December 7, 2024, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: CIRYL GANE 13-2-0 of La Roche-sur-Yon, France defeats ALEXANDER VOLKOV 38-10-0 of Moscow, Russia by split decision 29-28,28-29,29-28 during the UFC 310 event at the T Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Las Vegas USA – ZUMAo117 20241207_zsp_o117_061 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax
One of the largest UFC pay-per-views of the year is nearly upon, as newly-minted heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall seeks to defend his strap for the first time when he locks horns with French contender Ciryl Gane. In the co-main event, strawweight titans Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern vie for the vacant throne following the departure of former 115-lb queen Weili Zhang. However, UFC 321 upsets could happen on Saturday.
While many expect a quick night for the imposing Englishman, Gane presents a fresh new challenge for his fellow European. Equally as towering and talented in the striking department, “Bon Gamin” will attempt to finally score UFC gold after two previous failed attempts.
An underdog by the slightest of margins, Jandiroba is eager to avenge a previous loss to Dern back in 2020 and could score one of a series of UFC 321 upsets. While Dern’s sterling Jiu-Jitsu background and renewed vigor have made her a true force in the division, the Brazilian’s five-fight winning streak begs to defy any odds put upon her.
November 11, 2023, New York, NY, United States: New york, NY: Mackenzie Dern during her fight in UFC Women s Strawweight bout during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. New York United States – ZUMAr187 20231111_zsp_r187_035 Copyright: xJustinxRenfroex
These are some of the biggest UFC 321 upsets to look out for.
Possible UFC 321 Upsets: Gane May Have Edge on the Feet
In the not-so-distant past, Gane was considered one of the brightest undefeated fighters in the sport, winning his first seven tilts in the organization with triumphs over Junior Dos Santos, Derrick Lewis and Alexander Volkov. These impressive victories over renowned strikers such as these men led the Frenchman to being viewed as having possibly the best stand up game in the organization. His air-tight kickboxing ability was put on full display when he gave then heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou a very difficult time in the early phases of their title match at UFC 270, outlanding the Cameroonian in three of the five round spectacle.
In his upcoming opponent in Aspinall this weekend, Gane will surely have his hands full trying to deal with the speed and power of the undisputed 265-lb king, who boasts a stellar 67% striking accuracy, as well as a 100% takedown accuracy. For fans who have followed “Bon Gamin” over the past three years, they will remember that he struggled immensely in both of his previous championship bouts due to his underdeveloped wrestling skillset.
For his third, and likely last, opportunity to fight for the heavyweight strap, Gane has employed the services and teachings of acclaimed grapplers in Olympic champion Akhmed Tazhudinov and Iranian wrestling phenom Pouya Rahmani.
Given the stakes of the fight, it can only be assumed that the European will be entering the Octagon with a much more refined takedown resistance.
However, what gives Gane a fighting chance against Aspinall will not be whether he can hold off the champion’s takedowns, it will be if he can avoid his reputed heavy hands. Although the Englishman does have four triumphs by submission, his primary means of taking out his opposition has always been to knock them down and finish them with ground-and-pound.
To his credit, Gane possesses a sterling 61 percent striking defense, utilizing his magnificent foot work to avoid major blows while firing off deadly counter attacks. It is this strategy that allowed him to land a devastating uppercut that put down the equally strong and durable Tai Tuivasa in their 2022 scrap.
If Gane can manage to get Aspinall to leave himself open after over committing on his offense, then the Frenchman could rip the belt away from his adversary after delivering a huge strike of his own to record one of what might be several massive UFC 321 upsets.
Possible UFC 321 Upsets: Mario Bautista’s Past Competition Prepared Him for Major PPV Spot
On the main card of UFC 321, MMA Lab product Mario Bautista locks horns with one-time title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov in a likely number one contender contest which may lead to one in a series of UFC 321 upsets.
On paper, the Dagestani appears to have all the tools necessary to drag the American into deep waters due to his extensive background training with some of the top mixed martial artists on the planet, including promotional legend Khabib Nurmagomedov. He also has taken down almost every single foe that he has come across in the Octagon other than Raoni Barcelos, whom the Russian knocked out in the first round.
However, what gives Bautista a minor edge over Nurmagomedov doesn’t lie in physical or fighting abilities, as the two stand as near equals in both striking and takedown accuracy and defense. It is the strength of adversity that he has had to overcome just to get to this point in his career, and it could lead to one of the potential UFC 321 upsets this weekend.
Currently in the midst of an amazing eight-fight winning streak, the 32-year old has had to face some powerful and venerable opponents as of late. Over the past two years, Bautista traded blows with stiff opposition like Da’Mon Blackshear and Ricky Simón, and also previous title-holders in José Aldo and Patchy Mix. This recent go at world-class former champions have helped to evolve Bautista into a well-rounded competitor with a proven track record of success opposite athletes with more experience on the biggest stage in the sport than him. Only time will tell if Bautista can be among the UFC 321 upsets scored on Saturday.
Possible UFC 321 Upsets: Jandiroba On a Mission to Avenge Herself Against Dern
After ruling over the division with three title defenses, Weili Zhang has made the decision to move up in weight to battle flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko. Leaving behind a massive power vacuum, two of premier strawweights on the planet duke it out to have company gold wrapped around their waist for the first time. It’s this co-main event that could end up serving one of the potential UFC 321 upsets this week.
Though the championship picture is new for them both, Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern have a history with one another, with Dern previously getting the better of the Brazilian.
Over the past five years, only a pair of fighters can say they have bested Jandiroba, Amanda Ribas and the aforementioned Dern. Squaring off at UFC 256, it was Dern who emerged victorious after a hotly-contested unanimous decision win. In the time since then, Jandiroba has won five contests in a row, streaking past names such as Marina Rodriguez, Amanda Lemos and Yan Xiaonan. Making full use of her immaculate Jiu-Jitsu, “Carcará” has encountered little trouble in getting her adversaries to the canvas and wearing them down.
She will undoubtedly be tested in the grappling department by her divisional nemesis, Dern, as the Arizona native holds a third degree black belt in the same discipline that Jandiroba excels in. However, given her growth as a fighter over the last half decade, and her triumphs over other credentialed grapplers in the weight class, she stands much more prepared now to take on the streaking Dern in one of the possible UFC 321 upsets.