Tom Aspinall
Active 2020–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 94.0
Scouting report
Capturing the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship with a first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 before defending it with a first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, Tom Aspinall combines footwork with submission grappling. Originating from Salford, England, he is powered by a 95 Boxing rating, 94 Strength, and 94 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Aspinall burst onto the UFC heavyweight scene across 2020 and 2021, scoring four consecutive stoppage victories over Jake Collier on Fight Island, Alan Baudot, Andrei Arlovski via rear-naked choke in Las Vegas, and Serghei Spivac. His hand speed, footwork, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt transitions are reflected in a 92 Boxing and 86 Wrestling.
Aspinall achieved heavyweight status between 2022 and 2024, submitting Alexander Volkov with an armbar and stopping Marcin Tybura in London, knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in round one at UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden to capture the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship, and knocking out Curtis Blaydes in round one at UFC 304 in Manchester. His hand speed, boxing combinations, and wrestling justify his 95 Boxing and 90 Wrestling.
Tom Aspinall and the fastest hands at heavyweight
Tom Aspinall is the rare heavyweight who combines real speed with a strong grappling base. Many of his wins in the top promotion ended in the first round, including the stoppage of Curtis Blaydes that took only seconds. He is a pick for people who want a finisher who does not need long to work.
Aspinall, one rating at a time
Boxing. Fast, sharp and accurate. He hits before big opponents can set their feet.
Kickboxing. Very good. His kicks and knees are used sparingly but they land cleanly.
Wrestling. Strong takedowns and good defense mean he can decide where the fight takes place.
BJJ. A quick finisher on the mat. He has ended fights with submissions as well as strikes.
Strength. Comfortable at heavyweight. He is not the biggest man in the division, but he moves people around.
Durability. Solid, though there is less evidence about his chin against the very hardest hitters.
Cardio. Good. His approach ends most fights early, so few opponents have pushed him deep.
Fight IQ. Very good. He seems to read exchanges quickly and react before others commit.
Boxing gives him the first strike
At heavyweight, the first clean punch often decides the exchange. Aspinall's hand speed means opponents feel that punch before they can respond. It makes him a strong choice if you would rather end things fast than grind.
Nothing broken, but kicks are the lightest: Kickboxing
Every category sits high, so the weak pick is a small one. Kickboxing is where his card is a notch lower, and a long-range specialist could make him work for openings. Call it a minor gap rather than a hole.
Keep exploring
Closest heavyweight profiles to Tom Aspinall, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Jon Jonesbest fight iq 99 · weakest boxing 90
- Ciryl Ganebest kickboxing 93 · weakest wrestling 80
- Fabricio Werdumbest bjj 98 · weakest wrestling 82
- Stipe Miocicbest boxing 93 · weakest bjj 80
- Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Tom Aspinall's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Tom Aspinall into your build
Tom Aspinall enters the pool on any spin landing on heavyweight between 2020 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Tom Aspinall is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Tom Aspinall's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.