“I am a Prizefighter” – Tom Aspinall Explain Dad’s ‘Boxing Dream’ That Drew Public Backlash

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall clears the fog around his dads comments for a potential move to boxing for better pay.

“I am a Prizefighter” – Tom Aspinall Explain Dad’s ‘Boxing Dream’ That Drew Public Backlash

Tom Aspinall talks about his boxing aspirations (via MMA Mania)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Tom Aspinall entered UFC 321 as one of the division’s most popular figures, but the aftermath of the eye poke incident shifted the tone around his career. The backlash that followed affected his public demeanor, prompting broader scrutiny of his future. The situation intensified when he recently addressed his father’s comments about a potential move to boxing.

Andy Aspinall has been central to his son’s development, training him from the start of his combat sports career and guiding him through the British regional scene into the UFC. He previously suggested that boxing could offer his son greater financial rewards. His perspective added fuel to ongoing discussions about the heavyweight champion’s long-term path.

These comments drew criticism from UFC CEO Dana White, who viewed them as unnecessary tension during a critical period. Longtime British compatriot Michael Bisping also cautioned Aspinall against clashing with the promotion. The champion, however, recently clarified his stance, explaining that his father’s statements did not necessarily reflect his own plans.

My dad always said that he wanted me to box from the beginning. Those remarks were coming from my dad and not from me and also what did we get into this Combat Sports thing to do? I am a Prizefighter, you want to fight for the most money possible and my dad being a dad for me sees me out there risking my life for the most money possible, so I think that’s what he was getting out with that, he was just being honest.

Tom Aspinall via The Ariel Helwani Show

The eye poke also raised significant medical concerns for Aspinall, leaving him with blurred vision and forcing him to limit training while recovering. Andy Aspinall questioned the UFC’s recurring eye-poke incidents, arguing that the promotion has yet to address the issue with meaningful rule changes. The situation reignited debate over fighter safety and officiating consistency in major bouts.

Aspinall’s history in boxing adds further intrigue to the discussion, as he competed in the sport during his early athletic years before transitioning fully to MMA. He has maintained strong ties to the Fury family, having trained alongside Tyson Fury and Tommy Fury during the initial stages of his career. These connections fuel speculation about how seamlessly he could shift into high-level boxing.

Following UFC 321, Tom Aspinall faced a wave of criticism surrounding the controversial ending, his health updates, and the public debate sparked by his father’s comments. The heavyweight champion has since taken steps to clarify his intentions, distancing himself from speculation about an immediate crossover. As scrutiny continues, he appears determined to reassert control over the narrative.

Tom Aspinall calls out Jon Jones’ comments after UFC 321

Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall have shared a lengthy competitive tension dating back to Jones’ brief heavyweight title reign, during which he declined to face the rising British champion. Their rivalry continued online, fueled by speculation about a potential matchup that never materialized. This ongoing history set the stage for their latest exchange.

Jon Jones once again calls out Tom Aspinall for quitting
Jon Jones once again calls out Tom Aspinall for quitting (via Bleacher Report, BBC)

Following the UFC 321 eye-poke incident, Jones accused Aspinall of quitting, reigniting their rivalry at a sensitive moment in Aspinall’s recovery. The criticism prompted the heavyweight champion to respond directly, addressing Jones’ comments and reinforcing his own position. The interaction added another chapter to their increasingly personal feud.

The situation escalated further when Jones trolled Aspinall by arriving at an event on horseback, who had an eye patch, and later changed his profile picture to a duck with an eye patch. These gestures amplified the online storyline surrounding their tension. As both fighters continue to trade jabs from different stages of their careers, the rivalry remains one of the division’s most unresolved narratives.

Also Read: