On paper, UFC 321 wasn’t terribly exceptional by any stretch of the creativeness. With Tom Aspinall being a large betting favourite to defend his heavyweight title in opposition to Ciryl Gane and a strawweight title battle that felt like a comfort prize after Zhang Weili vacated the title to maneuver up a division and problem for the ladies’s flyweight championship, the highest of the cardboard was one of many weaker pay-per-views of 2025.
Sadly, the battle card performed out worse than it appeared on paper.
An unprecedented no-contest in the primary occasion left battle followers feeling empty. Outdoors of a must-see head kick knockout by Quillan Salkilld, an absurd fourth consecutive heel hook submission end from heavyweight Valter Walker and Azamat Murzakanov’s of Alexander Volkov, it was a tough evening for the UFC with a group of subpar fights, two of which earned failing scores.
After every pay-per-view, we break down and assess the standard of every battle and the battle card itself based mostly on ability displayed, competitiveness and what’s at stake.
Consequence: Salkilld defeats Haqparast by first-round knockout
Grade: A
This was a downright scary conclusion to a light-weight tilt between two evenly matched fighters. A proper head kick from Salkilld within the opening spherical landed flush and crumbled Haqparast, who collapsed face-first on the canvas and stayed there for a number of minutes. It was a kind of knockouts that you simply bounce out of your seat for and instantly really feel unhealthy for having fun with.
Consequence: Murzakanov defeats Rakic by first-round TKO
Grade: B+
In the event you have been to evaluate this battle by physique varieties, Rakic’s shredded construct would have simply earned the victory. As an alternative, the strong Murzakanov torched Rakic with a easy jab. The punch completely wrecked the charging Rakic, whose punch resistance has clearly deteriorated through the years. Murzakanov is definitely probably the most underestimated title contender creeping up the sunshine heavyweight ladder.
Consequence: Walker defeats Sutherland by submission
Grade: B
4 straight heel hook finishes from Walker is an absurd statistic, particularly for a heavyweight. He made quick work of Sutherland by impressively trapping the leg following a takedown. Sutherland was a fish out of water and tapped out in a rush. Heavyweights aren’t supposed to complete fights like this. Walker was spectacular, and the heavyweight division should watch out for the Brazilian. Oh, and keep for the postfight interview, by which Walker hilariously dismissed the translator and referred to as for a battle with Hamdy Abdelwahab.
Consequence: Klein defeats Rebecki by majority determination
Grade: B
Rebecki was busted up from quite a few crisp punches he absorbed from Klein within the first 10 minutes of the battle. Rebecki’s refusal to desert his technique of staying in Klein’s face nearly paid off, as he practically managed a come-from-behind win. After being completely outstruck within the first two rounds, Rebecki secured a takedown in Spherical 3 and went to work with a blistering rally of ground-and-pound. Klein suffered an ankle damage when he was taken down, however managed to climate the storm and survive the spherical to earn the choice. This was an entertaining and bloody battle that had a dramatic pendulum swing within the remaining spherical. It’s value watching Klein’s boxing in opposition to Rebecki’s tenacity.
Consequence: Nurmagomedov defeats Bautista by unanimous determination
Grade: C+
This was a very good battle, however not fairly a barnburner that you’ll want to exit of your strategy to watch. Bautista refused to again down, irrespective of how powerful issues bought for him contained in the Octagon. Nurmagomedov additionally demonstrated resiliency after surviving an early toe maintain submission that was cranked relentlessly by Bautista. In the end, Nurmagomedov’s grappling was the distinction maker and the win places him again in title competition. However this battle gained’t find yourself on his profession spotlight reel.
Consequence: Dern defeats Jandiroba by unanimous determination
Grade: C+
Dern’s evolution in putting continued together with her title-winning efficiency in opposition to Jandiroba. Whereas nonetheless flawed, Dern has improved sufficient to be taken significantly as a well-rounded fighter. Nonetheless, the battle lacked any notable moments, though each girls placed on a gritty efficiency that left each of their faces swollen. With out the title on the road, this may have been a barely above-average battle. The stakes made it extra fascinating, nevertheless it gained’t be remembered six months from now.
