Tom Aspinall: I’m Best Active Heavyweight in MMA Today | The MMA Hour
Tom Aspinall discusses winning the UFC interim heavyweight title at UFC 295, his place among the top heavyweights Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou in the world today, his injury before UFC 295, his emotions heading into the fight, why he hugged Sergei Pavlovich before the fight, how he celebrated with his father after the fight, what’s next, and more.
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Putting hands on each other's shoulders was absolutely amazing between the two fighters. I saw nothing awkward or weird about it at all.
I thought it looked awesome personally, like 2 soldiers knowing they're about to go to war
They knew one them was about to live out there dream while the others dream would be crushed
Smart by Tom. Testament to his IQ, sneaky measure of the distance
They put two bombs on each other shoulder
He was measuring range
He's done the UK proud with his performance and also the manner in which he has carried himself.
im american and im proud i wanted sergai to win and im toms biggest suipporter because he is such an amazing man and champion he is what we needed in this sport bc everything has became hate
@@peacelove1854 you love him because he’s from your country, he forced me to love him even though I wanted my guy to win, the respect and poise he showed was truly inspiring and it’s just odd to me you’re telling me I’m not a big fan🤣
Tom represents for us in UK very well in his achievements and the way he conducts himself, leon edwards is the same, paddy pimblett on the other hand 🤢, let's go Tony!
I knew Tommy 'the tank head' Aspinall would do it. didn't even sweat.
@@daveyh6458 Paddy is a scouser they can keep him
So happy for this guy man. Just a genuine nice guy who deserves everything coming his way!
Genuinely arrogant. He's acting like he's the champion when all he did was win the placeholder belt.
Agreed
@@jvanek8512what a sad little life you must lead 😂
Yup, but saying he wants to wait until the summer for his next fight is a big miss for me. No reason for Stipe to wait until the summer to fight Tom(if he even wants to fight him) when he can wait slightly longer and fight Jon
@@mofishin2648 Dana said Stipe is not interested in Tom. He ONLY wants that Jones fight apparently
Aspinall should be the role model for all the kids in the UK instead of Fury and Joshua who only chase money for greed and nothing else. Aspinall has old values and principles like a true gentleman. And him sizing up his opponents and checking their reach by being too friendly with the handshakes and shoulder grabs is a brilliant strategy even if it's done unintentionally. The entrance with Sting's English man in New York made it even more epic.
Fury did Francis a favor , kinda back fired lol but fury definitely greater than Tom.
Just edit ✍️ one ☝️ piece all kids in every content. Great comment
@@thialhoinj1971yea Fury did Francois a favor and Fury didn’t take it serious enough or don’t want it anymore cause you can’t be out of shape like that and be respectable without completely dominating
Tom being Left-wing is just the cherry on top 💪
go watch soccer then
The actual heavyweight champ
😂
Teared up listening to him talk man. You can tell he's a genuinely good person who truly deserves and appreciates all the success and support.
Well said, good family man, recognizes the sacrifices his father made for his kids and is so grateful and appreciative
and just how he talks about other people as well like him getting choked up just talking about GSP, his kids, and the messages he got is so pure.@@Nammicus
@@Nammicusyall are so corny . This is mma , man up junior
You guys are hella soft
Tom smokes Francis in 1 round
The comment about his 7 year old son "i won the fight i'm number 1 in the world now'' ''Oh that's good , i got a new book yesterday'' chocked me up and made me laugh at the same time, how grounding kids can be , so proud of you Tom being from Bolton myself , the future is looking Soooooo bright!
Wow. What a down to earth guy. No big ego, no cockiness, just pure humility and grace. I was a fan before and now I'm a bigger fan now
Tom, you’re the most genuine man in MMA. You represent everything I respect about a mixed martial artist. I love how you conduct yourself, especially the respect and warmth you show towards your opponents. May you prosper and become a legend in the sport. Love you man.
Max Holloway? Alex Volkanovski? Leon Edwards? Tom! All of them are extremely genuine
Top man he did England proud on Remembrance Day congratulations Tommy!!! 🙏🏼 🏴 👑
Yeah let's ruin his win by linking it to the elites sending the working class into the forever wars to keep themselves rich...
The most humble champion in the UFC what a man. This man will take some beating
Forgetting Alex volkanovski pretty quick
@@mrmolloy I’m 🏴🏴 just stating. But yea sure Volk a great guy too👍🏼
@@jordanl9501bros from the uk💀💀💀watch out u might get stabbed bro
This is a guy who the kids should be looking up to. Really humble, shows great sportsmanship, non of this trash talking crap. He's done Britain 🇬🇧 proud.
