Tom Aspinall opens up about retirement and says he would rather stop early than live with the after-effects

UFC interim champion reveals he prioritizes quality of life after seeing fellow fighters with permanent damage

Tom Aspinall is the interim UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/UFC India

Tom aspinall is the interim UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/UFC India

In a sport where youth often clashes with the brutality of longevity, Tom aspinall  reveals that he prefers to end his career early rather than risk irreversible consequences. In an interview with 'Mail Sport', the current UFC interim heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) admitted that future health weighs more than remaining at the top.

“I’d rather retire a little early than a little late. Some of my friends who have already retired have lifelong health problems. I recognize that I’m good at MMA, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get knocked out or hurt,” said the fighter, in a rare moment of vulnerability.

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Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria was one of the winners of the UFC 308 bonus / Reproduction Instagram UFC
Ilia Topuria announced his move up to UFC lightweight. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @iliatopuria

The contradiction between ambition and caution defines Aspinall's current moment. While he demands the unification of belts, the Briton knows that time is working against him. Jon Jones, considered by many to be the greatest of all time, has yet to make a decision about facing him. The American has signaled that he may abandon the belt without even making the fight happen in the UFC.

With just five years in the UFC, Tom is already seen as a disruptive force. His 15 professional MMA victories (all in the first round) include quick submissions and devastating knockouts, such as the one he delivered to Sergei Pavlovich, which put him on the direct route to 'Bones'. In his career, there are 15 positive results and three negative ones.

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