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Undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is on the move. The 32-year-old is mere days away from his blockbuster fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Yas Island at the Etihad Arena. And it’s a big day for the 6-foot-5-inch heavyweight, as he prepares to defend his newly acquired title. The fight will be his first title defense since Jon Jones called it quits from MMA, leaving him and the fans disappointed. As the English champion looks forward to making the best of what he’s got, he has secured a massive sponsorship deal. UFC’s Instagram handle announced the good news on social media earlier today. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad Tom Aspinall is now a ‘Drip Water’ Athlete “Just in [Tom Aspinall] is now a [Drip Water] athlete,” UFC wrote on Instagram alongside a promotional video to announce the partnership, featuring Aspinall. “The Water of Sport meets the UFC heavyweight champion.” In February this year, the UK’s premier lifestyle water brand, which was founded by British TV chef and musician Big Zuu in October 2023, confirmed an equity investment from Raya Holding. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The investment was worth $5 million, which helped the brand expand across the Middle East and increased its valuation to $125 million. Regardless, this is far from the only deal Tom Aspinall has had in recent years. In March this year, the Team Kaobon member became an ambassador for SPRIBE, a software developer specializing in casino gaming. He has also partnered with UltraMMA, a charity-focused organisation that hosts MMA and boxing events. Furthermore, he has a sponsorship deal with Beast Pharm, a sports supplement brand co-developed by Eddie Hall. But arguably the most significant sponsorship deal for Aspinall is his partnership with a sportswear giant, fueling his rise as UFC heavyweight champion. Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Aspinall signed a deal with sportswear brand Champion In May this year, Tom Aspinall signed a new partnership with iconic sportswear brand Champion. This marked a major step in his rise beyond the UFC Octagon. The collaboration included a campaign and the launch of his debut apparel capsule, ‘Heavyweight Champion.’ It was inspired by the brand’s century-long sportswear heritage. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Champion, a brand with global reach and deep roots in sport,” said Aspinall. “Champion’s values reflect who I am and what I want to do in MMA. I’ve always said I believe I can transcend the sport into the mainstream.” The collection blends performance and lifestyle elements, along with the ‘00.02.02’ timestamp—a nod to the average duration of Aspinall’s fights.