Consequence: Wooden defeats Delgado by unanimous determination
Grade: C+
Delgado was a whirlwind of putting dominance early, and it appeared it will be a brief, profitable evening after a head kick to spinning backfist mixture sank Wooden to the canvas. Nevertheless, Wooden was resilient as he steadied the ship and slowly clawed his means again into the battle. The motion slowed after the opening spherical and Wooden stayed aggressive. After three rounds, it regarded like Delgado was going to earn the choice, however the judges favored Wooden’s measured efficiency (29-28 3 times). Delgado could have misplaced, however he showcased a ton of promise, whereas Wooden has confirmed to be a tricky out for everybody.
Consequence: Mizuki defeats Amorim by unanimous determination
Grade: C-
This was your typical striker vs. grappler fashion conflict that wasn’t terribly thrilling. There have been lengthy stretches early throughout which Amorim would get Mizuki to the canvas and chain submission makes an attempt collectively. However Mizuki would keep away from getting submerged in her opponent’s jiu-jitsu and would land the extra significant strikes, whereas staying out of bother. A late cost from Mizuki on a fading Amorim within the third spherical was in all probability probably the most stirring second of the battle, nevertheless it didn’t make this a must-see battle by any means.
Consequence: Raposo defeats Maksum by unanimous determination
Grade: D+
When probably the most fascinating second of the battle is a fence seize, you’ll be able to in all probability skip it. Don’t blame Raposo as a result of he got here to battle because the betting underdog (+375 per ESPN BET). Maksum missed weight by three kilos on Friday and appeared not sure of himself, though he seemed to be the extra proficient fighter of the 2. However Raposo merely outworked Maksum and cemented the win when Maksum was deducted some extent after utilizing a blatant fence seize to flee a one-arm guillotine try. It was a very good win for Raposo, however not an engagement value writing residence about.
Consequence: Aliskerov defeats Park by unanimous determination
Grade: D
Do you want dominant grappling exhibitions? In the event you don’t, this isn’t your battle. Aliskerov routinely grounded a helpless Park at will and stored him down with out essentially coming near securing a end. It wasn’t thrilling by any stretch of the creativeness, nevertheless it was efficient sufficient to get Aliskerov a second consecutive win.
Consequence: Abdelwahab defeats Barnett by unanimous determination
Grade: F+
All the pieces was going swimmingly for Abdelwahab, who regarded as if he would safe a dominant first-round end over Barnett.
Then the wheels got here off the battle.
Referee Marc Goddard took some extent away from Abdelwahab in Spherical 1 for a blatant elbow to the again of Barnett’s head. From there, it was an absolute heavyweight catastrophe. Barnett had no solutions for Abdelwahab, however Abdelwahab couldn’t determine end a clearly damaged fighter. It dissolved right into a sloppy mess that noticed Barnett’s shorts slide off to disclose his bottom in Spherical 2.
If you’re on the lookout for a battle that’s so unhealthy that yow will discover some leisure in it, then Abdelwahab vs. Barnett is for you.
Consequence: Volkov defeats Almeida by break up determination
Grade: F-
This was depressing to look at. Almeida took Volkov down seven occasions and maintained practically 11 of the 15-minute battle of management time, however did completely nothing with it. Volkov managed to sneak in sufficient strikes within the 4 minutes he wasn’t on his again to squeeze out a call victory. Volkov did his finest in opposition to an opponent who had just one recreation plan. This was actually, actually unhealthy.
Consequence: Aspinall-Gane ends in a no-contest
Grade: Incomplete
Simply while you thought Gane was going to current sufficient of a problem to Aspinall to get out of the primary spherical, the battle ended as a consequence of an unintentional eye poke. Gane bloodied Aspinall’s nostril within the opening minute of the battle, which drew a smile from the champion who appeared excited to have a real problem within the Octagon. Aspinall and Gane have been engaged in an entertaining chess match earlier than the challenger by the way dug his fingers into each of the champion’s eyes. With no definitive consequence, this earned the uncommon grade of incomplete.
UFC 321 grade: D-
Salkilld’s scintillating head kick knockout was simply sufficient to save lots of this card from utterly flunking out. With a pair of Fs, an incomplete essential occasion, a comparatively common strawweight title bout and several other unremarkable fights, UFC 321 will find yourself being remembered because the UFC’s worst PPV of 2025.
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