Tom Aspinall switched to boxing to fund his MMA career before he became the UFC heavyweight champion.
Aspinall makes his first defence of the undisputed belt on Saturday night at UFC 321, but in 2016, he was struggling financially in mixed martial arts and felt he wasn’t getting many rewards from the sport.
So, he decided to start training in the sweet science, utilising his close relationship with the Fury family to prepare for his first professional boxing fight.
Aspinall was 4-2 at the time as a 23-year-old pro MMA fighter, but a lack of solid opposition led him to the squared circle to make some money.
He formed a partnership with Peter Fury — Tyson Fury’s uncle — who trained Aspinall for what would be his first and only pro boxing fight to date.
How did Tom Aspinall’s only pro boxing fight end?
Aspinall faced Tamas Bajzath at Wythenshawe Forum leisure centre in Manchester on June 24, 2017, seven months after he started to train in boxing.
The bout almost perfectly foreshadowed what was to come in the Mancunian’s combat sports career (he has the shortest average fight time in UFC history), as it was all over in less than 90 seconds.
Aspinall immediately put his foot on the gas, swinging and connecting with his Hungarian opponent, forcing him back to the ropes before scoring his first knockdown with a deadly left hook.
Bajzath made it to his feet as the referee counted to eight, but Aspinall was straight back in with another flurry of shots that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas once again.
Aspinall remained calm and composed as Bajzath gathered the strength to stand up one final time.
The Englishman then let his jab go wild, backing Bajzath all the way to the corner before the latter ultimately gave up, as he failed to meet the referee’s third standing count.
MMA fans couldn’t resist reacting to the video that has resurfaced ahead of Aspinall’s heavyweight title defence against Ciryl Gane this weekend.
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One wrote on X: “This guy was made to be an MMA fighter, you could see him having to hold himself back from delivering vicious ground and pound when he knocked his opponent down.”
Another said: “He’s precise for a big man.”
While a third added: “Has Tom ever gone past the second round in any format?”
The answer to the above is no, Aspinall has never entered the third round in any of his 18 professional MMA fights.
His experience in the boxing ring has just been brought to light again ahead of UFC 321, following comments made by his dad and longtime coach, Andy.
Aspinall: I’ll box if I take out the whole UFC heavyweight division
Last month, Andy said he would ‘love’ for his son to make the switch to boxing, as there is more money in the sport compared to what he gets paid in the UFC.
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Andy doubled down on his comments in the buildup to UFC 321 this week in Abu Dhabi, telling RMC Sport Combat that he doesn’t want Aspinall to sign a new contract with Dana White’s promotion after his current three-fight deal expires.
In an exclusive interview with talkSPORT.com, Aspinall addressed a potential future in the squared circle, leaving the door wide open to the move.
“Maybe, but it’s not something I give a lot of great thought to,” he said when asked if he would take action on his dad’s advice.
“I never think too far in the future anyway — maybe one day I’ll do it if I do well and take out the whole division.
“I’ve got some boxing experience, but I’m by no means a world-level boxer.
“That’s why I’m not looking too much into it right now. If the opportunity comes down the line, and I’m in a good place to do it, I’ll do it.
“Right now, that’s not of interest.”
Aspinall may not have thought about a move into the boxing ring yet, but he is definitely not the only UFC fighter being asked about it.
Both UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria have previously teased their entrance into the world of boxing.
And it may actually be easier now than it has ever been, given UFC CEO White has laid out a bold plan to revive the sport in his new role working under new promotion Zuffa Boxing.