Tom is such a Class Act!!! I'm American and I'm so proud! I wish that more Champions will follow his lead! Classy, honest and the Best Heavyweight, I believe, this Sport has ever had!!! I pray that the UFC really pays up and takes great care of this Elite Warrior!!!
Takes a strong confident person to say they’re scared; love how humble and honest he is. Congrats mate- huge win and i hope you get the Jones fight soon.
Why would he be fighting jones if jones and stipe r both retiring after their fight?😂
@@kylewade8704 Probs why he said he hopes he gets Kyle
@@kylewade8704they’re not fighting
In a sport filled with ego's Tom is a real breath of fresh air, humble, professional & eloquent out of the ring & a savage inside it. Massive congratulations
Tom is something special, fun to watch and very humble. Def became one of my favorites I hope he gets Jones, he earned it 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 wish him the best.
Epitome of a role model, humble, talented and genuine. Big love Tom 👊
It was cool how Tom gave Sergei a hug before the fight! Never seen that before. No awkwardness at all. Great sportsman - both of these men. :)
He was measuring his range Tom knew what he was doing
it was cringe
@@radicalrodriguez5912 Hehehe. 😀
@@RealMattKiefer Well you may well be right! :)
They should make Stipe vs Aspinall. Old school vs New school. If Stipe pulls it off, his fight with Jones would be that much bigger. If Aspinall wins, him vs Jones would easily be one of the biggest, most compelling HW fights of all time.
They still can
No way Stipe fights Aspinall.
Tom said he doesn't want to fight again until the summer, why would Stipe wait that long to fight Tom when he could wait slightly longer and fight Jon
@@KerinLockleyStipe might, he said they never asked him to fight Pavlovich and he was in the front row to watch the fight. He also hinted that he’d be open to fighting someone else and that he just wants the belt. I don’t think Jones will fight him if he beats Stipe though.
@@mofishin2648Jones is gonna be out for like 18 months.
Most dangerous fighter in the planet right now, physics sleeps when tom fights, a 260lb guy isn't suppose to move like that. Honestly only Francis has a chance of beating Tom and that is cause of his power other than that i can't see anyone else
isn't supposed not doesn't! but I agree
Jones and gane have a chance Gane ( only if he learned grappling now )
@@suhailshaikh8529Aspinal would absolutely demolish Gane. He got dropped by Tuivasa and out grappled by Ngannou.
@@__D-B__I think Tom wins, but MMA math don't work lmao & they're heavyweights, anything can happen
@@BigballsTerrence Bro Gane can't grapple, Aspinal would sub him any way he wants. Gane made a lot of rookie mistakes against Ngannou in the grappling transitions, if he does that against Tom he'll get finished real quick. In the Jones fight he leaned forward with his back against the cage, that's a mistake no title contender should be making. That's day 1 stuff.
Tommy Aspinall is the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion, and an exemplar of the sport. Long may he reign! 👑
Tom holding the shoulder of Pavlovich before the fight was a beautiful thing. Love and respect before a gladitorial bout, only those that don't understand would think it's awkward.
He should be really proud what an immense achievement, ive been on the bandwagon since his first or 2nd ufc fight to see him do that to that guy on Saturday under those circumstances and being injured throughout his "camp" wowww man I'm a huge fan but with all that against you and still doing it with class illl be a fan for life congratulations big Tom
What do u mean your on the bandwagon?😂u do know that means u support them and r a fan when they’re doing good but u don’t support when they aren’t right?💀
In his pre-fight interviews I did pick up on his cautious attitude, which I was a bit concerned about. Yet he’s quite modest about his abilities too, so I wasn’t sure whether he was being overly modest or lacked total confidence. Now I know it was his shoulder problem causing his cautiousness, particularly considering his knee gave way last year early on in a fight, which was a nightmare for him. It all makes sense now and obviously he was holding in a lot of anxiety and emotion considering how big this fight was. I’m so pleased for him and I think he’s only going to get more confident as time goes on. I don’t think he’ll get arrogant cos he’s not that type of guy, but his trust in himself will grow. I think he knows how good he really is, but this is just the start of his dominance in this division. I think Stipe and Gane are worried about his amazing speed and power, let alone his ground game, so I don’t know what they’re going to do. Jon Jones is the only guy who might be able to beat him but speed and age difference is going to be a big problem for Jones. That’s definitely the fight I hope happens if Jones can recover from his injury.
So happy for Tom. He's a great guy
He put on some impressive work on that last fight. Congratulations. 👍
Tom for me is like a Medieval knight! One who works for the king 👑 the strongest, but the most humble and nicest! A real human being 🙏🙏🙏
Well it's a digusting king, nothing like Tom at all, Tom is for and from the people
He is the king 🤴
@@bouncecentral230 Dana White is the King 👑 without him, it won't be UFC or any opportunity for Tom to shine!
