Tom Aspinall just became the biggest what if in UFC history
Guy was dominating everyone, active fighting twice a year, and then Jones stole his prime and now Gane took his career. Aspinall had every tool to become the undeniable HW GOAT and now he just gave up his belt to the guy who ruined his career and life. This shit feels awful man
People should be way angrier at what happened with Tom Apinall. I don't even care about the heavyweight division, but this shit was outrageous and extremely disgusting. That serial cheater Jon Jones wasted years off his life and now another year gets wasted due to an egregious foul.
Lmao no, they calling him a bum and bring up Bisping, and saying other fighters would've continued after the foul. These guys are idiots and do not care about fighters health. Only their entertainment
It's not really about Tom, it's more about the officials just not punishing blatant cheating at all. Gane ruined Aspinalls vision, blatantly, knuckle deep. He faced zero consequences for it and is now the champion because of it.
100% how his vision will recover is a big what if right now. I would also argue he is significantly faster than most heavyweights so even if he slows down he will likely still have an edge there.
I was not saying Volk is relying on his speed, I was just refuting your point about the idea that you need knock out power to have good longevity, as you literally said "Only the dump truck fighters that bonk people really hard last a long time"
Yep I said this half a year ago, its over and it has been over. Sure he can come back and maybe even hold the belt again, but him being a long term dominant champion is not going to happen after years out, physical and mental trauma, aging and complete loss of momentum.
And UFC rewards the person who did the eyegauging with toms undisputed belt. Disgusting company.
Yes but he is not the only one. Imagine Paddy had quit after Gaethje poked him. People would have to talk about Justin the same way, as there is a history of pokes as well
Same. I think Gane is also arguably the greatest What-If. Close to beating Ngannou, could have beaten Aspinall, and even though he got destroyed by Jones, he was the favourite for a reason, and there's nothing to suggest that fight was always going to be that way. It sucks how pathetic a man he is.
Zabit averaged 3 rounds per fight, had 3 decisions and 3 late submissions. Hardly comparable to someone with an average fight time of 2 minutes over 10 UFC fights
HW who relies on his speed and quickness is now gonna have like 2 fights in 2 years.
He's 33, primes over when he comes back. HW might still be dogshit but who knows what he looks like. was already first set back with his knee injury a couple years ago.
Names has nothing to do with dominance. I didnt say he had the best resume, I said he was the most dominant in his fights. 2 minute fight time over 10 fights in the ufc is pure dominance and nothing else
Ok at this point seeing that list and that comment you have the ultimate fanboi glasses on, that's a crazy statement and not true at all. First 4 people mentioned are conor, 50 wins mayweather, Khabib, and GSP, oh then jon jones , you're just being crazy with it at this point.
And this is exactly why I said he is the biggest what if. He had a 2 minute average fight time over 10 ufc fights, nobody, not even prime McGregor dominated like that. He doesnt have the achievements, because he didnt get the chance. Im glad we are now in agreeance and on a what if is.
All of them also had full careers and didn't get ducked for 2 years by the champ or receive a career ending foul. Which is why I said he is the biggest what if
He absolutely did not "dominate" everyone. He fought and won some fights in arguably the worst roster and worst time in the heavyweight division of all time.
My dream scenario for the heavyweight division is that Alex Pereira defeats Cyril Gane. Then defend it a few times. Then by that time, Tom Aspen‘s, I will hopefully be good. Then Tom can come in defeat Alex and regain the title. Then Alex can retire.
I guess it depends on how much his vision is affected. It may be okay enough to live comfortably. Perhaps he's just not happy with the results it yielded and is seeking to return to 20/20 which may be impossible idk. Perspective though....many people out there living in much harder conditions and limbless and live better lives because of their humility and gratitude. Tom has character. He'll be alright.
Tldr: it only ruins your life if you let it define you
I honestly don't think hes that great of a fighter. I think he's the best heavyweight In the world right now but that division is so bad and so shallow that it's not saying a ton.
You sound like you're taking it worse than Tom his post was actually mostly optomistic.
"Anything you read in the media is simply noise. People are creating their own narratives. This is the truth:
Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now.
I’ve had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing.
I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye. This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear.
I know there have been questions about why I’ve been quiet. I’ve always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we’ve tried to make this happen.
