What are the financial implications and perks of being a UFC champion?

As an interim champion, Tom Aspinall already received perks like pay-per-view points, which grant a cut of sales. Becoming the undisputed champion primarily means there's now only one belt in the division, consolidating his position as the top fighter, without significant contractual changes beyond what he previously had.

Who are Tom Aspinall's potential next opponents?

Tom Aspinall mentioned Ciryl Gane, a French fighter he'd like to face, and Jelton Almeida, a Brazilian whom he has not fought yet. He also noted Alexander Volkov, whom he has already beaten, is performing well.

What role did martial arts play in Tom Aspinall's early life and development?

Tom started training martial arts at age 8 with his father and brother. It became a safe space where he felt respected regardless of background and could express himself as a shy child. The individual nature of the sport instilled discipline and accountability, directly reflecting effort with results.

How does Tom Aspinall manage fear as a top-level MMA fighter?

Tom Aspinall admits to being scared before every fight, considering anyone who isn't either lying or foolish. He's learned to understand and accept fear, using it as a powerful fuel that enables him to perform at his best, rather than trying to suppress it.

What mental techniques does Tom Aspinall use for fight preparation?

Tom dedicates substantial time to mental preparation, including visualization and working with a hypnotherapist. He mentally 'drills' fight situations, such as walk-outs, thousands of times to make them feel normal, and consciously practices enjoying the present moment.

What were Tom Aspinall's financial struggles early in his professional MMA career?

Early in his career, Tom earned very little, making 50-100 quid per amateur fight and only 200 quid for his first pro fight. With three young children, he struggled to provide for his family, sometimes needing to borrow money from friends for fuel and nappies, feeling immense pressure and even demasculated.

How did his knee injury impact Tom Aspinall's career and personal growth?

The knee injury was the most devastating event, happening in front of 25,000 home fans. It forced him to reassess his life, cutting out negative influences and toxic people he had been superstitious about changing. This period of forced rest led to immense physical and mental growth, creating a 'completely different' Tom Aspinall.

What does Tom Aspinall admire about Jon Jones' fighting style?

Tom admires Jon Jones' extreme fighting IQ and strategic approach. Jones excels at making opponents fight on his terms, using his long reach (even as a former light heavyweight) and incredible distance management to control exchanges and constantly keep opponents guessing.

How does Tom Aspinall maintain an elite health and recovery routine?

Tom prioritizes recovery as much as training, aiming for 50% of his training time to be spent on activities like stretching, breathing exercises, sauna, swimming, and sleep. He also meticulously tracks his nutrition, experimenting and optimizing his diet based on how his body responds to different foods.

What is Tom Aspinall's experience with hypnotherapy?

Tom uses hypnotherapy twice a week for both personal and professional reasons, particularly to manage anxiety and improve sleep. He describes it as a relaxed state where a therapist guides him through stories, with his subconscious processing the information regardless of his conscious focus or even if he falls asleep.

How has Tom Aspinall dealt with OCD and anxiety?

Tom has dealt with OCD and anxiety since childhood, which once manifested as needing environmental perfection to feel safe. While he's gained control, traumatic events, like his son's hospital stay, can cause flare-ups. He actively works to keep it at bay, including limiting social media during fight camps.

What is Tom Aspinall's perspective on autism diagnosis and support in the UK?

Tom experienced firsthand the difficulties of getting an autism diagnosis for his son through the NHS, highlighting long waiting lists and a lack of support for parents. He believes the UK is failing the autistic community, stressing the critical importance of diagnosis for accessing funding, school help (like one-to-one teachers), and parental guidance.

Is Tom Aspinall concerned about retirement after his MMA career?

Yes, Tom admits to some concern about retirement, as MMA consumes so much of his time and entire routine (training, recovery, nutrition, sleep). He's unsure what will replace this all-encompassing lifestyle but is actively exploring future media and educational roles within MMA, including shares in businesses and a new show on TNT Sport.

