Tom Aspinall

English heavyweight who won interim gold in 2023, was elevated to undisputed champion in 2025 after Jon Jones's retirement.

Thomas Paul Aspinall was born on 11 April 1993 in Salford, England, and began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at his family's own academy from a young age, turning professional in mixed martial arts in 2014 and developing into one of the most explosive finishers in the UFC heavyweight division. Aspinall, who trains with Team Kaobon in Liverpool, built his reputation on devastating first-round finishes, holding the UFC record for shortest average fight time at just over two minutes, having finished six of his first eight UFC wins inside the opening round. Aspinall delivered a signature victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC London in 2022, submitting the Russian veteran with a straight armbar in front of an ecstatic home crowd, before winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship, becoming one of the most popular British fighters in the promotion's history. Aspinall has continued to defend his title at the top of the heavyweight division, renowned for his combination of size, speed, and finishing ability rarely seen among heavyweight competitors, and remains one of the most explosive and must-watch champions in the modern UFC.

Aspinall is renowned for his exceptional speed and agility for a heavyweight, combining fluid striking with strong grappling skills. He possesses excellent cardio and conditioning that allows him to maintain a high pace throughout fights. His striking is technical and varied, while his ground game is equally dangerous with solid submission skills.

Aspinall has helped elevate British MMA on the global stage and represents a new generation of well-rounded heavyweight fighters.

• Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion 2023
• Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion 2025-present
• seven first-round UFC finishes