Mackenzie Dern said:

"We're different fighters these days and Virna is on a great win-streak now.

"Fans are going to see a complete MMA fight, you'll see striking, takedowns, and it could go five rounds.

"We're both confident exchanging on the ground but I think it will be a well-rounded title fight."

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Battison
BBC Sport in Abu Dhabi

Ciryl Gane has turned up wearing a kandura - the traditional ankle-length white robe men wear in Abu Dhabi.

That's gone down very well with the locals who are in attendance.

Tom Aspinall has plenty of fans here though, and Gane's words are greeted by a chorus of "Tommy Aspinall" chants.

Image source, Getty Images

Now to the strawweight title contenders.

Virna Jandiroba is asked what she needs to change to beat Mackenzie Dern after losing in their first meeting:

"The biggest thing is not just to learn from my wins but to take something from defeats. My biggest lesson is to believe in myself."

Jandiroba is speaking Portuguese and her answers are coming through a translator but his microphone is not working, so UFC president Dana White is asking for someone to get that fixed.

Image source, Getty Images

Plenty of travelling support for UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

Over to Ciryl Gane:

"Everyone knows the strengths of Tom Aspinall."

He's asked if he's glad to be finally fighting Aspinall?

"100%," Gane says before he is interrupted by some Tom Aspinall fans.

"Tommy Aspinall, Tommy Aspinall," they chant.

Gane halts for a moment and adds, "we are the need breed of this heavyweight division".

Tom Aspinall is up first:

"I'm happy to let the fight play out organically and I'll try my best to get the finish.

"This guy is really good, he's been around the top five for a while so I know it's going to be a tricky match-up."

Image source, Getty Images

We're diving straight in with this news conference.

Umar Nurmagomedov, Mario Bautista, Mackenzie Dern, Virna Jandiroba, Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane have just made their way on to stage and taken their seats.

Updates to follow.

Paul Battison
BBC Sport in Abu Dhabi

I spoke to Tom Aspinall and his team yesterday in Abu Dhabi and they were in good spirits, laughing and joking around, despite the intense media schedule.

Aspinall did 18 separate interviews on Tuesday - the life of a UFC heavyweight champion, eh?

After speaking to BBC Sport, Aspinall was whisked off to perform in an open workout.

I hope he's had some time to recharge before today's news conference.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The last time we saw Tom Aspinall in the octagon was July 2024 when he successfully defended his interim heavyweight title in a rematch with Curtis Blaydes.

Aspinall took just 60 seconds to stop the American and then turned his attention to undisputed champion Jon Jones in his post-fight interview.

"Hello Jon, I have nothing against you, but I just think I'm better than you and I can beat you in a fight. I'm coming for you," said Aspinall.

But a lot has changed since that night in Manchester 15 months ago...

UFC president Dana White in June that Jones had retired and Aspinall was subsequently upgraded to undisputed champion.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello and good afternoon.

Excited for a UFC fight week?

Manchester's Tom Aspinall makes the first defence of his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

There's also an intriguing rematch in the strawweight division with Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern meeting for the vacant title.

We'll be hearing from them all shortly at the news conference.