Summary

  1. That's all folkspublished at 15:53 BST 24 October

    We're all done and dusted with this live text.

    Thanks for sticking with us through the weigh-in and now we can look forward to a cracking main card tomorrow night.

    It's a huge moment for Tom Aspinall as he prepares to make the first defence of his UFC heavyweight title, so make sure you are here with us for live updates through the evening.

  2. Postpublished at 15:51 BST 24 October

    Aspinall v Gane

    An image of Tom Aspinall crouching in the octagon behind the graphic '18:21, Tom Aspinall has spent just 18 minutes and 21 seconds in the octagon across his entire nine-fight UFC career"

  3. Aspinall v Jones still on the cards?published at 15:46 BST 24 October

    Tom Aspinall and Jon JonesImage source, Getty Images

    When Tom Aspinall walks to the octagon on Saturday it will be the first time he has done so as the UFC's undisputed heavyweight champion.

    Aspinall was crowned interim champion in November 2023 after beating Sergei Pavlovich and defended that title against Curtis Blaydes in July 2024.

    The Mancunian said he was "coming for" undisputed champion Jon Jones after stopping Blaydes in 60 second.

    But dreams of a blockbuster bout with Jones never transpired and the American retired from MMA in June and Aspinall was upgraded to outright champion.

    Jones reversed his retirement decision just two weeks later and announced his intent to feature on the UFC's White House card in 2026.

    That leaves the door wide open for Aspinall and Jones to meet next year.

  4. Tale-of-the-tapepublished at 15:43 BST 24 October

    Head-to-head graphic comparing age, MMA record, TKO wins, submission wins and height between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane
  5. One final face-offpublished at 15:39 BST 24 October

    Aspinall v Gane

    Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane face offImage source, Getty Images
  6. 'This will be big'published at 15:36 BST 24 October

    Aspinall v Gane

    Tom Aspinall also isn't keen on hanging around but makes a big promise as he prepares for the first defence of his UFC heavyweight title:

    "This is going to be a very special performance on Saturday. Make sure you tune in, this will be big."

  7. Postpublished at 15:34 BST 24 October

    Aspinall v Gane

    Ciryl Gane is asked his thoughts about tomorrow's title bout and after a couple of boos from the crowd offers up a short and sweet answer:

    "Very glad to be here guys. See you Saturday"

    Ciryl Gane speaks on the microphoneImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 15:33 BST 24 October

    Aspinall v Gane

    A tense stare off between the two but it's still very respectful and ends with a handshake.

    Tom Aspinall faces off with Ciryl GaneImage source, Getty Images
  9. Champion Aspinall looking goodpublished at 15:32 BST 24 October

    Aspinall v Gane

    Tom Aspinall holds up his arms as he weighs in for a UFC heavyweight title fightImage source, Getty Images

    And here comes the UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

    That 6,000 calories-per-day diet has seen him bulk up slightly from when we last saw him in July 2024.

    Aspinall tips the scales today at 255lb (18st 3lb).

    He was 17st 9lb for his interim heavyweight title defence against Curtis Blaydes 15 months ago.

    But he is still some way shy of his career-heavy 18st 6lb when he beat Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 in November 2023.

    Tom Aspinall holds up his arms as he weighs in for a UFC heavyweight title fightImage source, Getty Images
  10. Third time lucky for Gane?published at 15:31 BST 24 October

    A graphic showing the results of Ciryl Gane's last five fights says 'SD v Volkov', 'TKO v Spivac'

    Ciryl Gane arrived in the UFC just 11 months before Tom Aspinall and has also enjoyed a spell as interim heavyweight champion.

    The 35-year-old beat Derrick Lewis in 2021 to get his hands on the belt but came up short in his next fight against undisputed champion Francis Ngannou.

    Gane bounced back to beat Tai Tuivasa but fell to his second career loss against champion Jon Jones.

    The Frenchman is not one to let defeat throw him off track, though, and has since won successive bouts to earn a third title shot.

  11. Postpublished at 15:31 BST 24 October

    Aspinall v Gane

    Ciryl Gane holds up his arms as he weighs in for a UFC heavyweight title fightImage source, Getty Images

    Challenger Ciryl Gane takes to the scales first and comes in at 247.5lb (17st 9.5lb).

    It's two pounds heavier than when we saw him beat Alexander Volkov in December.

  12. What UFC heavyweight champion Aspinall eats in a daypublished at 15:30 BST 24 October

    Tom Aspinall kindly outlined in detail what he eats during a typical day during training camp.

  13. The champ is almost herepublished at 15:30 BST 24 October

    Paul Battison
    BBC Sport in Abu Dhabi

    Those "Tommy Aspinall" chants have cranked right back up again, mainly from a pocket of about 20 fans behind me to my right.

    The champ is about to arrive.

  14. 300 sit-ups and 6,000 calories a day - inside Aspinall's fight camppublished at 15:29 BST 24 October

    Tom Aspinall wearing orange boxing glovesImage source, Getty Images

    Ever wondered what it takes to become a UFC heavyweight champion?

    Hard work, dedication and a lot of food.

    To prepare his first defence against Ciryl Gane on Saturday, Tom Aspinall told BBC Sport that he's been consuming 6,000 calories and between eight to 10 litres of water.

    His meals range from protein shakes to yoghurt with fruit and steak with eggs.

    Aspinall believes he burns off around 2,000 calories during "heavy" training sessions.

    Read the story here.

  15. Postpublished at 15:28 BST 24 October

    One title fight down and one to go...

    The arrival of Manchester's Tom Aspinall - the UFC heavyweight champion - is imminent.

  16. 'Everything is different'published at 15:28 BST 24 October

    Jandiroba v Dern

    Virna Jandiroba lost to Mackenzie Dern in 2020, but the Brazilian expects a different result on Saturday:

    "Everything is different. It has been five years and I'm going to show you on Saturday night."

    Virna Jandiroba faces off with Mackenzie DernImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 15:26 BST 24 October

    Jandiroba v Dern

    Mackenzie Dern is asked how she is feeling:

    "I feel ready, it's going to be an amazing fight. I'm going to show there is a new Queen of strawweight."

  18. Postpublished at 15:25 BST 24 October

    Jandiroba v Dern

    No issues for Virna Jandiroba either. The Brazilian comes in bang on the strawweight limit at 115lb (8st 3lb).

    Virna Jandiroba holds up her arms as she weighs in for a UFC strawweight title fightImage source, Getty Images
  19. Postpublished at 15:25 BST 24 October

    Jandiroba v Dern

    Mackenzie Dern holds up a finger as she weighs in for a UFC strawweight title fightImage source, Getty Images

    Mackenzie Dern comes in at championship weight of 115lb (8st 3lb).

  20. Postpublished at 15:24 BST 24 October

    Are you managing to keep up with this?

    Thankfully, we've got a brief halt in the flow of fighters sprinting on to stage, weighing in and then facing off.

    That's because we're moving on to the first of two title fights set for UFC 321 when Virina Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern meet for the vacant strawweight title.

    Who have you got in this one?

    Thumbs up if Jandiroba wins or thumbs down if you think Dern takes it.