sport is a lot more enjoyable when you understand what’s going on. You won’t regret it.
BKFC Italy will see partisan favorite Alessio Sakara look to claim cruiserweight gold from reigning titleholder Chris Camozzi and an Irish bare knuckle legend fighting on that card has given his thoughts on the bout. The combatant being referenced here is Jimmy Sweeney, with this being his sophomore effort in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The multi-division BKB champion made his debut in BKFC at the last card that saw the promotion come to Italy, and Chris Camozzi was also headlining, defending his cruiserweight crown.
Sweeeny battles former welterweight title challenger Carlos Trinidad Snake on October 25th with that Saturday clash having big title eliminator potential attached to it. When asked for his thoughts on the Chris Camozzi vs. Alessio Sakara cruiserweight title fight that headlines this BKFC Italy event, Sweeney said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“That’s going to be a good fight. I’ve become good friends with Chris. He’s a great guy. A gentleman, an absolute gentleman. I haven’t seen much of Sakara. I’ve seen highlights of his last bare-knuckle fight, but he’s a legend in the fight game. So, it’ll be a very interesting fight. Yeah, Chris is coming into their backyard and obviously hoping to come away with the win again. But very interesting fight and I wish both of them the very best of luck.”
Chris Camozzi and Jimmy Sweeney have developed a bond since the last BKFC Italy card heading into this enxt foray into the world of Italian gloveless combat. The two have shown love to one another on social media.
With Sakara being such a legend of Italian combat sports, there should be a great turnout for that Italy card. When asked how much this bigger crowd and bigger overall presence for BKFC in another part of the world informs his temperament heading into this weekend, Sweeney stated [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah, of course. We got the bigger stadium. We done the smaller stadium in Florence, I think it was 5,000 maybe, something like that. I think this one’s about an 11,000 [seat] stadium. So massive, massive stadium. But whether they’re going to do the 11,000 or cut it down to maybe about 6,000, I don’t know yet. But massive stadium, massive fight card. Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it. This time I can get to watch a couple of fights. So I’m happy with that.”
UFC 321 took place tonight from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!
In the main event, heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall defended his undisputed title for the first time against former interim champion Ciryl Gane. In the co-main event, the vacant women’s strawweight championship was on the line as Virna Jandiroba faced Mackenzie Dern.
UFC 321 Results: Main Card
Heavyweight Championship: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane ends in no contest (accidental eye poke): R1, 4.35
We’re 24 hours away from UFC 321, and MMA News is here to bring you the video from the ceremonial weigh-ins for the card!
UFC 321 takes place on October 25 from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The main event will see Tom Aspinall defend the UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane. Aspinall became interim heavyweight champion at UFC 295 by defeating Sergei Pavlovich. He’d retain the interim title by defeating Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 and was then promoted to undisputed champion this past summer following the brief retirement of Jon Jones. Gane earned this title shot with his controversial decision win over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310.
The UFC women’s strawweight champion will find a new owner in the co-main event, as Virna Jandiroba takes on Mackenzie Dern. This is a rematch from UFC 256, which saw Dern earn a decision win. Jandiroba has won five straight entering this fight, while Dern has won three of five.
The rest of the main card will see former bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov face Mario Bautista, a heavyweight title eliminator between Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida, and a light heavyweight showdown featuring Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov.
The ceremonial weigh-ins present the last opportunity for opponents to face off before they meet inside the Octagon. Check them out below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel!
We are just one day away from UFC 321, and we’ve got the official weigh-in results for you here at MMA News.
UFC 321 takes place from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, featuring a number of noteworthy names topped off with two title fights.
The main event will see Tom Aspinall make his first defense as undisputed heavyweight champion, as he takes on Ciryl Gane. Aspinall became interim champion with a finish of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. He then retained the interim title by knocking out Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 before being promoted to undisputed champion following the (brief) retirement of Jon Jones.
Gane, a former UFC interim heavyweight champion himself, earned the title fight with a controversial decision win over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310.
A new strawweight champion will be crowned in the co-main event, as Virna Jandiroba takes on Mackenzie Dern. This will be a rematch of their fight from UFC 256 in December 2020, which saw Dern get the judges’ nod.
Jandiroba has won five straight, and she has won six of seven since the loss to Dern. Dern has had her ups and downs since their first fight, but she enters this fight off two straight wins and three wins in her last five fights.
UFC 321 Weigh-In Video, Results
UFC 321 takes place Saturday, October 25 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at a special 2 PM ET/11 AM PT start time, with the preliminary card starting at 10 AM ET/7 AM PT.
See above to watch the UFC 321 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below.
Main Card:
Heavyweight Championship: Tom Aspinall (255) vs. Ciryl Gane (247.5)
Women’s Strawweight Championship: Virna Jandiroba (115) vs. Mackenzie Dern (115)
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov (136) vs. Mario Bautista (135.5)
Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov (261.5) vs. Jailton Almeida (237)
Light Heavyweight: Aleksandar Rakic (205) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (205.5)
Preliminary Card:
Lightweight: Nasrat Haqparast (156) vs. Quillan Salkilld (155.5)
Middleweight: Ikram Aliskerov (185.5) vs. JunYong Park (185.5)
Lightweight: L’udovit Klein (156) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (155.5)
Heavyweight: Valter Walker (244) vs. Louie Sutherland (264.5)
Early Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood (146) vs. Jose Miguel Delgado (147*)
Heavyweight: Hamdy Abdelwahab (265) vs. Chris Barnett (261)
Flyweight: Azat Maksum (129**) vs. Mitch Raposo (125.5)
Women’s Strawweight: Jaqueline Amorim (116) vs. Mizuki (115)
*Delgado missed weight, penalty TBD **Maksum missed weight, fined 30 percent of his purse
Tyler Goodjohn is a former BKB champion, as well as someone who plied his trade in BKFC, which gives him unique insights into Jimmy Sweeney’s current situation. Sweeney is a former multi-division BKB champion with the Irish legend of gloveless combat seeking his first BKFC-specific win in his second bout with the promotion. Sweeney takes on Carlos Trinidad Snake this weekend and Goodjohn weighed in on that matchup when he appeared on Bare Knuckle Bowker.
There were some pre-pandemic talks about Goodjohn fighting Jimmy Sweeney which never materialized but there is some quasi connectivity between the two. When asked if he has any particular thoughts on that Sweeney vs. Trinidad Snake match up and if that bout could potentially cement that next BKFC welterweight title challenger for reigning champ Julian Lane, Goodjohn said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“Yeah, like look, I think that Jimmy fought really well against [Rico] Franco in their last fight actually. and showed that he’s got a lot left because what is he like early 40s?”
