Tom Aspinall
Heavyweight · United Kingdom · UFC
Explosive, fast-handed striker with elite first-round finishing
Blinding hand speed for a heavyweight
Record & stats
| Division | Heavyweight |
|---|---|
| Categories | MMA |
| Promotion | UFC |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Born | Salford, England |
| Team | Team Kaobon |
| Pro debut | 2014 |
| Height | 196cm6′5″ |
| Reach | 198cm6′6″ |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Age | 33 |
| KO rate | 100% |
| Status | Active |
How the wins come
100% Finish rate- 12 KO/TKO · 80%
- 3 Submission · 20%
Titles & honors
- Former UFC Undisputed Heavyweight Champion (vacated the title in September 2026)
Biography
Tom Aspinall vacated the UFC heavyweight title in September 2026, and interim champion Ciryl Gane was promoted to undisputed champion (UFC announcement).
For a big man, Aspinall is an unusually fast and technical finisher. A pro since 2014 out of Team Kaobon in Manchester, he combines rare hand speed and footwork with a strong submission game.
He won the interim heavyweight title in 2023 by stopping Sergei Pavlovich in the first round, then defended it with a first-round TKO of Curtis Blaydes in 2024. He was elevated to undisputed champion in June 2025 when Jon Jones retired and vacated the title.
Nearly all of Aspinall's wins come inside the first round, a testament to his explosive starts. His first scheduled defense, against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 (October 2025), ended in a no contest after an accidental eye poke.
According to the UFC, Aspinall chose to vacate the title as he continues to recover from complications of the eye poke he suffered against Gane at UFC 321. In his own statement he said he reinjured his right eye in training for the expected Gane rematch and will wait to be cleared again. Gane had won the interim title by knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026 and was elevated to undisputed champion. On the UFC 331 broadcast (20 September JST), the UFC announced Gane's first defence against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 in New York on 14 November (local time).
His record is 15-3 (1 NC). In the official UFC rankings (updated 22 September 2026) he is No. 1 at heavyweight and No. 8 pound-for-pound. He remains active; no next fight has been announced as of 25 September 2026.
Sources (checked 25 September 2026)
- UFC — Gane-Hokit, Harrison-Nunes Headline UFC 334 In New York City (2026-09-20): https://www.ufc.com/news/gane-hokit-harrison-nunes-headline-ufc-334-new-york-city
- UFC — Ciryl Gane | Undisputed And Ready To Defend (2026-09-22): https://www.ufc.com/news/ciryl-gane-undisputed-and-ready-defend-polymarket-ufc-334
- UFC — Tom Aspinall athlete page: https://www.ufc.com/athlete/tom-aspinall
- UFC — Ciryl Gane athlete page: https://www.ufc.com/athlete/ciryl-gane
- UFC — Rankings (updated 22 September 2026): https://www.ufc.com/rankings
Fight history
- —Ciryl GaneNC R1
- WCurtis BlaydesW TKO R1
FAQ
- Is Tom Aspinall the UFC heavyweight champion?
- No (as of 25 September 2026). He became undisputed champion in June 2025, but in September 2026 he vacated the title as he continues to recover from an eye injury. Interim champion Ciryl Gane was promoted to undisputed champion, and the UFC has announced Gane's first defence against Josh Hokit at UFC 334 on 14 November (local time).
- What is Tom Aspinall's record?
- He is 15-3 with one no contest as of September 2026.
- Why is Aspinall known for first-round finishes?
- Most of his wins come inside the opening round thanks to his rare hand speed and explosive starts for a heavyweight.
- What happened in Aspinall's fight with Ciryl Gane?
- Their UFC 321 bout (October 2025) was ruled a no contest after an accidental eye poke.
Sources & last verified
Last verified
- UFC — Gane-Hokit, Harrison-Nunes Headline UFC 334 In New York City (2026-09-20) — UFC (retrieved )
- UFC — Ciryl Gane | Undisputed And Ready To Defend (2026-09-22) — UFC (retrieved )
- UFC — Tom Aspinall athlete page — UFC (retrieved )
- UFC — Ciryl Gane athlete page — UFC (retrieved )
- UFC — Rankings (updated 22 September 2026) — UFC (retrieved )