Tom Aspinall Opens Up About Brain Damage & His Future In the UFC

The Diary Of A CEO

People & Blogs3 min read132 min video

Jun 26, 2025|629,719 views|14,442|1,505

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Tom Aspinall on becoming UFC Heavyweight Champion, managing fear, and his journey.

Key Insights

The mental aspect of fighting is often more crucial than physical preparation, especially under pressure.

Fear is a powerful fuel, and understanding it can be a significant advantage in high-stakes situations.

Consistency, perseverance, and outlasting challenges are underrated keys to success.

The reality of being a professional fighter involves significant financial struggles, especially early in a career.

Mental resilience, visualization, and developing a strong mindset are critical for overcoming adversity.

The journey to the top is often a long, arduous process, making 'overnight success' a decade in the making.

THE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

Tom Aspinall has become the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, a title he chased rigorously. While the retirement of Jon Jones paved the way for this, Aspinall emphasizes his primary goal was always the belt and being the number one fighter, not just defeating one specific opponent. He acknowledges the financial and career benefits of a potential Jon Jones fight but remains content with achieving the ultimate prize in the division.

NAVIGATING FEAR AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS

Aspinall reveals that despite being the number one heavyweight, he experiences fear before every fight. He views this fear not as a weakness, but as a powerful fuel that enhances his performance. He has developed mental strategies, including extensive visualization and working with a hypnotherapist, to manage this anxiety. This mental conditioning is essential, as he believes fight night is significantly more mental (80%+) than physical, unlike training (80% physical).

THE GRIND OF A FIGHTER'S CAREER

The path to success in MMA is arduous, often taking years of dedication before any significant recognition or financial reward. Aspinall recounts his early struggles, including fighting for minimal pay, borrowing money for basic necessities, and the immense pressure of providing for his wife and three children at a young age. He highlights that outlasting competitors and maintaining consistency are often more critical than raw talent.

FINDING PURPOSE AND RESILIENCE

MMA provided Aspinall with a sense of purpose, especially during his youth when he felt more comfortable and accepted in the gym environment than in other social settings. He emphasizes the accountability and structure that martial arts provides, forcing individuals to confront reality and improve consistently. This discipline has been crucial in shaping him, particularly after overcoming a career-threatening knee injury.

THE PIVOTAL KNEE INJURY AND GROWTH

A devastating knee injury in a title eliminator fight served as a major turning point for Aspinall. This period of forced rest allowed him to reassess his life, cutting out negative influences and refining his focus. While it was one of the worst things to happen in his career, he credits it with immense personal and professional growth, rebuilding himself mentally and physically.

CHALLENGES IN THE AUTISTIC COMMUNITY AND THE NHS

Aspinall shares his powerful experience navigating the challenges of getting a diagnosis for his autistic son. He highlights the significant delays and failures within the NHS system for autism diagnosis and support, contrasting it with the prompt emergency care provided. He stresses the critical importance of diagnosis for accessing support, education, and funding, emphasizing the struggles faced by many parents and children due to systemic issues.

THE REALITY OF FIGHT PAY AND CAREER LONGEVITY

He discusses the stark financial realities of MMA, where many fighters earn very little, especially in the early stages of their careers. While the UFC offers better pay, significant earnings are often tied to popularity and exciting fighting styles. Aspinall also reflects on career longevity, financial planning, and his desire to transition into other roles within MMA post-fighting, emphasizing the importance of continued involvement in the sport.

THE GENERATIONAL SHIFT AND BELIEF IN POTENTIAL

Aspinall represents a new generation of fighters, with the 'old guard' leaders nearing the end of their careers. He believes that anyone can achieve 'specialness' through hard work, focus, and self-belief, regardless of their background. He encourages aspiring individuals to aim for the highest goals and adjust their targets only if necessary, a philosophy he attributes to his own journey from a blue-collar town to becoming a world champion.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Supplements

●Products

●Software & Apps

●People Referenced

Tom Aspinall's Guide to Elite Performance & Life Management

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Dedicate significant time to physical training, including stretching, eating, sleeping, physio, and saunas (2015 seconds)

