Tom Aspinall’s unassuming persona belies his viciously efficient mixed martial arts prowess. After dispatching Alexander Volkov via submission in only the first round of his headline performance at UFC London this weekend, Aspinall maintained a level head. He’s aware that the secret to his success should remain just that – a secret.
Speaking to the press post-fight, Aspinall explained how he feels about the heavyweight top ten, who he wants to fight next, and why he wants to remain the world’s most mysterious heavyweight.
Is Tom Aspinall “The Biggest Mystery in Heavyweight MMA”?
“It couldn’t have gone any better. That was the ideal performance. I truly thought I was gonna go five rounds. To get a guy like Volkov, who has been finished twice [in the UFC], out of there in the first round, just shows credit to my finishing ability. My finishing ability is the highest of the high level.
[It was] everything I dreamed of and more. Unbelievable. I see a lot of media and s*** like that, ‘Oh, he’s gonna feel the pressure when he fights in front of a crowd. Oh, he’s gonna feel the pressure with Volkov who is a veteran.’ Other people might feel the pressure. Other people are not me. I’m different.”
Aspinall went on to remind the assembled press that, thanks to his penchant for early finishes, he hasn’t even begun to plumb the depths of his fighting ability. “I didn’t really show much.
I keep it that way every time if I can. I want to be the biggest mystery in heavyweight MMA. These people think they know about me — nobody knows about me. These people think they know what they’re up against — nobody knows what they’re up against. Let’s keep it a secret.”
Aspinall, after a long time keeping away from the top shelf of the UFC heavyweight division, now wants a big name. With the 265-pound title tied up by Francis Ngannou’s knee surgery and contractual limbo with the UFC, the fighters at the top of the crop will be looking to move in on UFC gold. Tom Aspinall is no different, and he wants a piece of another rising heavyweight star: Tai Tuivasa.
“Big fan of Tai. Big shout out to Tai. The reason why I called out Tai is, first of all, I’m a massive fan of his style. Second of all, massive fan of his personality.
And the crowd goes wild when he fights, and apparently, the crowd goes wild when I fight. So me and him in the UK? Come on, bro! What a good time that would be. Let’s line it up. Next UK card, get me and Tai on it.
I’m a shoey virgin at the moment, but if Tai wants to do one, I will. Big shout-out to Tai for doing his thing.” Would you watch Aspinall vs Tuivasa? Let us know in the comments.
