Jun 7, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Quillan Salkilld (red gloves) fights Yanal Ashmouz (blue gloves) during UFC 316 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Championship fights are supposed to provide definitive answers and clear paths forward for divisions. UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi promised exactly that with two title fights headlining the card. But the MMA gods had different plans that left everyone feeling frustrated and confused. The main event ended in disaster while the co-main event produced a new champion. Several rising contenders made statements throughout the night despite the heavyweight title chaos overshadowing everything.
From devastating knockouts to controversial decisions, UFC 321 delivered a mixed bag of emotions and outcomes. Some fighters capitalized on their opportunities while others became collateral damage of circumstances beyond their control. The event created more questions than answers for multiple divisions moving forward into 2026. Here are the key takeaways from a night that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
Is The Tom Aspinall Hype Train Over?
The highly anticipated heavyweight title fight ended in disappointment at 4:35 of round one when Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in the eye. Gane was finding success early with his jab, bloodying Aspinall’s nose and potentially winning the round before the foul occurred. Aspinall retained his title by default but faces serious questions about his performance and heart.
Dana White controversially suggested Aspinall “didn’t want to continue” after getting bloodied, creating a storyline that the champion may have used the eye poke as an exit strategy. Aspinall was hospitalized for examination, though White confirmed an immediate rematch. The British champion now faces enormous pressure to prove his toughness and silence doubters in the do-over.
Ciryl Gane Getting The Respect Back
Gane looked sharp and reminded everyone why he’s an elite heavyweight despite the unfortunate conclusion. His striking was crisp, his jab was finding the target consistently, and he appeared to be setting up for a competitive fight. Many fans, including Dana White, noted that Gane looked “damn good” before the accident.
The performance rehabilitated his reputation after people had written him off following his submission loss to Jon Jones. Gane demonstrated he belongs at the championship level and earned a rematch based on his early success before the accidental eye poke.
What’s Next For Umar Nurmagomedov?
Umar Nurmagomedov bounced back impressively from his title loss with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Mario Bautista at UFC 321. All three judges scored it 30-27 for the Dagestani fighter in what turned out to be one of the year’s most technical bantamweight battles. Nurmagomedov stated after the fight that he wants to compete again in January or February 2026, showing his desire to stay active and work his way back toward another title shot.
Given that Dvalishvili defends his title against Petr Yan at UFC 323, Nurmagomedov will likely need one more impressive victory before earning another championship opportunity. A potential matchup against someone like Sean O’Malley, Marlon Vera, or the loser of Dvalishvili vs Yan would make perfect sense as his next step.
Alexander Volkov’s Bad Luck Continues Despite Doing Everything Perfect
Volkov earned a split decision victory over Jailton Almeida that should have positioned him as the number one contender. The Russian controlled the striking while Almeida hunted takedowns successfully throughout three rounds. Dana White praised the judges for getting the decision correct but delivered bad news immediately after.
White stated that “unfortunately for him, the way the main event went was a nightmare and it doesn’t make him the number one contender right now.” Volkov did everything right but became collateral damage due to circumstances beyond his control. He will need to wait several more months and potentially secure another victory to get his deserved title shot.
Mackenzie Dern Reign To Be Short Lived?
Dern captured the vacant strawweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Virna Jandiroba (48-47, 49-46, 48-47). Unlike their first meeting five years ago, both grapplers spent time on the canvas, but Dern won the fight on the feet by landing more impactful strikes. Jandiroba secured multiple takedowns but failed to advance positions or threaten submissions while Dern stayed active from her back.
However, the unimpressive nature of the victory raises questions about Dern’s championship reign moving forward. She struggled to dominate an opponent she should have finished given her superior skills. Dern’s reign might not be dominant given her unimpressive win over Jandiroba and the competitive nature of the strawweight division. At 32 years old, she finally achieved her championship dream, but defending it against younger, hungrier contenders will be the real test.
Azamat Murzakanov – Next Generation Of Light Heavyweights
Murzakanov maintained his perfect 16-0 record with a devastating first round knockout of Aleksandar Rakic at 3:11 at UFC 321. The Russian landed a short intercepting right hand that Rakic never saw coming, putting him on the canvas immediately. Murzakanov called for a number one contender fight in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier.
Having now gone 6-0 in the UFC with five finishes, the 36 year old Russian may be the next generation of light heavyweights knocking on the door of a top 10 fight. His technical striking and knockout power make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. Despite his age, Murzakanov looks like he’s just entering his prime and could become a serious problem for the established elite at 205 pounds.
Quillan Salkilld – Legitimate Contender Emerging
Salkilld earned a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus with one of the nastiest head kick knockouts in recent memory. He caught Nasrat Haqparast perfectly at 2:30 of round one, knocking him completely unconscious before he hit the canvas. The finish becomes even more impressive considering Salkilld took the fight on less than two weeks notice.
The 25 year old Australian improved to 4-0 in the UFC and extended his winning streak to 10 consecutive victories. Salkilld is establishing himself as a legitimate contender in the lightweight division with his explosive finishing ability and willingness to take short-notice fights. His combination of youth, knockout power, and perfect UFC record makes him an exciting prospect worth tracking closely as he climbs the rankings.
(Image Credit: Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images)
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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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