Copyright Essentially Sports
Jon Jones may not have given Tom Aspinall a fight, but he gave him the biggest gift of his career by retiring abruptly earlier this year. However, in doing so, he also took away the biggest money-making opportunity from ‘Honey Badger.’ So, Aspinall’s father/long-time trainer, Andy Aspinall, found another way for his son to make the big bucks. What? Well, boxing, of course! The Englishman has trained with Tyson Fury in the past, after all! After Aspinall’s first UFC heavyweight title defense against Ciryl Gane was confirmed by the UFC, daddy dearest expressed interest in a boxing match for his son. “I’d love him to have a very highly paid boxing match for the money. The money’s there, and I don’t see why somebody as talented as Tom shouldn’t have a piece of that money when the boxers are getting a hundred times more,” he said on his YouTube channel last month. But does Tom want that? ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Tom Aspinall defies his father’s wish Speaking to the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Shakiel Mahjouri of SHAK MMA brought up the statement from Aspinall’s father. Mahjouri noted that with Zuffa Boxing—Dana White’s boxing venture—about to launch next year, a move to boxing could be a smooth transition for the Brit. He asked Aspinall whether such a crossover interests him and how confident he feels about his potential in the ring. “It’s not something I’ve given great thought, to be honest,” Aspinall admitted candidly. “It’s not something that I’m really interested in at the moment.” However, the heavyweight champion didn’t completely shut the door on the idea. “So, yeah, if I want to do that later down the line, I might do it. But right now, I’m just focused on being the UFC champ,” Aspinall told Mahjouri during the interview. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad For now, Tom Aspinall’s attention is locked on Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on November 25. While boxing can wait—a potential rematch might not. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Aspinall wants a rematch after Ciryl Gane The English UFC heavyweight champion has his sights set on a potential rematch against Alexander Volkov, but only after he settles his business with Ciryl Gane. Reflecting on the Russian’s recent form, Aspinall praised his former opponent’s evolution since their 2022 clash. “He’s looked really good,” he said. “I knew how good he was when I was fighting him… I [know] he’s really good.” ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Volkov, who has picked up four wins since losing to Aspinall, remains one of the toughest contenders in the division. He is currently slated to square off against Jailton Almeida on the undercard of Aspinall vs. Gane, and if the Russian wins, Aspinall is ready to go. “I think that if he wins this fight, and I win my fight, it’s going to be a rematch on the card,” Aspinall told Adam Catterall and Paul Craig during an interview on TNT Fight Sports. Having said that, fans will have to wait to watch Tom Aspinall switch gloves. For Tom Aspinall, it’s Gane and then Volkov, potentially. But do you think Aspinall’s dominance in the UFC would carry on to the squared circle?