“and to be fair to Jimmy, he is like really drilling himself into shape. Like looks in very, very good shape every time he fights now.”
“So yeah, it’s down to him, isn’t it? It’s, you know, how he looks after himself, how much fire is there? You know, he’s had a lot of bare knuckle fights.”
“Is the fire the same? I personally think he’ll outpoint that [Carlos] Trinidad Snake. I do. I think that he’s just, he’s got; especially in that circle ring and that, I think that he’s got a very good style in there to be fair.”
Jimmy Sweeney and the bare knuckle icon who is seeking his first BKFC win
Jimmy Sweeney is in a truly unique spot in the bare knuckle world where some feel he has a certain amount to prove, relative to them being fixated on just the BKFC circuit, but people who follow the sport as a whole are well aware of his massive pedigree in this world. Not only does he have one of the deepest winning resumes in bare knuckle as far as cumulative bouts, but Sweeney also has an unparalled championship ledger in this world.
‘The King’ lived up to his namesake in many ways with BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing as Sweeney cemented himself as a seven time, four weight champion in the BKB space before making his BKB debut. Also of note, BKB utilizes day of weigh ins which meant that Sweeney had to cut weight for this first time in his career when debuting in BKFC, who utilize day before weigh ins.
After a competitive outing that saw him lose a rubber match to Rico Franco for BKFC European gold, Sweeney also appeared on Bare Knuckle Bowker and mentioned how he retained a lot from his BKFC debut that will make the weight cut for his sophomore BKFC outing so much smoother in comparison. Speaking of rubber matches, a tiebreaker bout could also materialize for Sweeney if he wins this weekend with the Irish legend splitting a pair of BKB fights with BKFC welterweight champion Julian Lane years ago.
UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen has given his thoughts on the conclusion of his UFC Vancouver main event against Reinier de Ridder.
Heading into his short notice showdown with Reinier de Ridder, Brendan Allen was considered to be a fairly big underdog. In the end, though, not only did he win, but he also forced RDR to quit on the stool between rounds.
While it was a huge moment for Brendan Allen, more fans focused on the fact that de Ridder fell short when he was so close to securing a UFC middleweight title shot. Either way, Allen marches forward in the middleweight division, whereas RDR needs to go back to the drawing board.
In a recent interview, Allen spoke openly about the moments leading up to the stoppage and how he felt about it in the immediate aftermath.
Brendan Allen discusses ending of Reinier de Ridder fight
“I said I would break him going into the fight, and I’ve broke guys before they just kind of like, just let things kind of happen, but never have I went with someone that they didn’t answer the bell. So, yeah, man. It’s very weird.”
“I was listening to my corner still when I saw his like, like out of my peripheral. I saw his corner uh you know like wave it off and then I saw him throw the towel. By the time they threw the towel I knew it was, it was over. So I was shocked but I also kind of expected in that moment because leading up to that moment my corner was like look he can’t even get off the ground like he’s still sitting there. Uh, so I kind of expected it.”
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has once again lashed out at UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria as rumors continue to circulate regarding a fight between the two.
For the longest time now, Paddy Pimblett has not been a big fan of Ilia Topuria – and you’d best believe that the feeling is mutual. ‘The Baddy’ is one of the most interesting fighters in the recent history of the promotion and that much goes without saying, but in terms of overall success, Topuria is head and shoulders above the Liverpudlian as a result of the two world titles he’s captured in the UFC.
Alas, following his win over Michael Chandler, many believed that Paddy Pimblett deserved to be the next challenger for Ilia Topuria. Alas, Justin Gaethje also seems to be in the running to get the call, but there’s been no official confirmation from the UFC either way. Whatever happens, it definitely feels like Topuria will serve as the headliner for UFC’s first big Paramount show in the new year.
In a recent interview, Pimblett once again poked fun at Topuria as the feud continues to gather momentum.
Paddy Pimblett goes OFF on Ilia Topuria and tells him to sign the contract 😳
"No one would know Ilia Topuria if it wasn't for me. He made himself famous off the back of my name…
He's so fake, like half of his followers. It's been proven half his followers on Instagram are… pic.twitter.com/SWrgw8c3Hd
“No one would know Ilia Topuria if it wasn’t for me. He made himself famous off the back of my name…
“He’s so fake, like half of his followers. It’s been proven half his followers on Instagram are bots. He’s just a McGregor copycat and I’m getting sick of him.
“He’s a German. He’s not even Spanish, he’s not even Georgian. He was born in Germany, he’s German.”
In case anyone doubted it, Tom Aspinall is as motivated as he’s ever been heading into UFC 321.
On Saturday night, Tom Aspinall will defend his UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321. In the eyes of many, Gane’s striking poses an interesting threat for Tom to deal with – but in equal measure, the speed and precision of Aspinall makes him one of the most dangerous heavyweights we’ve seen in the recent history of mixed martial arts.
Given how long he’s been away from the cage, some have questioned whether or not Tom Aspinall is still as driven as he once was to be world champion. After the Jon Jones fight fell through, it took some time before we got confirmation as to what his immediate future looked like – but the man himself insists that he’s been in the gym training and getting better this entire time.
In a recent interview, Aspinall gave his point of view on what it means to be a champion at the elite level.
Tom Aspinall is ready to defend his champion status
“I’m the champion. I fight the number one contender. That’s how, in my opinion, that’s how champions are supposed to work. It’s like, you’re the guy, you fight the next guy. Prove you the best. And, uh, you rinse and repeat that for as long as possible.”
Aspinall is ready, and based on recent evidence, the same can be said for his challenger Ciryl Gane.
UFC star Virna Jandiroba is ready to make her dreams come true in the co-main event of UFC 321 this weekend.
On Saturday night, Virna Jandiroba will go head to head with Mackenzie Dern for the UFC strawweight championship. In their first meeting five years ago, it was Dern who managed to come out on top – but this time around, the stakes are much higher, and Jandiroba is well aware of that.
The Brazilian sensation has slowly but surely been churning her way up through the rankings and now, at the age of 37, she’s ready to finally achieve the goal that she’s been shooting for ever since entering the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Of course, it’ll be easier said than done, but she is prepared for whatever Dern can throw her way.
Virna Jandiroba is ready to live out her dream
“It’s very good, you know? And dreaming, dreaming is very good. But achieving is even better. So seeing everything happen and living this moment for me is a tremendous fulfillment and that’s it.
