Mackenzie Dern spoke to Newsweek Sports and she explained the deep meaning that winning gold at UFC 321 would have.

The undisputed heavyweight champion puts his newly-minted title on the line against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. Aspinall makes his first appearance since his successful interim championship defense against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024.

When he faced Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, Aspinall weighed in at 251 pounds. Fast forward to UFC 321, and MMA Orbit reports he’s now around 262 pounds—a difference of roughly 11 pounds that hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans or analysts alike.

Former interim lightweight champion Poirier, who now serves as an analyst after retiring from MMA in August, admits it's been impressive to see Aspinall blow through the competition, averaging an all-time UFC record low of two minutes and two seconds of fight time thus far in his octagon tenure.

Even his father and coach, U.K. jiu-jitsu pioneer Andy Aspinall — a man who has never shied away from sharing his thoughts on the treatment of his protege — has been enjoying the regal reception that comes with being among the new king’s council.

Tom Aspinall, the former interim titleholder who has now been upgraded to full champion, will make his first defense when he welcomes Gane on Saturday in the main event of UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.

TOM ASPINALL makes his long-awaited Octagon return next weekend. And the Wigan warrior looks set to enter the UFC cage with a brand-spanking-new physique. Aspinall, 32, will make the first defence