Abu Dhabi is back to hosting an annual numbered UFC event with a stacked fight card for Saturday.
The main event is an unmissable heavyweight title bout between champion Tom Aspinall and challenger Ciryl Gane.
The co-headliner is for the vacant women’s strawweight belt between Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern in a long-awaited rematch.
However, there are five other fights worth watching for Combat Sports fans at UFC 321.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs Mario Bautista
Arguably a bantamweight title eliminator, which sees the victor face the winner of UFC 323’s headliner.
Nurmagomedov suffered the first defeat of his MMA career, losing to Merab Dvalishvili for the championship by unanimous decision at UFC 311.
Before his first loss, the Russian had six fights in the UFC, winning all of those bouts in convincing fashion.
The #2 contender has only nine finishes from 18 victories, but all of his decision wins have ended unanimously.
Bautista has gone from being a promising prospect to the next potential title challenger after earning an eight-fight win streak.
The 32-year-old comfortably beat Patchy Mix at UFC 316 to contest for a position near the top of the bantamweight rankings.
The #9 contender prefers to win his battles by submission, earning six tap-outs or choke-outs as well as three TKO triumphs.
Both mixed martial artists have a bright future ahead of them if they are victorious in their scheduled three-round bout.
Alexander Volkov vs Jailton Almeida
Speaking of title eliminators, we have one in the heavyweight division between two talented contenders.
Volkov lost a controversial split decision to Gane at UFC 310, with many in the MMA community believing he won.
Before the loss, ‘Drago’ was on a four-fight win streak, defeating the likes of Sergei Pavlovich, Tai Tuivasa and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Twenty-four of the Russians’ 38 victories have ended by KO/TKO, as he is a formidable opponent on the feet.
Almeida earned back-to-back wins after defeating Serghei Spivac by first-round TKO at UFC 311.
The Brazilian was on an incredible climb to the top of the division until Curtis Blaydes beat him at UFC 299.
In all of the #5 contender’s victories, he has only gone the distance once, winning eight by KO/TKO and 13 by submission.
Both men have yet to be involved in a title fight, but one of them will finally seize that opportunity.
Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov
It’s veteran vs prospect at 205lbs with both fighters being incredible knockout artists.
Rakic is standing on a three-fight losing streak after his last defeat came last year against Magomed Ankalaev by unanimous decision at UFC 308.
The Serbian made his UFC debut with impressive wins over Jimi Manuwa, Anthony Smith, and Thiago Santos.
Out of 14 wins in his MMA career, ‘Rocket’ has won nine of his bouts by KO/TKO due to his vicious punches and kicks.
Murzakanov remains undefeated in his career after taking out Brendson Ribeiro in the first round by knockout at UFC 316.
‘The Professional’ has only had five UFC battles, only going the distance once, which came against Dustin Jacoby in April 2023.
The #10 contender has 12 finishes in MMA, including 11 knockouts, making him a huge striking threat.
The Russian is prepared to rise the light heavyweight rankings, but Rakic wants to maintain his position by claiming redemption.
Ludovit Klein vs Mateusz Rebecki
An engaging and potentially highly entertaining war takes place at lightweight between two Europeans.
Klein lost his seven-fight unbeaten streak after suffering an unanimous decision defeat to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Vegas 107.
The Slovakian earned very credible wins against Ignacio Bahamondes and Thiago Moises during his unbeaten run.
With 23 victories, ‘Mr. Highlight’ has stopped 17 fights, holding nine KO/TKO wins and eight submissions.
Despite losing by unanimous decision, Rebecki earned his second consecutive Fight of the Night bonus against Chris Duncan at UFC Vegas 108.
The 32-year-old’s previous entertaining fight was in Abu Dhabi at UFC 308 last year, defeating Myktybek Oralbai by split decision.
The Polish mixed martial artist lays claim to 16 finishes with nine knockouts and seven submissions.
If there is a guaranteed war at UFC 321, it will undoubtedly be this one, so strap yourself in for this 155-pound battle.
Nathaniel Wood vs Jose Delgado
Two unranked fighters who have the potential to enter the featherweight rankings.
Wood made it two wins in a row after beating Morgan Charriere by unanimous decision at UFC London.
‘The Last Kingsman’ has been in the UFC since June 2018, winning nine of 12 fights in the organisation.
The Englishman can win in any style, earning eight KO/TKO victories and five submissions in his MMA career.
Delgado continued to shine in the UFC after winning his second fight in just 26 seconds by knockout at UFC 317.
The Arizona-born fighter fights for the third time this year after earning his debut win at UFC Vegas 102, winning by first-round knockout again this time against Connor Matthews.
The 27-year-old has a 100% finish rate, with six KO/TKO wins and four submissions, stopping seven opponents in round one.
If there is an underrated fight which deserves some attention and recognition, it’s definitely this 145lbs battle.