“I think it is a huge personal and professional achievement. I’m very happy to be here. Dream of winning… do better. You know, we’ve been on this journey for a long time and finally on Saturday we’re going to be able to finally do it. And that’s a thing. It was a long road but now I’m finally here. I’m here to take the belt on Saturday.”
Get ready, fight fans, because Jandiroba is coming to take it all.
UFC legend Jon Jones has paid tribute to his brother Arthur Jones who passed away this month at the age of 39.
As we know, the Jones family has quite a legacy in the sports world. In addition to Jon Jones being one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, his brothers Arthur and Chandler both competed in the National Football League – with both winning a Super Bowl during their careers.
Unfortunately, as previously stated, Jon Jones’ brother Arthur passed away on October 3rd. In the following post, Jon paid tribute to his brother with a lovely message.
Arthur was not just a Super Bowl champion but a father, spouse, son, brother, everyone’s best friend, a gentle giant whose kindness and generosity knew no bounds.
“He had a love for the outdoors, whether it was duck hunting, fishing, or riding four wheelers with his family, he brought pure joy, warmth and laughter to every moment spent around him. Arthur’s generosity extended far beyond his friends and family. He was alway involved in local charities and gave back to the students and the community with an open heart.
“His legacy inspires me every day. Our dad Arthur Jones Jr, me, Chandler, Arthur Jones IV, and the rest of the family are committed to moving forward striving to be the best versions of ourselves, just as he would have wanted.
“King Arthur will truly be missed, he’s gone way too soon, but his spirit will live on in our hearts forever. Rest easy, big bro, you deserve it, you did amazing.”
The UFC brings a pair of title fights to its annual October pay-per-view outing in Abu Dhabi this Saturday for UFC 321. Get yourself ready and in the know with another edition of MMA News staff fight predictions.
The event will be available exclusively on ESPN pay-per-view on Saturday, October 25. The main card will begin at a special 2pm ET start time, with preliminary card action kicking off at 10am ET.
The main event will see the UFC heavyweight championship — and the title of baddest man on the planet — on the line as Tom Aspinall defends against Ciryl Gane.
This will be Aspinall’s first defense of the undisputed heavyweight title. He was promoted to undisputed champion after Jon Jones’ (brief) retirement in June; UFC CEO and President Dana White announced the move at the UFC Baku post-fight press conference. Aspinall had initially defeated Serghei Pavlovich at UFC 295 to become interim heavyweight champion, and he retained that interim title by finishing Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304.
Gane enters this fight off a controversial split decision win over Alexander Volkov at UFC 310. Gane has previously been interim heavyweight champion, defeating Derrick Lewis at UFC 265, but he has lost in undisputed title fights against Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones.
The co-main event will see a new champion crowned in the women’s strawweight division, as Weili Zhang will vacate the gold to move up and challenge Valentina Shevchenko at women’s flyweight next month. At UFC 321, either Virna Jandiroba or Mackenzie Dern will be crowned the new 115-pound champion.
This will be a rematch from UFC 256, which saw Dern win via decision. Jandiroba has won five straight and has won six of seven since the loss to Dern. Jandiroba enters this fight off a decision win over Yan Xiaonan at UFC 314 in April. Dern has won her last two and three of five, entering off a victory over Amanda Ribas in January.
The rest of the main card will see a bantamweight scrap between Umar Nurmagomedov and Mario Bautista, a heavyweight title eliminator featuring Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeieda, and light heavyweight clash featuring Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov.
UFC 321: MMA News Staff Predictions
With UFC 321 just a couple of short days away, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and myself (Thomas Albano) have provided our picks for the fights that make up the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through ten cards in 2025.
Pranav Pandey (27-20) Thomas Albano (27-20)
Ryan Jarrell (25-22)
And now, let’s take a look at everyone’s picks for UFC 321!
Light Heavyweight: Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov
Images: UFC.com, Zuffa
Pranav Pandey: This could turn out to be an intriguing striker-versus-striker battle. Aleksandar Rakic has hit a rough patch in his last three fights, though all of them were against former champions. “Rocket” remains a dangerous competitor with sharp stand-up skills and the experience of facing top-tier opponents. Azamat Murzakanov, on the other hand, carries the aura of a knockout artist and remains undefeated, but he hasn’t yet been truly tested against elite competition in the division. That experience gap could play in Rakic’s favor. I see this fight being competitive and capable of swinging either way, but in my opinion, Rakic’s experience give him the slight upper hand to walk away with the win. (Prediction: Rakic)
Thomas Albano: This is an interesting battle. On one hand, Aleksandar Rakic has experience and layoff that he’s currently on a three-fight losing streak and hasn’t had a win since 2021. Meanwhile, Azamat Murzakanov is on an impressive winning streak and continues to score highlight finish after highlight finish. On the other, Rakic’s losses in his current skid have come against Jan Blachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, and Magomed Ankalaev. Murzakanov, meanwhile, has not faced that kind of competition yet. I don’t have the greatest of feelings on this fight, but I’ll say Rakic’s experience helps get him a much-needed victory. This is as long as he keeps his distance and lands from there, while perhaps looking for opportunities to score takedowns. My fear is he gets into a firefight, and Rakic gets cracked. Hopefully Rakic has the IQ to stick to the smart gameplan. (Prediction: Rakic)
Ryan Jarrell: The last win that Alexander Rakic had in the UFC was his UD win over Thiago Santos all the way back in 2021. ‘Rocket’ has now lost three fights in a row and is desperate for a win. He has a tall task in front of him because Azamat Murzakanov is undefeated and is finishing people in impressive fashion. Rakic has the skillset to be the first man to hand Azamat a loss. But I just don’t think he will be able to get it done here. Murzakanov is used to sharing the cage with high level competition and he will be ready for what Rakic brings to the octagon on fight night. (Prediction: Murzakanov)
Consensus: 2-1 Rakic
Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
Images: UFC.com, UFC/YouTube
Pranav Pandey: Alexander Volkov makes his return to the Octagon nearly a year after the fight against Gane that slipped through his fingers. Even as he approaches the later stages of his career, the Russian has shown noticeable improvements in his striking, and his devastating reach continues to be a major asset. On the other side, Jailton Almeida is a dangerous and fresh challenger with slick submission skills. If he can weather Volkov’s striking storm and close the distance, I think Almeida could take this fight into his grappling world and look for a submission finish. (Prediction: Almeida)
Thomas Albano: Some are disappointed that Alexander Volkov is even in this title eliminator situation to begin with because they felt he defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 310. Unfortunately for them and him, this is the reality he’s in. He’s going to be taking on Jailton Almeida, whose grappling game has been proven to be dangerous for a weak UFC heavyweight division. This a huge opportunity for the rising Almeida; however, if Volkov continues to look the way he has of late, it’s not going to be easy. Volkov’s reach is always an issue, and his striking has looked on point in his most recent fights. Even at his age, he’s making one last (realistic) case for securing a title shot. And that might turn to reality here. Just like the light heavyweight showdown that opens the main card, experience wins here. (Prediction: Volkov)
