UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall practically hung up his gloves simply earlier than sustaining a severe damage towards Curtis Blaydes.
Tom Aspinall will make his first title protection because the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion at UFC 321 later this month. Aspinall and former interim titleholder Cyril Gane will headline a heavy card in Abu Dhabi, marking Aspinall’s first battle in additional than a yr.
Earlier than his present UFC success, Aspinall’s run got here to a screeching halt when he suffered a severe foot damage in July 2022 towards Curtis Blaydes. Simply 15 seconds into the sport, Aspinall broke his leg and was sidelined for a full yr earlier than resuming his profession.
For Aspinall, it was a serious setback in his profession and the primary adversity he confronted contained in the cage. Nonetheless, this incident was a turning level for him, as he had been contemplating quitting MMA a number of months earlier than his damage.
Tom Aspinall explains how a nasty foot damage endlessly modified the trajectory of his UFC profession
In a current dialogue TNT Sports activitiesAspinall spoke about one of many darkest moments in his life and profession.
“It was a extremely darkish place and I had an extended bout of feelings,” Aspinall mentioned. “Truthfully, earlier than I bought injured, I used to be half within the sport and half out of it. I did not know if I wished to proceed.
“I used to be doing issues I should not be doing outdoors the gymnasium, I wasn’t recovering and my coaching was horrible,” Aspinall defined. “There have been numerous issues that wanted to be modified.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Thankfully, Aspinall modified his methods and have become one of many high pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. A victory over Gane might carry Jon Jones again to the Octagon for a battle on the White Home subsequent yr.
Jones introduced his retirement in June and relinquished the UFC heavyweight belt, which was given to Aspinall by the promotion. However Jones has since pivoted to that stance and hopes to return to the cage subsequent yr.