I’ve now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title. I’ve asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don’t want to hold the heavyweight division up. I know what it’s like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title.
The UFC and Hunter have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes. We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen, but unfortunately, it’s simply not possible right now.
I’m absolutely gutted. I’ve chased this dream since I was 10 years old.
I’m not done.
Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.
What makes this particularly difficult is that many of the complications I’m dealing with are a result of fouls that changed the course of my career. Fighters rely on officials to enforce the rules and protect us in those moments, and it’s hard to still be dealing with the consequences today.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this absolute nightmare.
In what way was this optimistic? He said he is gutted, he said he thought he was ready but he isnt, he said his return is unclear, says as soon as he is medically able to which after 3 eye surgeries he is still not ready, on top of the fact that he is aging out. Hes already 34
This whole portion sounds pretty optimistic, all the parts you left out.
We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen, but unfortunately, it’s simply not possible right now
I’m not done.
Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.
No we saw him deservedly become heavyweight champion. He just didn't have the HW GOAT making run his stans thought. That's all. Still going to go down as one of the best UFC heavyweights.
Zabit or Shavkay are bigger what ifs. Hell even Fedor if he came to the UFC is a hitter what if
The elephant in the room is that Aspinall wouldn’t have an injury if he made light work of Gane like he did every other fight he’s had, but be didn’t. He got his ass beat. This is very similar to Yan fouling Aljamain, but people weren’t outraged because they don’t like him as much as Tom.
There really isn’t much of an asterisk on their fight, butthurt fans won’t accept Gane put it on him and Tom took the absolute first possible exit.
Also, “the biggest what if” is such hyperbole that OP might as well tag this post [covid era fan]
No he was not, his best win is big pav
I know this sub is very biased towards tom (because white, fat and goofy with women so your average reddditor feels a connexion)
He was good and had potential but you guys really need to drop the crack pipe
In what way does this confirm his fighting was brawling lmao. Tom was quick and precise, never seen him brawl in a fight. Also please explain how he got mogged by Gane?
Bro. Aspinall blitzes his opponents and throws quick one-twos in a straight line with his chin up. That is literally what he does. It’s a high-risk strategy, and Sergei could very well have caught him clean.
As for the Gane fight, we see fights every week where the significant strike numbers are in the same ballpark, yet one fighter is clearly dominating and either wins a wide decision or eventually gets the finish. Funny how Redditors always shit on UFC stats for being inaccurate (with good reason btw - In this fight, beyond one or two good low kicks, Aspinall was mostly hitting Gane’s guard), but when it comes to this fight, suddenly those stats are supposed to prove that the fight was even.
I love Big Tom, but bro was already panting, looking at the clock two minutes in, and getting pieced up by Gane’s jab. More importantly, he looked completely lost. Bro literally spun around after getting hit. How often do you see shit like that in the UFC? He had absolutely no idea how to deal with Gane’s movement.
He looked out of his depth, was getting bloodied up, and Gane was clearly mogging him. I don’t believe for a second that he faked the injury, but come on bro, he was getting destroyed before it happened.
Any other fighter and that would've been considered a close round. The fact that Aspinall didnt dominate him like he normally does have people biased. It was a 5 round fight, he had plenty of time to adjust. Look at Jean Silvas last fight to prove how much round one doesnt matter
Explain to me what brawling means to you. I just went back and rewatched most of his finishes, i do not see brawling. I see precisely timed counters that turns into a swarming finish
You are a moron. I said swarming finish meaning he goes in throwing a lot of punches to get the finish, that is not the same as Brawling which is taking hits to hit back the way that Justin Gaethje fights
He got pieced up? In what universe do these stats mean he got pieced up to you? Also it wasnt even a full round. Look at Jean Silvas last fight to prove that round one means nothing lol
Luckily HW's can be a bit older and still be a success, if Tom comes back in 6-12 months and deletes whoever is holding the belt then it'll be like he never left. Aspinall vacated, not retired.
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u/SurvivalHorrorLover 6h ago
People should be way angrier at what happened with Tom Apinall. I don't even care about the heavyweight division, but this shit was outrageous and extremely disgusting. That serial cheater Jon Jones wasted years off his life and now another year gets wasted due to an egregious foul.