Ryan Jarrell: This is such an intriguing matchup. The length of Alexander Volkov is always such a tricky puzzle to figure out. Volkov looked really good in his most recent fight with Ciryl Gane which ended in a split decision loss and left a lot of people upset at the judges decision. Almeida will be a very different stylistic matchup, but one that ‘Drago’ could very well pass. Both men are in their mid thirties so the time is now or never. I don’t feel confident one way or the other and I think this fight could end in a split decision. But I’ll take Volkov to have the bigger moments and win a tightly contested fight of the night candidate. (Prediction: Volkov)
Consensus: 2-1 Volkov
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: This matchup is a tricky one for me to predict. Umar Nurmagomedov has looked nearly unstoppable since joining the UFC, but his aura of invincibility took a hit when he faced the reigning bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, at UFC 311. In that fight, his signature weapon, the relentless takedown game, got neutralized, and his overall composure seemed to unravel. I think Mario Bautista, who in my opinion is one of the most relentless and quietly consistent fighters in the division, will try to replicate that same blueprint. His style may not be the flashiest, but it’s efficient and often enough to get the job done. I can see this fight turning into a back-and-forth battle where Bautista pushes the pace early and keeps Nurmagomedov uncomfortable throughout. In my opinion, Bautista’s work rate and pressure could be the deciding factors here, and I’m leaning toward him pulling off a gritty win. (Prediction: Bautista)
Thomas Albano: I think the common theme in this fight amongst those in MMA media making predictions is that Mario Bautista cannot be overlooked – whether you think he’s winning this fight or not. Bautista is on such a hot streak right now as he makes his way up the rankings, and if he pulls off the upset here, you have to imagine that’d earn Bautista a title eliminator – if not a title shot itself. But, Nurmagomedov’s grappling is next level, of course, and he nearly secured the bantamweight title himself by taking Merab Dvalishvili to the limit like no one has before since the start of the current champ’s long win streak. I expect Bautista to put up a strong effort but think it’s too much too quick in this case. (Prediction: Nurmagomedov)
Ryan Jarrell: The odds on this fight is a little surprising to me. Last I checked Umar was a -625 favorite which seems a little disrespectful to a guy in Bautista who has done nothing but beat elite competition. Mario is on a 8 fight win streak with wins over Jose Aldo, Ricky Simon and most recently, Patchy Mix. I am fully aware how good Umar is but I expect this fight to be a close one. Bautista is severely underrated and just might be the toughest matchup for the dominant champion. Give me Mario Bautista to surprise the MMA world and pull the upset here via split decision. (Prediction: Bautista)
Consensus: 2-1 Bautista
Women’s Strawweight Championship: Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: Mackenzie Dern got the better of Virna Jandiroba when they first met nearly five years ago at UFC 256, but a lot has changed since then. Dern has definitely added new layers to her game and shown flashes of improvement, yet her performances still feel hit-or-miss. That inconsistency makes it hard for me to back her with confidence this time around. On the other hand, “Carcará” has been on an absolute tear, putting together a dominant five-fight win streak against some top-level competition. Despite being a bit older than Dern, I think Jandiroba is the more complete fighter at this stage, more composed, and more calculated. With the strawweight title now up for grabs, I expect her to come in with extra fire and finally get her revenge. (Prediction: Jandiroba)
Thomas Albano: This is a rematch of their UFC 256 bout in December 2020, which saw Dern come away with a decision win – though if you ask some MMA fans, they’d feel that wasn’t the right call. Most MMA media, however, agreed with Dern getting the nod, and most are expecting she’ll get the nod again when they meet in a five-round fight with vacant gold on the line. While Jandiroba is an excellent grappler, she’s going to be in for a ride to try and do battle with the expert level, world championship caliber jiu-jitsu of Dern. Additionally, Dern has made strides in her striking, albeit it’s still not the greatest, and she has the power, size, and strength to give Jandiroba a hard time with pressure. All the signs in this one say Jandiroba puts up a fight, but it’s Dern who walks away the new champ at 115. (Prediction: Dern)
Ryan Jarrell: Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba met five short years ago and now the two top strawweight fighters will vie for the vacant strap in the co main event of a very exciting main card. The first go round saw Dern win a unanimous decision and I expect the same to happen in the rematch. Jandiroba has 14 submission victories in her career, but Dern is an elite BJJ practitioner and has never been submitted in her professional MMA career. I believe the physicality and strength that Dern possesses will help her win in the 50/50 scrambles and allow her to out point her way to the victory and title. (Prediction: Dern)
Consensus: 2-1 Dern
Heavyweight Championship: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane
Images: UFC.com
Pranav Pandey: This one’s a pretty easy call for me, I’m rolling with Tom Aspinall all day. Don’t get me wrong, Ciryl Gane is one of the most skilled heavyweights on the roster, but I just don’t see anything in his overall game that poses a serious threat to the reigning champ. “Bon Gamin” has looked slick in moments, but over the last couple of years, many of his performances have felt flat and uninspired, even in victory. Aspinall, on the other hand, is a complete package – fast, explosive, and absolutely lethal wherever the fight goes. I think he overwhelms Gane early with his pressure and speed, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a quick finish. In my opinion, Gane won’t be able to survive that early onslaught for long. (Prediction: Aspinall)
Thomas Albano: It’s a shame this fight isn’t taking place in Europe. Because while I know not everyone is excited about this fight, it’s still a heavyweight title fight and it features two of the best fighters out of that continent right now. That said, there’s clearly one better fighter here, and that’s the current heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall. Aspinall is a stud because he’s light on his feet with power in his hands. Can he take out Gane with power like he has most of the heavyweight division? Sure. But Gane is skilled and powerful on the feet as well. I see Aspinall pressuring Gane before ultimately doing the very same thing that Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones did in their title fights against Gane – get the fight to the ground. I expect Aspinall to score a takedown and finish the fight in the first round with either a submission or a TKO through some brutal ground-and-pound. (Prediction: Aspinall)
Ryan Jarrell: I am convinced that Tom Aspinall will go down as the greatest heavyweight the sport has ever seen. He obviously has the power of an elite heavyweight. But what may be more impressive is he moves like a welterweight. I just truly believe he is too dynamic for anyone in the division right now including Ciryl Gane. I will be shocked if this fight sees the second round and I expect Tom to finish Gane more impressively than Jon. (Prediction: Aspinall)
Consensus: 3-0 Aspinall
That’ll do it for our UFC 321 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section!
