UFC 321, held in Abu Dhabi on October 14, 2023, concluded without a new heavyweight champion following a controversial no contest. The main event, featuring Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, ended prematurely due to an accidental eye poke just moments before the end of the first round. This outcome leaves the heavyweight division in a state of uncertainty, with fans and analysts alike calling for an immediate rematch between the two fighters.
Given the circumstances, the UFC is likely to schedule a rematch for Aspinall and Gane. The fighters were evenly matched in the initial round, raising expectations for a thrilling continuation. The most favorable date for this anticipated bout appears to be UFC 323 on December 6, 2023, in Las Vegas. If Aspinall has not sustained any lasting eye damage, securing this rematch promptly seems essential, as both fighters are already in shape and prepared for the challenge.
Mackenzie Dern emerged victorious at UFC 321, defeating Virna Jandiroba by decision to claim the women’s strawweight title. Dern’s journey to the championship has been notable; she has participated in 16 UFC fights since her debut. The next logical contender for Dern’s title is Tatiana Suarez, who previously challenged for the belt in February against former champion Zhang Weili.
Should Zhang lose her upcoming fight against Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title on November 15, 2023, she could consider returning to the strawweight division, setting up a potential showdown with Dern. The UFC could either arrange a fight between Dern and Suarez or let Zhang face the winner, depending on the results of Zhang’s upcoming title fight.
In the bantamweight division, the winner of the upcoming bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan on December 6 could be in line for a title shot. Dvalishvili has already defended his title twice since defeating Khabib Nurmagomedov’s last challenger, and a victory over Yan would make him the first in UFC history to win four title fights in a single year. Both fighters present a strong case for challenging the current champion, Nurmagomedov, who needs new contenders to maintain an active title scene.
Another intriguing possibility involves Sean O’Malley, who is rumored to have a fight scheduled for January. Depending on the outcome of that fight, O’Malley could also contend for the title against Nurmagomedov. While this matchup may not happen next, it remains a compelling option for the future.
In the light heavyweight category, Igor Murzakanov solidified his status as a contender with a decisive victory over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321. His undefeated record positions him as a serious player for the championship, and the winner of the December 6 fight between Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov could provide a significant next challenge. Blachowicz, despite not having won in over three years, is ranked No. 4, while Guskov is looking to elevate his status within the top five.
Additionally, Magomed Ankalaev is in a challenging position, needing to secure at least one victory, if not two, to regain his title shot. Regardless of his next opponent, a matchup against Murzakanov would be a significant step up in competition.
As UFC 321 concludes, the immediate future of the heavyweight division and other weight classes appears ripe for excitement. Fans eagerly await the rematch between Aspinall and Gane, along with the potential title defenses and challenges that lie ahead for the newly crowned champions and contenders.
