UFC 321 Main Event: Aspinall vs Gane Ends No-Contest, Dern Captures Strawweight Title

Tom Aspinall is a British mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s heavyweight division, widely recognized for his athleticism, technical skill, and rapid ascent in one of MMA’s most competitive weight classes[1]. Born on April 11, 1993, in Salford, England, Aspinall grew up in a martial arts family—his father is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and coach, which provided Aspinall with an early foundation in combat sports[1]. He began training in jiu-jitsu as a child, later expanding his repertoire to include boxing and wrestling, and briefly pursued a professional boxing career before fully committing to MMA[1]. Aspinall made his professional MMA debut in 2014 and quickly gained attention for his explosive power and agility—traits not commonly associated with heavyweights[1]. After building a strong regional record, he signed with the UFC in 2020 and immediately made an impact with a series of first-round finishes, showcasing both his striking and submission abilities[1]. Notable victories include a submission win over seasoned veteran Andrei Arlovski in July 2021 and a dominant first-round submission against Alexander Volkov as the main event of UFC London in March 2022[1]. These performances established him as one of the division’s most exciting prospects and a potential future title challenger. Standing 6’5” and weighing around 255 lbs, Aspinall combines size with uncommon speed and technical versatility[4]. His professional record reflects a high finishing rate, with the majority of his wins coming by knockout or technical knockout[4]. As of late 2025, Aspinall remains a central figure in the UFC heavyweight division. His recent high-profile bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke, leaving the division’s title picture unresolved and fueling anticipation for a potential rematch[3]. Despite this setback, Aspinall’s combination of youth, skill, and finishing ability ensures he remains a key player in the ongoing evolution of the UFC heavyweight landscape[3].

Ciryl Gane, born on April 12, 1990, in La Roche-sur-Yon, France, is a prominent French mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he has held the position of Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. Gane began his career in Muay Thai at the age of 24, achieving national and international titles before transitioning to MMA in 2018. He joined the UFC in 2019 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional movement and striking technique, which is rare for a heavyweight fighter[1][2][3]. Gane's MMA career highlights include victories over renowned fighters such as Junior dos Santos, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Alexander Volkov. These wins have solidified his position as a top contender in the UFC heavyweight division. As of June 24, 2025, he ranked #1 in the UFC heavyweight rankings[1][2]. Gane's performance in the UFC has earned him significant recognition, with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses[3]. In addition to his MMA career, Gane has also ventured into acting. He has appeared in several films and shows, including "K.O.Stream," "La Cage," and "Coach Hakim"[7]. His nickname, "Bon Gamin," reflects his affable persona outside the octagon[4]. Recently, Gane was involved in a highly anticipated fight against Tom Aspinall at UFC 321. However, the bout was ruled a no contest due to an accidental eye poke by Aspinall, leading to discussions about a potential rematch[6]. Despite this setback, Gane remains a key figure in the UFC heavyweight division, with ongoing relevance and anticipation surrounding his future fights.

Mackenzie Dern, born March 24, 1993, in Phoenix, Arizona, is a prominent Brazilian-American mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner. She is widely recognized as one of the top female grapplers globally, holding a black belt in BJJ, and has transitioned successfully into professional MMA competition[1][2]. Dern began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of three under the guidance of her father, Wellington Dias, a renowned BJJ black belt, and her stepmother, Luciana Tavares, also a black belt. She quickly excelled in the sport, winning world championships at every belt level before earning her black belt before age 20. Early in her career, Dern dominated grappling tournaments and secured victories in prestigious competitions such as the European Open and Copa Podio[1]. She made her MMA debut in 2016 with Legacy Fighting Alliance and later competed in Invicta Fighting Championship, where she won her debut by armbar submission. Since 2018, Dern has been competing in the UFC’s women's strawweight division, fighting under the RVCA team and standing 5'4" tall with a 63-inch reach. She is known for her strong submission skills, with half of her MMA wins coming via submission[2][3][5]. Dern has achieved notable success in the UFC, including winning the vacant women's strawweight title by submitting Amanda Ribas. Her career includes high-profile fights against top contenders such as Jessica Andrade and Claudia Gadelha. She remains an active and relevant figure in women's MMA, frequently competing and maintaining a strong presence in the strawweight rankings as of late 2025[3][4]. Raised between the United States and Brazil, Dern is fluent in Portuguese and often integrates her Brazilian heritage into her fighting style and training. Her background and skills have made her a prominent ambassador of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in MMA[2].

Virna Jandiroba is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the women's strawweight division. Born on May 30, 1988, in Serrinha, Bahia, Brazil, Jandiroba is known by her nickname "Carcara." She trains out of Academia Fight House and has established herself as a top contender in the UFC, the premier organization for MMA. Jandiroba began her professional MMA career in 2013, quickly building an undefeated record before joining Invicta FC, where she captured the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship. Her fighting style is a blend of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai, and Kung Fu, with a particular emphasis on submissions. She is renowned for her technical grappling and has secured numerous victories via armbar, including notable wins over Amanda Lemos and Felice Herrig. Jandiroba made her UFC debut in 2019 and has since become a consistent force in the strawweight division. As of 2025, she holds a professional record of 19 wins and 3 losses, with the majority of her victories coming by submission. Her recent performances have kept her ranked among the top fighters in her weight class. In October 2025, Jandiroba faced Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event of UFC 321 for the vacant UFC women's strawweight title. The bout was highly anticipated, as both fighters were on winning streaks and vying for championship gold. Jandiroba entered the fight with a five-fight win streak, further solidifying her status as a leading figure in women's MMA. Her career continues to be marked by technical excellence, resilience, and a deep connection to her Brazilian roots.