Also, you can check out the full UFC 321 card below.
Main Card:
Heavyweight Championship: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane
Women’s Strawweight Championship: Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista
Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
Light Heavyweight: Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov
Preliminary Card:
Lightweight: Nasrat Haqparast vs. Quillan Salkilld
Middleweight: Ikram Aliskerov vs. JunYong Park
Lightweight: L’udovit Klein vs. Mateusz Rebecki
Lightweight: Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Matheus Camilo
Early Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Valter Walker vs. Louie Sutherland
Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood vs. Jose Miguel Delgado
UFC 321 takes place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The event features two championship bouts, with Tom Aspinall defending his heavyweight title against former interim champion Ciryl Gane in the main event, and Virna Jandiroba facing Mackenzie Dern for the vacant women’s strawweight championship in the co-main event.
UFC 321 Event Date and Location
The event marks the UFC’s 22nd visit to Abu Dhabi and the organization’s first trip to the emirate since July 2025. UFC 321 will be held at the 18,000-capacity Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Global Start Times by Timezone and Region – What Time Is UFC 321?
The event operates on a three-tier broadcast structure, beginning with early prelims, followed by prelims, and culminating with the pay-per-view main card. What time does UFC 321 start in my country?
United States and Canada
Early Prelims: 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT Prelims: 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT Main Card: 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT Main Event Walkouts (approximate): 4:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM PT
United Kingdom and Ireland
Early Prelims: 3:00 PM BST Prelims: 5:00 PM BST Main Card: 7:00 PM BST Main Event Walkouts (approximate): 9:30 PM BST
United Arab Emirates
Early Prelims: 6:00 PM GST Main Card: 10:00 PM GST
India
Early Prelims: 7:30 PM IST Main Card: 11:30 PM IST
Australia
Early Prelims: 1:00 AM AEDT (Sunday, October 26) Main Card: 5:00 AM AEDT (Sunday, October 26)
For viewers in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory, the main card begins at 5:00 AM AEDT, while South Australia follows at 4:30 AM ACDT.
New Zealand
Main Card: 7:00 AM NZDT (Sunday, October 26)
Brazil
Early Prelims: 11:00 AM BRT Main Card: 3:00 PM BRT
How to Watch UFC 321
United States
Early Prelims: ESPN+, Disney+, and FX beginning at 10:00 AM ET Prelims: ESPN+, Disney+, and FX starting at 12:00 PM ET Main Card: ESPN+ Pay-Per-View at 2:00 PM ET
The UFC 321 pay-per-view is priced at $79.99 in the United States. Viewers do not require a UFC Fight Pass subscription to access prelims on ESPN+, though Fight Pass subscribers can also stream the early prelims.
United Kingdom and Ireland
Early Prelims: UFC Fight Pass beginning at 3:00 PM BST Prelims: TNT Sports 4 and TNT Sports Box Office starting at 5:00 PM BST Main Card: TNT Sports Box Office at 7:00 PM BST
The event costs £19.99 in the UK and €29.99 in the Republic of Ireland. TNT Sports Box Office can be accessed through multiple platforms without requiring a TNT Sports subscription. Viewers can purchase the event via Discovery+, Sky (channel 490), EE TV (channel 494), Amazon Prime Video, and Virgin Media TV.
Canada
The event streams live on DAZN pay-per-view in Canada. Prelims and the main card follow the same Eastern Time schedule as the United States, with early prelims at 10:00 AM EST and the main card at 2:00 PM EST.
Australia and New Zealand
Australian viewers can watch UFC 321 on Kayo Sports pay-per-view, with no Kayo Sports subscription required to purchase the event. In New Zealand, the event streams on Disney+, UFC Fight Pass, and Sky Sport Now beginning at 7:00 AM NZDT on Sunday, October 26. Sky Arena offers the event for NZD $44.95.
India
UFC 321 broadcasts on Sony Sports Network and streams on Sony LIV, with the main card beginning at 11:30 PM IST.
United Arab Emirates
Fans in the UAE can watch the event live on Starzplay.
UFC 321 Fight Card Breakdown
Main Card (ESPN+ PPV / TNT Sports Box Office)
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane – UFC Heavyweight Championship Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern – Vacant UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista – Bantamweight Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida – Heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov – Light Heavyweight
Preliminary Card (ESPN+ / TNT Sports 4)
Nasrat Haqparast vs. Quillan Salkilld – Lightweight Ikram Aliskerov vs. Jun Yong Park – Middleweight Ludovit Klein vs. Mateusz Rębecki – Lightweight Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Matheus Camilo – Lightweight Valter Walker vs. Louie Sutherland – Heavyweight Nathaniel Wood vs. Jose Miguel Delgado – Featherweight Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Chris Barnett – Heavyweight Azat Maksum vs. Mitch Raposo – Flyweight Jaqueline Amorim vs. Mizuki Inoue – Women’s Strawweight
Championship Context
Tom Aspinall was elevated from interim heavyweight champion to undisputed champion in June 2025 following Jon Jones’ retirement. The 32-year-old British fighter has not competed since July 2024, when he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in the first round at UFC 304 in Manchester. That victory marked Aspinall’s revenge following a 2022 TKO loss to Blaydes caused by a knee injury.
Aspinall holds a professional record of 15-3 and has been dominant inside the octagon, with seven of his eight UFC wins coming by first-round stoppage. His only UFC defeat, aside from the injury against Blaydes, occurred in that same 2022 bout.
Ciryl Gane enters UFC 321 with a 13-2 professional record and ranks as the number one contender in the heavyweight division. The 35-year-old French fighter has won 10 of his 12 UFC appearances, with his only losses coming in championship fights against Francis Ngannou at UFC 270 in 2022 and Jon Jones at UFC 285 in March 2023. Since the Jones defeat, Gane has secured consecutive victories over Serghei Spivac and Alexander Volkov, though his December 2024 win over Volkov was controversial.
The women’s strawweight title became vacant after two-time champion Zhang Weili moved up to flyweight to challenge for that division’s championship. Jandiroba holds a 22-3 record and has won six of her past seven fights, including five consecutive victories. Dern carries a 15-5 record and previously defeated Jandiroba by unanimous decision at UFC 256 in December 2020.