Prioritize mental training, including visualization and working with a hypnotherapist, spending at least as much time on it as physical training (2078 seconds)

Write down goals and affirmations (e.g., 'This week I will do this and enjoy it'; 'This year I will win two fights') and reread them regularly (2249 seconds)

Understand and accept fear, using it as fuel rather than trying to block it out (1854 seconds)

Purposely present a calm and confident demeanor, even if not feeling it internally, as your mind will follow your body's lead (7516 seconds)

Focus on consistency and outlasting others in pursuits, as it's massively underrated for long-term success (3050 seconds)

Maintain strict discipline in recovery, aiming for 50% of training time to be dedicated to activities like stretching, breathing, sauna, swimming, and sleep (5171 seconds)

Monitor nutrition by writing down what you eat, experimenting with eliminations/additions, and noting how you feel to optimize body function (5250 seconds)

Prioritize sleep, especially naps after intense training sessions, and be disciplined in protecting this recovery time from distractions (5308 seconds)

If you have children, seek quick diagnosis and support for developmental challenges like autism to provide necessary resources and guidance (6298 seconds)

Avoid This

Lie to yourself about fear; acknowledge it as a natural and powerful emotion (1879 seconds)

Let ego take control, especially after success (341 seconds)

Become so stressed about end results that you can't enjoy the present journey and special moments (2207 seconds)

Neglect a backup plan when pursuing high-risk careers like MMA, as financial stability is difficult to achieve (2489 seconds)

Surround yourself with toxic people or engage in time-wasting training sessions when striving for elite performance (3909 seconds)

Allow negative comments or 'regular people's' opinions to dictate your self-worth or career path, especially after setbacks (4222 seconds)

Be predictable in your approach if you are a fighter; keep opponents guessing and leverage any 'mystery' in your game (4881 seconds)

Let social media and outside noise interfere with focus during critical periods like training camp (5817 seconds)

Believe that wealth eliminates all problems, as new challenges often arise with money and fame (6886 seconds)

Discourage younger generations from aiming for the highest goals; encourage them to shoot as high as possible and readjust only if necessary (7242 seconds)

Common Questions

Tom Aspinall expected Jon Jones' retirement but was surprised by the timing, finding out the night it happened. He was very happy to move past this period of uncertainty in his career, stating his main goal was always the undisputed title, not necessarily fighting Jon Jones himself.

Topics

MMA UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones Career Longevity Financial Struggles Hypnotherapy Autism Awareness Injury Recovery Athlete Lifestyle Combat Sports

Mentioned in this video

personJon Jones

A legendary UFC fighter whose retirement led to Tom Aspinall becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. Tom respects his skill but notes his strategic fight choices.

personDana White

President of the UFC, mentioned in the context of potentially sending a text message about a future fight.

personSergey Pavlovich

The opponent Tom Aspinall fought for the interim heavyweight title in November 2023, where Tom secured a six-figure payday on short notice.

personConor McGregor

A well-known UFC fighter mentioned as one of the few who has made significant money from MMA.

personIan Garry

UFC fighter who also came from Cage Warriors, mentioned in the context of fighter earnings.

personPaddy Pimblett

UFC fighter, mentioned as someone who has made a good living from MMA.

personLeon Edwards

UFC fighter, mentioned as someone who has made a good living from MMA.

softwareSchool Platform

A platform where Tom Aspinall shares generalized techniques and strategy, but not his personal fighting game.

personCurtis Blaydes

The opponent Tom Aspinall was fighting when he suffered his knee injury, a loss he felt compelled to avenge.

personPaddy McGuinness

Host of 'A Question of Sport' and a father of three autistic children, who helped Tom Aspinall connect with a specialist for his son's autism diagnosis.

personGeorge St-Pierre (GSP)

An MMA legend and hero to Tom Aspinall, who admitted his fear before fights and developed a method of physically presenting calmness to influence his mental state.

productThe Diary of a CEO Conversation Cards

A card deck with questions designed to deepen conversations, created by the podcast host.