‘I will boo, too’: Champ taunts over fight plan as Dana makes title shot ‘deal’ — UFC 321 presser
Headliner Tom Aspinall playfully doubled down on his shock fight plan as Dane White struck a title shot “deal” with another fighter at the official UFC 321 press conference ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster card.
Brit Aspinall returns to the Octagon on Sunday (AEDT) to defend his heavyweight championship against French superstar Ciryl Gane.
The pair will collide at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi in what will be Aspinall’s first defence as the undisputed champion.
Gane, regarded as one of the best strikers in the division, has lost his two previous title fights and will be hoping that the third time is indeed a charm.
UFC 321: Aspinall vs Gane | SUN 26 OCT 5AM AEDT |The Heavyweight belt is on the line as undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall makes his first title defence against former interim champion Ciryl Gane, in Abu Dhabi.| Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
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There was little brutal sledging between the pair at the press conference, with both fighters very much about settling their differences in the cage in just a couple of days’ time.
One cheeky reporter asked Aspinall if he should bring a pillow to the bout because Gane will be “going to sleep early”. The French fighter grabbed the mic and told the fan to “take it easy”.
Another questioned Aspinall about the suggestion that Gane might take the powerhouse finisher into “deep water” on Sunday — to which the Brit replied that everyone who has said they were going to do that to him has been knocked out.
Aspinall also joked that he is planning to win by a “controversial split decision”, to which a French journalist said he will be booed.
Dana White added, “I will boo too!”
Elsewhere at the press event, 135lbs star Umar Nurmagomedov decided to put his boss Dana White on the spot about a potential title shot.
“I ask question,” said Nurmagomedov. “Is it possible that this fight is for (the next) contender, me and Mario?”
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White told Nurmagomedov that a dull performance wouldn’t cut the mustard.
“Should this fight be the contender fight?” White responded. “Go out there and put on a show on Saturday that makes people go, ‘Damn, one of these guys should be fighting for the title next’”
“OK, I’m going to do (that),” Nurmagomedov replied.
“Deal,” White answered.
Women’s strawweights Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern, who are the co-main event on Sunday, were all business at the press conference and not interested in trading insults.
Jandiroba enters the bout on Sunday riding a five-fight win-streak and being the division’s top-ranked contender.
However, Dern, officially ranked No.5 in the weight class, will be confident about the contest having previously beaten her fancied rival when the pair fought in 2020.
Elsewhere on the main card Alexander Volkov takes on Jailton Almeida in a heavyweight title eliminator, while Aleksandar Rakic will square off with Azamat Murzakanov in a light heavyweight showdown.
