UFC 321: Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane Prelims Feature Heavyweight Clash Between Chris Barnett and Hamdy Abdelwahab
UFC 321 continues on the prelims with an exciting heavyweight bout between Chris Barnett and Hamdy Abdelwahab this Saturday. As part of our UFC odds series, here’s a detailed prediction and pick for the Barnett vs. Abdelwahab fight.
Fighter Profiles
Chris Barnett (23-9)
“Beastboy” Chris Barnett returns to the Octagon looking to recapture his devastating knockout form after suffering a first-round stoppage loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 308—a bout he accepted on short notice. Despite some inconsistency in recent fights, Barnett’s experience and his danger in chaotic exchanges make him a live threat early on as he steps back into the cage this weekend.
Hamdy Abdelwahab (4-1)
Hamdy Abdelwahab bounced back earlier this year with a split-decision victory over Jamal Pogues at a UFC Fight Night event before dropping a unanimous decision to Mohammed Usman in June. After two active outings in 2025, Abdelwahab aims to regain momentum and deliver a statement performance against Barnett at UFC 321.
UFC 321 Odds: Chris Barnett vs. Hamdy Abdelwahab
- Chris Barnett: +330
- Hamdy Abdelwahab: -425
- Over 1.5 rounds: -175
- Under 1.5 rounds: +135
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Why Chris Barnett Will Win
- Last Fight: Loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu via KO/TKO Round 1
- Last 5 fights: 2-3
- Finishes: 18 (all by KO/TKO)
Chris Barnett’s path to victory hinges on his unorthodox explosiveness and creative striking at close range. While Abdelwahab possesses formidable wrestling skills, he has struggled with pace and composure after his initial pressure—often fading if opponents survive the early onslaught.
Barnett thrives during chaotic exchanges. His spinning kicks, heavy striking combinations, and unpredictability make him one of the most dangerous and entertaining heavyweights when the fight gets wild. For Barnett to win, he needs to force Abdelwahab into striking battles rather than grappling control.
Barnett’s speed and striking diversity can disrupt Abdelwahab’s rhythm and test his cardio. Abdelwahab’s recent performances include signs of ring rust and timing issues, which Barnett can exploit late in the fight. Once Barnett establishes his range, he is capable of landing fight-altering shots to overwhelm opponents unused to his compact and explosive frame.
Expect Barnett to withstand early takedown attempts and then swing momentum by applying pressure and delivering crowd-pleasing strikes. His experience, durability, and comfort in scrappy firefights give him an edge to secure a dramatic knockout or late referee stoppage, making him a dangerous contender in this matchup.
Why Hamdy Abdelwahab Will Win
- Last Fight: Loss to Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision
- Last 5 fights: 4-1
- Finishes: 3 (all by KO/TKO)
Hamdy Abdelwahab benefits from a near-perfect stylistic matchup against Chris Barnett. The Egyptian heavyweight boasts a dominant wrestling base, averaging multiple takedowns per fight, alongside clear physical advantages in strength and top control.
Barnett’s flashy striking flourishes in open exchanges, but Abdelwahab’s relentless clinch pressure can suffocate that creativity. By closing the distance early, Abdelwahab can utilize his Greco-Roman wrestling and double-leg takedowns to bring Barnett to the mat—where Barnett’s grappling defense is limited.
Abdelwahab’s cardio showed improvement even in his narrow loss to Usman, and extensive training on endurance and fight IQ has made him more composed heading into this bout. If Abdelwahab avoids Barnett’s wild, high-risk striking flurries in the early going, his positional control and ground-and-pound can steadily accumulate damage.
As the fight settles into close quarters, Abdelwahab’s size, leverage, and wrestling pedigree should neutralize Barnett’s explosiveness. Expect Abdelwahab to maintain forward pressure, secure repeated takedowns, and grind out a decision victory through dominant control time and positional superiority.
Final Prediction & Pick: UFC 321 Heavyweight Fight
This heavyweight matchup at UFC 321 presents a classic clash of dynamic striking versus wrestling control. Hamdy Abdelwahab enters fight week as the favorite at approximately -425 odds.
Abdelwahab’s Olympic-level wrestling and top control are expected to dictate the pace, exploiting Barnett’s tendency to back up under pressure. Early on, Abdelwahab will likely use his size and physicality to pin Barnett against the cage, chaining takedowns into sustained positional dominance.
His path to victory will come through repeated wrestling, heavy ground strikes, and neutralizing Barnett’s wild bursts of striking. However, Barnett remains the more dangerous finisher if striking exchanges extend. His agility and spinning attacks carry genuine fight-ending potential, especially if Abdelwahab fatigues during scrambles.
On a larger cage in Abu Dhabi, Abdelwahab’s ability to cut angles and clinch will be key factors. His pace, positional control, and superior takedown arsenal make him the safer pick to win rounds systematically.
Our pick: Hamdy Abdelwahab to win via unanimous decision, as he absorbs early danger and leans on his wrestling and durability to rebound strongly in the heavyweight division this Saturday at UFC 321.
https://clutchpoints.com/betting/chris-barnett-vs-hamdy-abdelwahab-prediction-odds-pick-for-ufc-321
