Tom Aspinall is one of the most exciting young fighters in the heavyweight division. He boasts a 100% finish rate in the UFC, with four fights to his name so far. His soft-spoken demeanor and humble persona avoided the hype train enjoyed by fellow Englishman Paddy Pimblett, but Aspinall is happy to remain patient in his pursuit of MMA greatness.
Aspinall went in-depth on his patient approach to fighting on The MMA Hour. “I want to deserve my shot. I’m not trying to be a hype job. I’m not trying to do that. I’m trying to fight everybody in this thing. I’m trying to beat everybody.”
Tom Aspinall Explains Heavyweight Patience: “I’m Trying to Beat Everybody”
Aspinall often talks about taking things slowly, and rarely calls out particular fighters. Compared to most UFC prospects, who make it their business to talk trash about anyone ranked above them, it’s a refreshing change of pace.
“It’s kind of the gift and the curse of the heavyweight division. The reason why I always talk about taking it slow and stuff like that is a lot of people get it confused and think I’m not very confident.
I think it’s completely the opposite. The fact is I’m very confident in myself and my own ability. I’m just aware enough to know I need more experience to compete with these guys who have had multiple five-round fights.
None of my fights have gone past like a round and a half yet. This experience, you cannot buy this stuff. This is very valuable and I’m completely aware that I need that stuff to compete with these guys. That’s what they’ve got over me. I feel like I’ve got a lot of other stuff over them. Speed, power, skill, all this kind of stuff.
I feel I’ve got that over most of the guys but one thing I’ve not got, which is also very important, is the experience. I want to build that up.”
Aspinall plans on staying in the UFC’s heavyweight division for at least another ten years. Working a “regular job” is not an option for the young English fighter.
“What’s the damn rush? What’s the rush in this thing? I’m 28. Heavyweights go to the early 40s. I want to stick around. I’m not trying to be a flash in the pan. I’m not trying to be a hype job as we say in the UK. I want to earn my way up.
I want to take out these guys out and get the experience on the way and do my thing and enjoy myself and make money and improve as I’m going.
I’m not just trying to get there cause everyone thinks I’m good and then turns out I’m not good and I have to go back to working a regular job.
I don’t want to do that sh*t. I want to earn my way up and enjoy this stuff and provide for my family on the way and when I get there, I want to stay there as well.”
Is this an instance where slow and steady will win the race, or does Tom Aspinall need to step on the gas and take on ranked opponents? Let us know in the comments.
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