The UFC doesn't have a new heavyweight champion after UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, but it doesn't have a champion with a successful title defense either. Instead, he actually got the worst case scenario: the competition was canceled due to an accidental poke in the eye. The UFC will almost certainly have a champion Tom Aspinall run it back with Cyril Ganeespecially since both opponents fought until such an equal first round before the foul. The only question is when.
Here's a look at those scenarios and what could be next for the other UFC 321 main card stars.
Tom Aspinall, heavyweight champion, and Cyril Gane
What should happen next: UFC 323 will take place on December 6 in Las Vegas. BOOK NOW. Unless Aspinall has suffered permanent or long-term eye damage, file the case immediately. The last UFC pay-per-view of 2025 is set for December 6th. Book it with this card. If not, book it for the first event in 2026. Just book. Now. They're in shape, they're just getting ready for each other, they've just answered a million questions about each other. Let's go. The sooner the better.
Mackenzie Dernlight weight
0:54
Mackenzie Dern wins vacant women's strawweight title
Mackenzie Dern defeated Virna Jandiroba by decision to win the women's strawweight title.
Who should be next: Tatiana Suarez
It's hard not to be happy for Dern, who worked his way through 16 fights in the UFC to become champion. If you had asked me in 2018, when Dern first signed with the UFC, if she would still be fighting for the UFC title after 15 appearances, I doubt I would have said yes. It's not that Dern doesn't have a heart, in fact, that's what she's always had. But competing without a UFC championship is a long time, and I would probably think that she would either burn out, move on to something else, or that her submission skills simply wouldn't translate into longevity. Now she is at the top, and staying there, of course, will not be easy. The obvious title contender here is Suarez, who just fought for the belt in February against a former champion. Zhang Weili.
Wild card: Zhang Weili
If Zhang fails in her bid to capture a second title at UFC 322 next month, she could easily be seen moving back up to 115 pounds and immediately competing for the belt. Zhang faces Valentina Shevchenko Flyweight title fight on November 15 in New York. If Zhang loses and decides to move back down to strawweight, that would likely be the better fight, although the UFC could decide to fight Dern vs. Suarez and Zhang would face the winner.
Umar Nurmagomedovmen's bantamweight
Who should be next: Winner Merab Dvalishvili against. Petr Yan December 6
Under normal circumstances, I doubt I would be so quick to suggest a title rematch. But these are abnormal circumstances due to the Dvalishvili mystery. Dvalishvili has already defended his title twice since defeating Nurmagomedov 10 months ago, and if he defeats Yan at UFC 323, he will become the first in UFC history to win four title fights in one calendar year. Why with such an active champion? I wouldn't Will Nurmagomedov be next? The champion needs as many challengers as possible. If Ian wins, it will be a new match, and a very good fresh match. Again, in another world, I would say there is no way Dvalishvili could turn around and fight Nurmagomedov again so soon, but that's what he wants to do. I'd watch it again, no question.
Wild Card: Sean O'Malley
Rumor has it that O'Malley is already scheduled to fight in January. Either way, if O'Malley fights in January, if he wins, he loses – regardless of all these details, it will be a solid fight. It's hard for O'Malley, of course, but he and Nurmagomedov are close in the rankings, and when O'Malley was champion, he openly liked the idea of ​​a fight with Nurmagomedov and everything associated with the name “Nurmagomedov”. I doubt we'll see a fight like this with Nurmagomedov next, but in the absence of a title shot, it's a good option.
Azamat Murzakanovlight heavyweight
Who should be next: Winner Jan Blachowicz against. Bogdan Guskov December 6
After this, Murzakanov has nothing more to prove. At least when it comes to establishing yourself as a real championship player. He's undefeated, but that undefeated record didn't mean much before this, as he beat a very real, proven talent in Alexander Rakich. Yes, Rakic ​​lost his last three fights leading up to UFC 321, but he lost to three former and current champions at UFC 321. Magomed Ankalaev, Jiri Prochazka and Blachowicz. Rakic ​​was hungry for it, and Murzakanov took him out within the round. I see this as a major victory. Blachowicz and Guskov are a great matchup that will help move the division forward. Blachowicz is ranked fourth in the UFC despite not winning in over three years. If Blachowicz proves that he is still among the elite against Guskov, who is ranked 11th in the rankings, great. Let him fight Murzakanov next. And if Guskov rises to the top five, then a match with Murzakanov will be very appropriate.
Wild Card: Magomed Ankalaev
Ankalaev faces the unenviable task of winning at least once, and maybe twice, to return to a title shot. Ankalaev could be a big competitor to Murzakanov, but I see no reason to slow down his play. Ankalaev doesn't have an obvious next opponent, so I can see this fight being more likely for Murzakanov, even if I slightly prefer the Blachowicz/Guskov scenario.