Additional Fight Week Activities
UFC 321 fight week includes several public events in Abu Dhabi. A public workout took place on Wednesday, October 23, at Yas Mall’s Town Centre from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, featuring the headline and co-main event fighters. The press conference was held on Thursday, October 24, at Etihad Arena starting at 5:00 PM. Official weigh-ins occurred Friday morning at 9:00 AM, followed by ceremonial weigh-ins open to the public at Etihad Arena from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
Jimmy Sweeney battles Carlos Trinidad Snake at BKFC Italy on October 25th, and the former realizes the magnitude of the moment and what it could potentially generate for him afterward.
This is a fight that would seemingly have title eliminator stakes attached to it as the Irish combatant fights the number two-ranked welterweight contender and a former title challenger for that crown in Trinidad Snake. This was also an opponent he asked for, and when asked what he thinks as he contemplates all of these variables, Jimmy Sweeney said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“So what it is with me is obviously I’ve been around this sport for a very, very long time. I’m 41 now, so I’m not a kid. The last fight I had, even though I felt like I won that fight, or a lot of people felt like I won it. I’ve had a very bad weight cut. Like it’s my first time ever to do a weight cut like that. So, I didn’t know what to expect from it. I didn’t know how to do it right. So I’ve dropped from about 80, 81, 82 kilos to about 73. Which is far too much.”
“Like I’m again, as I said, I’m 41 years of age. So my body just didn’t recover from it. And even though I want the fight, I made it very hard for myself over that weight cut. So for me, after that, it’s like, right, where do I go from here? What do I do? So I’m looking at the top five. I don’t want anyone outside the top five. So I spoke with my manager, Gabriel, and I said, “Look, Carlos is coming off a loss. I’m coming off a loss. I’m obviously the bigger name in this sport.”
“I think it makes an absolute great fight. Plus, a win over Carlos puts me straight into the top five. So for me, it just makes sense. Then obviously for him as well to fight someone [with] my credentials, it’s massive for him as well. So it was probably a win-win for both of us.”
Jimmy Sweeney: “I have to go in and prove them all wrong” in 2nd BKFC bout
Jimmy Sweeney was previously used to the day of weigh-ins with BKB as opposed to the methodology of BKFC‘s day before weight cut, but he has since course-corrected for his sophomore BKFC bout. Also, when referencing an Instagram post of his, the former multi-division BKB champion had where he touched on how he feels like he has a hell of a lot to prove in this fight and feels like many people are writing him off.
In that context when asked what he thinks the narrative is going to be after this fight this Saturday, Jimmy Sweeney stated [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],
“After that fight it’s like, they didn’t see the weight cut. Like everyone; you just have to watch the fight to know that I won the fight. But then it’s like oh, Jimmy’s too old now, he’s done with this and that. So for me now it’s; I have to go in and prove them all wrong. You know what I mean? Like and get that win because obviously you’re only as good as your last fight.”
Unfortunately, on paper, I’ve lost that fight. With Carlos being the world number two, people have me losing already. You know what I mean? So, to be fair, it’s like I’ve nothing to lose in this fight, you know what I mean? I’m the 41-year-old, old fighter coming in against this 26, 29-year-old, whatever he is. Young, young up and coming star, only lost one fight. So yeah, when I dominate and probably stop him, which I’m good enough to do that, a lot of people are going to get worried.”
UFC 321 is just a couple of days away, featuring a pair of title fights headlining the show. Time to stir the pot more and gain more hype for UFC 321, courtesy of a good ol’ fashion question-and-answer session.
The 11th UFC pay-per-view event of the year goes down from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Saturday, October 25.
UFC 321 will be headlined by Tom Aspinall defending the UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane.
The co-main event will see a new UFC women’s strawweight champion crowned when Virna Jandiroba rematches Mackenzie Dern.
The rest of the main card features a bantamweight battle between Umar Nurmagomedov and Mario Bautista, a heavyweight title eliminator featuring Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida, and a light heavyweight showdown as Aleksandar Rakic takes on Azamat Murzakanov.
Watch The UFC 321: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane Pre-Fight Press Conference
As per tradition, the UFC pay-per-view main card participants will be featured in a press conference during fight week. This is the opportunity for fighters to answer questions from media and fans, as well as potentially lay in some smack talk on their opponents.
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall disagrees with fans and media members who are downplaying Ciryl Gane’s abilities ahead of UFC 321.
On Saturday night, Tom Aspinall will defend his heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. While many believe that the Englishman is the obvious favorite to leave with the championship wrapped around his waist, others think that Gane serves as a pretty interesting underdog in this fight.
Either way, it’s a fight that has been brewing for quite some time now with both guys long since being viewed as the next generation of heavyweight stars. If Gane wins, a rematch seems likely down the line – but even if he doesn’t, this first fight is bound to answer a lot of questions about where both guys are at in their respective careers.
In a recent interview, Tom Aspinall made it clear that those who don’t believe Ciryl Gane deserves to be here are wrong.
Tom Aspinall praises Ciryl Gane
“I think there’s this notion with the media and maybe the fans that Ciryl is not very good, which is just complete bullsh*t,” Aspinall told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I think that he’s really, really good. He’s super talented, he’s been at the top of the division for a number of years, which is not easy to do.
“He’s been an interim champion himself. He’s obviously had two title shots for the undisputed title, as well, so I think the guy is really good. I’ve took him extremely, extremely seriously. The fact that people expect it to be an easy fight, I don’t read into that at all. I’m prepared for a really hard fight.”
UFC legend Max Holloway has made his feelings known when it comes to bare-knuckle boxing and slap fighting.
One thing we all know to be true is that Max Holloway is an absolute icon in the world of mixed martial arts. Throughout the course of his incredible career, he has been able to accomplish some incredible things. Along the way, he’s also fought some of the best to ever do it, which tells you a lot about the kind of warrior mentality he has.
Of course, there are limits to what a fighter is willing to do. Alongside mixed martial arts and boxing, there’s recently been a surge in interest with regards to bare-knuckle boxing and slap fighting, with the latter being something that UFC boss Dana White is heavily involved in.
During a recent stream, Max Holloway made his feelings pretty clear on both of these forms of combat.
Max Holloway is NOT interested in fighting Bare Knuckle 😭
“That’s the most stupidest thing ever in the world. When I’m retired, I’m retired bro.”
Max Holloway gives his thoughts on bare-knuckle and slap fighting
“I ain’t ever going to bare-knuckle fighting. That’s the most stupidest thing ever in the world,” Holloway said on a recent live stream (h/t Championship Rounds). “When I’m retired, I’m retired. I’ll maybe do a boxing match but not a bare-knuckle one. That’s f*cking ridiculous.