@@Flipmodusoperandi Dana White is the King 👑 without him it won't be any UFC or opportunity for Tom to Shine!
@airanleon8538 my bad . I thought you meant Charles of Wales 🤣🤣 England you know.... Im cool with Dana 👈🏼
Knew he was something special when I 1st saw this guy, and gave him ratings. And now he's champ. Can't wait for his next fight
Great win by a great guy🎉🎉🎉
Great guy, phenomenal athlete. Couldn't be happier that this man is repping the UK. Such a wonderful soul
Let's go Tom! Watched this live but let's watch I again!
What a gent. All class , all the time.
When I watch Tom fight It feels very apparent that I’m watching the most skilled heavyweight ever
As someone who has battled back pain for the last 10 years and when I hurt myself, the things you take for granted in life you don’t even think about is a giant time consuming, unbearable undertaking, just blows my mind. So happy for this guy.
ya man I have constant annoying pain, I paid a Chripractor 5k to try and fix it but it didn’t work. He said I waited too long and it healed improperly. Just sucks all around mate, sorry about your back as well.
@Bill_Dippertly Sorry to hear about your pain as well. I don’t wish anyone to try and join our club.
@@Bill_Dippertlyhow did someone get u to pay 5k? That’s $100 a day for a year, and u can go to a chiro for under $20 lol, so unless ur going every day
@@kylewade8704 it was a whole ass program that lasted a year. It was mixed with phys therapy. Maybe it was too expensive. I mean it totally was since it didn’t help the pain, but I did feel better generally.
I for one, did not believe he was going to do it. Couldn’t be happier for him. Well done Tommy
Good for him!!,, humble and all class!!!
Go on tom lad. Love this guy
Yea, Ariel said it best about Tom his a real person. He doesn’t put up a front or get in character on or off the camera inn or out the cage. I think the respect 🫡 factor between the fighters on the Co- and main event were awesome Saturday night.
the respect they showed eachother made a brotha tear up ngl, props to sergei and tom
Tom is even more open than GSP with his feelings. He's an absolute legend of a fighter for everything he was up against on two weeks notice
IMO he is the true HW champion. knocked out the scariest guy in the division Jones came up to HW had an easy fight with Gane who has zero ground game & was about to fight a 41 year old Stipe with 1 win in nearly 4 years & was knocked out cold in his last fight.
You know Gane had kicked everyone's ass except Francis who took 5 rounds to beat him. Jones beat him without getting hit.
@@rc6149can’t even compare Francis performance against Gane he wasn’t fully healthy. His fight against Stipe is his true version
@@rc6149 Jones is hit or miss. Sure he dominated Gane, but he also had close fights with Reyes and Santos. Aspinall has been extremely consistent in dominating everyone he's faced. Gane was also only able to dominate everyone he fought because he was strategically matched up against other strikers. Ngannou exposed a weakness in Gane's game, Jones exploited it, and Aspinall would be able to do the same
@@rc6149 gane is a bum in everyone eyes after jones loss lmao
Well done Tom.
Congratulations Tom 👍
His post fight interviews have made me a fan. Congrats Tommy- can’t wait to see how much you dominate the hw division!
Earned, not given or deserved or meant to be… this man earned everything and that is the most savage part of this dude. Seems like a solid human, great father and family man. Let’s go
A very genuine and humble guy.
Love Tomm... really genuine and a amazing talent
BIG man BIG heart... Tom is such a nice bloke 👏!
Love too hear this man!! Happy for him one of my favourite fighters in UFC
What a gent! Total respect!
Ya know he’s not some kinda hype train from the UK!!! Let’s go Tommy!!!!
guru crew in the house ;)
Congratulations Tom!! A true warrior. 💪 Leopards are Massive!! 🐆🐆🐆
Alex, Tom, Jiri, Sergei. Sucks when we had to see 2 of those nicest guys loose. 👏🏻
Francis Ngannou 🇨🇲 vs Tom Aspinal 🏴 for the real LINEAL heavyweight🤴🔥🔥🔥
The gentleman instilled into Tom from his Rugby days shows in every single media interaction 👊🏾
1 minute, 9 seconds to pick up a belt. TRULY, THE CHAMPS CHAMP.
I didn’t get “weapy” like so many sayin but I ain’t English and I wasn’t even a Aspinall fan before this fight but, I was really impressed with Tom’s 7-8yr and old oldest child who was almost more concerned about, “his new book” that was awesome!
