Jon Jones recently shocked fans by defeating Stipe Miocic, cementing his dominance in the UFC. While some feared he might retire, Jones made it clear he is staying. Now, all eyes are on his next fight, and two names stand out: Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion, and Alex Pereira, the former middleweight champion. The UFC world is buzzing, and many believe Aspinall is the most exciting challenge for Jones. Even Dana White in his recent interview stated that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is going to be a historic fight if it takes place. But who exactly is Tom Aspinall, and why is he the talk of the heavyweight division?
Tom Aspinall, born in 1993 in Manchester, England, is a rising star in the UFC. He holds the title of Interim Heavyweight Champion and ranks eighth in the UFC pound-for-pound list. Aspinall is famous for his explosive fights, often ending them in under three minutes. His unmatched speed and power have set a UFC record for the shortest average fight time. With a background in martial arts from the age of seven, he’s a well-rounded fighter with skills in boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Aspinall’s journey to the UFC started with dedication and family influence. Following his father’s footsteps, he trained in martial arts at a young age. Over time, he mastered Brazilian jiu-jitsu, winning multiple British Open titles. A massive growth spurt during his teenage years gave him a physical edge, but it came with challenges like severe growing pains. Today, Aspinall uses his unique blend of size, technique, and determination to dominate opponents, making him a worthy contender for the legendary Jon Jones.
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Bio Table
Full Name | Thomas Paul Aspinall |
Known as | Tom Aspinall |
Date of Birth | 11 April, 1993 |
Age (As of 2024) | 31 |
Hometown | Leigh, Great Manchester |
Nationality | British |
Profession | Professional UFC Fighter in Heavyweight Division |
Height | 6 Ft. 5 Inch. |
Weight | 251 lbs or 114 KG |
Coach | Andy Aspinall |
Net Worth | Approx. 250,000 USD |
Marital status (As of 2024) | Married |
Sponsors/Partners | GymKingBeast PharmUltraMMARedline |
Leagues | Cage WarriorsUltimate Fighting Champion |
Who is Tom Aspinall?
Tom Aspinall is a name that has taken the UFC heavyweight division by storm. Known for his sharp agility and lightning-fast finishes, he has quickly become one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. Aspinall’s calm demeanor outside the cage contrasts sharply with his ferocity inside it. His ability to read opponents and end fights swiftly has left fans and experts in awe.
Aspinall’s journey to the top is rooted in discipline and a lifelong passion for martial arts. His time training with elite coaches at Team Kaobon helped him develop a versatile fighting style. Beyond his impressive record, Aspinall is admired for his sportsmanship and dedication to improvement. He embodies the spirit of modern mixed martial arts—blending power, precision, and strategy. With every fight, he solidifies his place as one of the most exciting and unpredictable talents in the UFC.
Early life of Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall began his fighting career at 18, posting an impressive amateur record of nine wins and zero losses. Nearly all his victories came through knockout or submission, showcasing his finishing skills early. After a 2.5-year break, he joined Cage Warriors, delivering two quick wins. Despite an early UFC offer, he waited until he felt truly ready before signing.
Family
Family Table | |
Father | Andy Aspinall |
Mother | Tracey Aspinall |
Wife | Justyna |
Children | Two sons and a daughter |
Career
Tom Aspinall’s career in mixed martial arts is a story of grit, growth, and explosive success. He began at age 18, going undefeated in nine amateur fights, with most wins by knockout or submission. After honing his skills, Aspinall signed a contract with Cage Warriors, turning down an early UFC offer to prepare for the big stage. Two swift victories in Cage Warriors confirmed his readiness, and in 2020, he joined the UFC.
Aspinall’s UFC debut against Jake Collier was memorable, as he secured a first-round TKO and earned a Performance of the Night bonus. He continued this streak of dominance, defeating names like Alan Baudot, Andrei Arlovski, and Serghei Spivac. These fights showcased his versatile skills, blending powerful striking with sharp submissions. A setback came in 2022 when a knee injury forced a quick stoppage against Curtis Blaydes. However, this only fueled his comeback.
After a year-long recovery, Aspinall returned in 2023 with a stunning TKO win over Marcin Tybura. He then captured the Interim Heavyweight Championship by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in just over a minute. His momentum didn’t stop there, as he defended his title against Curtis Blaydes in 2024, again winning in spectacular fashion. With six Performance of the Night awards and an unmatched ability to finish fights early, Aspinall has become a dominant force in the heavyweight division, poised for even greater achievements.
Famous for
Tom Aspinall has become one of the most talked-about fighters in the UFC for many reasons. He is famous for his quick finishes, holding the record for the shortest average fight time in UFC history. Out of his eight UFC wins, six have ended before the halfway mark of the first round, showcasing his explosive power and precision. Aspinall’s technical skill is matched by his versatility, as he has won fights through knockouts, submissions, and impressive grappling.
He gained further fame by defeating Sergei Pavlovich to claim the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship on just two weeks’ notice. His first-round knockout earned him his sixth “Performance of the Night” award, cementing his reputation as a big-stage performer. Aspinall also defended his interim title by knocking out Curtis Blaydes in one minute, earning another Performance bonus.
Another key aspect of his fame is his boldness in calling out Jon Jones, the reigning heavyweight champion. Aspinall has consistently expressed his desire to test himself against the best, showing a fearless mindset. His dedication, speed, and dominance have made him a fan favorite and one of the brightest stars in the heavyweight division.
Achievements of Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall has quickly become a star in the UFC. Here are four of his top achievements:
- Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion: Won the title at UFC 295 with a first-round knockout.
- Shortest Average Fight Time: Holds the UFC record with fights averaging just two minutes and two seconds.
- Performance of the Night Awards: Earned six bonuses for his thrilling and dominant wins.
- Successful Comeback: Returned from injury with a first-round TKO against Marcin Tybura.
Unknown Facts
Tom Aspinall’s journey in martial arts is filled with interesting and lesser-known facts. Here are four:
- Aspinall competed in a professional boxing match and won by knockout.
- He holds a BJJ black belt, showcasing his elite grappling skills.
- He has been part of Team Aspinall BJJ since 2005, training under his father.
- His reach is 2 cm longer than his height, giving him an edge in fights.
He is on his way to becoming one of the greatest fighters ever. Want to learn more about great athletes? Check out LeBron James’ biography here!
FAQs
Jon Jones is the Undisputed heavyweight champion of UFC. However, he’s been inactive for a long while now. Once Tom won the Heavyweight title bout, he was crowned as the ‘Interim’ heavyweight champion. This is what started the beef between the two fighters.
Jon Jones has been trying to avoid a fight with Tom Aspinall. However, he’s shown interest in fighting the Brazilian fighter, Alex Pereira.
No, Tom Aspinall was not scheduled to fight at 309.
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