“People that do that, it’s next level. People that do slap, bare-knuckle, bro, you guys are crazy. You guys are actually crazy. Like, the slap one is so nuts. Like, why would I want to stay there and just be like, ‘Yeah, you can slap me, I slap you.’ That’s f*cking crazy.”
UFC star Ciryl Gane has said he won’t be bothered if Tom Aspinall decides to put his hand on his shoulder ahead of their fight this weekend.
On Saturday night, Tom Aspinall will defend the UFC heavyweight championship against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321. It serves as a big moment for both men as Tom attempts to further prove the hype is real, whereas Gane wants to break his 0-2 record in world title fights in the UFC.
Of course, both men are known for being great strikers, and we expect to see that on full display in this encounter. In one of his previous big fights, Aspinall put his hand on the shoulder of his opponent Sergei Pavlovich right before the fight began, which some saw as a strange move at the time, and others saw as a sign of respect.
In a recent interview, Ciryl Gane made it clear that he doesn’t mind it Aspinall does the same thing to him.
Ciryl Gane’s view on Tom Aspinall’s pre-fight Pavlovich move
“I saw the talk about Tom putting his hand on opponents’ shoulders. For me, I’m going to let him do this — it means nothing. Maybe that didn’t come from him, maybe it came from people around him. But me, I don’t take that kind of thing personally. It’s not smart to play mind games.”
Regardless of what happens before the fight, the actual bout itself is what looks set to be one of the most intriguing features of the MMA calendar this year.
UFC star Bo Nickal has explained his previous comments regarding his ability to “ragdoll” Khamzat Chimaev if they ever fought.
While Bo Nickal had an incredibly bright start to his mixed martial arts career in the wake of his sensational run in amateur wrestling, many weren’t big fans of how confident or ‘cocky’ he was being in the media. Then, when he was beaten decisively by Reinier de Ridder, there were even more questions regarding his long term future in the sport.
Of course, Bo Nickal is a champion at heart and he wants to go out there and prove he can hang with the very best. Bo has plenty of experience when it comes to dealing with adversity and when he battles Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 322, he’ll be hoping that he can showcase what he’s been able to learn ever since his loss to RDR earlier this year.
Once upon a time, Bo Nickal suggested that he would ragdoll Khamzat Chimaev if they ever met in a competitive environment, which certainly raised a few eyebrows. In a recent interview, he decided to clarify exactly what he meant by that.
Bo Nickal backtracks on Khamzat Chimaev comments
“All the stuff I said about ragdolling him — that was about wrestling, not an MMA fight. In a straight-up freestyle or collegiate match, it’s not competitive. I’m a three-time national champ, a world champion — I’ve beaten the best in the world. But in MMA, that’s a war. That’s a scrap. I’ve got to win fights first, but one day that matchup would be incredible.”
Ciryl Gane can potentially end up on the throne of UFC’s heavyweight division after this weekend and would welcome a challenge from Alex Pereira if ‘Poatan’ jumped up into the weight category. Gane is vying for the heavyweight crown once again, with the former interim champion hoping that the adage of the third time’s the charm will shine through after two failed bids at the undisputed crown previously.
On October 25th, Gane will try to claim the strap from UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, with the title challenger taking part in media obligations at the UFC 321 pre-fight media day proceedings. When an on-site media member mentioned past comments from Pereira about being curious about a heavyweight move and what the former UFC interim champion would think of the UFC’s light heavyweight champion moving up, in video footage provided by MMA Junkie, Gane said,
“Alex Pereira at heavyweight? Beautiful idea. He’s a very dangerous fighter, very marketable, a beautiful story. He’s built himself so well, and like Jon Jones, he can make that move. It’s exciting to watch.”
Ciryl Gane feels no pressure regarding his drought in undisputed UFC title bids
Ciryl Gane does not seem to have a meaningful shadow cast over him from his previous title fights with Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou not panning out for him.
The French fighter was questioned at the same referenced pre-fight media day if those Jones and Ngannou setbacks played into his mindset at all, as Gane stated [via Lowkick MMA],
“The pressure is less this time, for sure. I remember my first big fight against Francis Ngannou — the storytelling, the media, everything around it was huge.”
“And then there was Jon Jones — still a big fight but a little less noise. For Tom, there’s less pressure again. I feel calmer, more focused.”
Gane could also find himself in a similar historical spot to someone like Chael Sonnen insofar as a title challenger who put together a 0-3 ledger in undisputed title bids.
UFC star Mackenzie Dern has reflected on the journey that led her to competing for a world title this weekend.
On Saturday night, Mackenzie Dern will face Virna Jandiroba for the vacant UFC strawweight championship. This moment has been a long time coming for both fighters, and it takes place five years after their first battle – which Dern was able to win. Of course, both are at very different points in their career now, and this is the biggest opportunity either of them has ever had.
For Mackenzie Dern, this is the moment for her to try and live up to the potential that many believe she’d had ever since entering the promotion. While she’s experienced her fair share of setbacks, Dern has been able to bounce back time and time again – and now, she’s ready to grab that gold with both hands.
In a recent interview, Mackenzie Dern made it known that she still has to pinch herself about how her career has played out up to this point.
Mackenzie Dern reflects on UFC journey
“It’s crazy, it’s like I still need to pinch myself. Not that I don’t think I deserve it, but it’s crazy to see how everything worked out through all the ups and downs. I never imagined that a win five years ago would set me up for this moment the way it did.”
Of course, it must be said that Jandiroba has also been on an incredible journey, and she’ll be just as motivated to get over that finish line.
The Brazilian-American strawweight Mackenzie Dern has built her UFC career around this shoulder lock, turning what many consider a low-percentage submission into her signature weapon. Soon she will be competing for the vacant strawweight world title at UFC 321. Ahead of her October 25 matchup, she reflected on her championship career in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Mackenzie Dern’s Favorite Submission
On her favorite submission, speaking during a pre-fight UFC 321 press conference, she explained:
“My favorite submission is the omoplata. I attack it a lot — I did it against Amanda Ribas, Marina Rodriguez, Yan Xiaonan. Even if I don’t finish it, it’s always there. But whatever happens, I just see myself winning.”
Omoplata
The omoplata might not look like much from the outside, but for Mackenzie Dern, it represents a blend of technique, strategy, and opportunity. The omoplata, which means “scapula” in Portuguese, uses the legs and hips to hyperextend an opponent’s shoulder joint beyond its normal range of motion. The technique involves placing one leg under the opponent’s armpit and rotating 180 degrees, with the leg moving over the opponent’s back and around their arm. The submission is completed by controlling the opponent’s body and applying pressure to force the shoulder into an unnatural position.