What an absolute legend!!! 🥰
Totally agree with Ton on the Stipe Vs Jones fight, with Jones out, Tom should be fighting Stipe next, in April at UFC 300, then the winner fights Jones July/August when Jones is back.
New breed of heavyweights- I'm loving it!
Tom “I’m getting choked up the more I think about it” Aspinall Love him
Toms seems like such a genuine good dude. Hard not to like
Legend in the making. Beautiful time for heavyweight MMA right now.
Congrats to him. It was a great victory. And he’s right the key word is “active”.
Is TA the English version of Canada’s GSP? A decent, killer champ? Sounds about right.
Lovely touch with the picture the late queen
He is the best in the world and on two weeks notice. Jon will forever look like he is scared and running if he doesn’t come back and face Tom. 🇬🇧
Buzzing for Tom 💪💪💪
Man Tom is sick! He movement is phenomenal. I know it's not his discipline of course but he is light on his feet like world class point Karate fighters who have blistering speed. He has heavyweight Raymond Daniels speed. Congratulations champ!
How can you not love that man. Future greatest!!!!
Best HW in the world right now and he’s an Englishman 👊🏽 🏴 👑🔥
Living legend 💯 Tom Aspinall is the dogs love plumbs 👊🏻
You and Michael both uk champs as frights on 2 weeks notice are the best of the best. Well done champ.
I think Tom vs Ciryl would be a good fight
6'5 260 with that kind of skills and speed is ridiculous. This man is an alien
If you’re looking at someone you want to be and should probably strive to be Men….this is your dude! We can all be better and there are still examples left out there 🙏
Everything he says is pure class. The true heavyweight champion of the world. Not interested in the UFC putting a belt on the line for a RETIRMENT fight with jones vs stipe
This guy represents the real England, not the greedy Fury or Joshua with their lying promoters. All power to Tom.
This.. 👏🏼
Humble AF👊
What a great inspiration Tom is, no training camp, no excuses AND NEW!!!
He’s an absolute legend and a typical northerner from a north east Uk lad it’s so good to see a humble lad who hasn’t forgot where he’s came from something us northerners all have drilled into us as a kid as we are the abused forgotten people of the country who have been shat on by the government for decades and it’s just so nice seeing a true blue northern lad do us all proud and he will have us all behind him because that’s the one thing we can do is back our own
But it’s hard to have excuses to win 😂😂😂
Love how Ariel gives so much love to the UK! I don’t care Ariel is our honorary Brit. Love the song of Tom Ariel you are amazing!
What a legend, Seems like such a down to earth guy, Love the way he said he was scared shitless, Well done from Australia,
Tom is definitely a special fighter and Human being! Hes in my Top 10 favorite UFC fighters!
Proper legend!
Same shots he hurt his back with won him the title 🏆 brilliant!
Well done tom stayed up till early hours to watch you bravo fella 👏
Hes not only the best "active " heavyweight but the best heavyweight period !!! Best we have had in years.. An thats just bein honest
Tom is a proper humble guy the perfect champion 🙏
The only time ive ever been so happy to see someone win the belt besides Tom would have to be Bisping or Brandon Moreno, when those 3 guys won I felt a genuine joy for them, unlike I have for any of the other champs. So well deserved and hard earned Tommy boy!! Now go celebrate and enjoy the fruits of ur hard work for a bit!
Tom vs Stipe is perfect for building Jon's return fight and I'd love to see it
Massive salute to Tom. 2.5 weeks notice. Barely any training due to an injury. First round impressive finish. What a badass. Cheers TA. You're the man, cannot wait for the next time you step in the cage. 🤘
Pride of Wigan!!!! Yes Ariel!!!!!! Love seeing another local lad become a champion. Our neck of the woods has produced some of the greatest
This man is a true role model athlete. Top lad
The best representation for the sport, the best striker in the HW division! Glad the good men are Champs. I like his aura....I like Jon Jone's aura. Even Sergei was great in representing the sport. This is how martial arts should be.
proud to say we have an heavyweight champion here in atherton 😊the towns buzzing 👊🏻
love this guy
kind of love how hes so unembarrassed about how scared of sergei he was people need to see stuff like that he conquered a demon cuz he worked hard and believed in it enough to get over the fear respect
Real talk, if someone ain't scared of Sergei they are either a psycho or they need to be on the short bus!!! Lol, that dude is a tank of a human and is absolutely TERRIFYING!!! 😂
Congratulations 👏 …. So happy for Tom a real fighter and real good dude
Wow pure greatness Tommy & Ariel
Excellent, well rounded fighter and the nicest guy in MMA today! Big up Tommy 👊