What makes Dern’s relationship with the omoplata particularly fascinating is how she employs it as a multi-tool rather than just a finishing move. Against Marina Rodriguez in 2021, Dern secured an omoplata on Rodriguez’s back but couldn’t complete the submission before time expired. Similarly, in her battle with Yan Xiaonan, she used the omoplata to transition into an arm triangle choke, demonstrating the technique’s versatility as a gateway to other attacks.
UFC and BJJ
Her most recent victory against Amanda Ribas showcased this perfectly. With about a minute remaining in the second round, Dern threw up an omoplata to escape a bad position, using it as a defensive tool before eventually winning via armbar in the third round. This sequence highlighted how the omoplata serves multiple purposes in her game.
Dern’s mastery of this technique stems from her extraordinary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu background. She holds a third-degree black belt under her father Wellington “Megaton” Dias, himself a coral belt and BJJ legend. Her competitive resume reads like a who’s who of grappling achievements: 2015 ADCC World Champion, multiple-time IBJJF World Champion, and the only female competitor to win gold medals at all five major IBJJF Gi championships.
Her father’s influence cannot be overstated. Wellington Dias, who earned his nickname “Megaton” for his explosive judo-inspired throws, received his black belt from Royler Gracie at age 18 and became the first coral belt to compete at IBJJF World Championships. This lineage shows in Mackenzie’s technical approach.
In the UFC, Dern currently holds the record for most submission wins in the women’s strawweight division with five, tied for second-most in all UFC women’s divisions. Her submission rate of 53% across 20 professional fights demonstrates how effectively she translates her grappling skills to mixed martial arts.
The technique’s effectiveness lies in its deceptive nature. While opponents prepare for Dern’s more obvious submission threats like armbars and rear naked chokes, the omoplata often appears organically from scrambles and transitions. Against Tecia Torres, she had both kimura and leg lock opportunities but acknowledged being “too respectful” with her finishing attempts. This mindset shift toward a more aggressive approach has coincided with her recent success.
Dern’s use of the omoplata also is related to larger changes in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Once considered a low-percentage technique, the omoplata gained prominence in the 1990s through innovators like Nino Schembri. Today, it’s recognized as both submission and sweeping mechanism, exactly how Dern employs it in the octagon.
UFC 321
Her recent performance against Amanda Ribas demonstrated this evolution perfectly. Rather than hunting for the finish at all costs, Dern used the omoplata threat to create scrambles, improve positions, and ultimately set up the fight-ending armbar.
Mackenzie Dern is looking to use her favorite submission, the omoplata, this weekend when she faces Virna Jandiroba for the UFC strawweight world title live from Abu Dhabi.
Mike Malott doesn’t feel like the low shots landed to Kevin Holland were of a damaging magnitude that the latter presented it to be. Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, the Canadian combatant discussed several subjects in the fall out of his big win on home spoil.
Malott was the partisan favorite at UFC Vancouver and emerged with a win over a tenured UFC vet in Holland but the victory did not come without a touch of controversy attached to it. Low blows took place throughout the bout with Holland being on the receiving end of the errant shots with some detractors describing Malott as a dirty fighter in the wake of those illegal strikes.
When touching on those aforementioned elements of what happened in the British Columbia-based co-main event, Malott said,
“It definitely wasn’t the groin shot that it was acted out to be. There might have been a brushing of the cup, but I mostly hit him in the belt line, hip area.”
“I was a little bit frustrated with it especially afterwards. It wasn’t a bad groin shot. I think he really wanted a point deducted and I think there was a little bit of embellishment there.”
Mike Malott and Kevin Holland’s tense post-fight exchange at UFC Vancouver
Mike Malott and Kevin Holland fought things out in the confines of the cage. But there was a certain level of interacting after their clash following the debacle with the low blows and the officiating oversights some saw in how that was all handled. During the embedded interview above with Helwani, Malott mentioned that he went to apologize to Holland backstage but that the gesture was not accepted.
As the surging welterweight touched on the fact that he was sorry about the unintentional low strikes, Malott mentioned Holland responded by describing that as cheap. Mike Malott also mentioned that the UFC Canada cameras were following him and captured an instance of Holland stating how he could not respect Malott going forward after what had just transpired.
UFC star Maycee Barber has spoken about why she believes any issues regarding weight cuts are now firmly in the past.
Following a long spell on the shelf due to injury, Maycee Barber is set to return to the cage later this year at UFC 323. She will battle Karine Silva and if she’s able to pick up a comprehensive victory, there’s every chance that she could be just one or two more wins away from a championship opportunity. Of course, one of the big parts of earning that would be proving that she’s 100% healthy.
Maycee Barber has struggled with both weight cuts and injuries in her career, leaving some to wonder whether or not she’ll truly be able to live up to her potential. Alas, it certainly feels like the 27-year-old is starting to come out the other side of it, which can only be a good thing for the women’s flyweight division.
In a recent interview, Barber spoke candidly about her health problems and any role that had in her weight cuts in the past.
Maycee Barber discusses weight cutting and health concerns
“We put our bodies through a lot — especially as females. We’re asking them to train, perform, cut weight, and still function normally. At the end of the day, we’re still human. I don’t think my problems came from weight cutting; I think my health issues actually played a part in that cut.
“I’m one of those fighters who will go until someone tells me to stop, and unfortunately, this time it was my own body — and the entire UFC — saying, ‘You can’t do this right now.’”
MMA legend Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller has given his thoughts on the potential superfight that’s brewing between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones.
Ever since his iconic win at UFC 320, Alex Pereira has been making it known that he is interested in squaring off with Jon Jones in a blockbuster superfight. If it happens, you’d have to imagine that the goal would be for it to take place on the UFC White House card, perhaps serving as the main event of the show.
Alex Pereira clearly respects Jon Jones and vice versa, but Dana White hasn’t been willing to commit to putting ‘Bones’ on the card – largely because of how he handled the Tom Aspinall situation.
In a recent interview, the aforementioned ‘Mayhem’ Miller weighed in on what he believes should happen.
Jason Miller’s view on Alex Pereira vs Jon Jones
“100% should happen. 100% should happen.”
“Well, Jon Jones I see that fight a lot closer than people would think. Everyone likes to defer, ‘Oh, Jon will win that one.’ And that is the inkling in the back of my head. He’s a more complete martial artist and at this stage in his career bigger.”
“Do I want Poatan to win? Yeah. Yeah. A little bit. I do. Because this guy has the romantic story. I don’t know, all that story could be fluff they made up. But man, working at the tire shop, some manly stuff. Hey, I did that myself… He went through his struggles. He overcame it. Kickboxing champion.”
