Tom Aspinall Could Switch To Boxing Because Of One Thing At The UFC That Annoys Him

🎗 39

The combat sports world is buzzing with speculation about the future of Tom Aspinall, the reigning UFC heavyweight champion. While Aspinall is preparing to defend his title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 after a 15-month layoff, another storyline has emerged that could completely change his career trajectory. His father and coach, Andy Aspinall, recently revealed that the family is seriously considering a transition to boxing, citing the massive disparity between fighter pay in the UFC compared to boxing.

Andy’s candid remarks—“I want him to have a big boxing payday… boxers are getting paid hundreds of times more… The UFC ain’t paying that kind of money… 1% of people who are as good as Tom should be paid”—have sparked widespread discussion among fans, analysts, and media outlets.

So why is a dominant UFC champion like Tom Aspinall even thinking about leaving MMA at the peak of his career? The answer lies in a mix of financial realities, career strategy, and long-term health considerations. Let’s break it all down in detail.

Tom Aspinall’s Rise to UFC Heavyweight Champion

Before we dive into the controversy, it’s important to understand just how fast Tom Aspinall has risen in the world of mixed martial arts.

Early career: Tom started in regional MMA circuits in England, where he quickly built a reputation for his speed, power, and well-rounded skill set for a heavyweight.
UFC breakthrough: He debuted in the UFC in 2020 and immediately made an impact with fast finishes. His blend of sharp boxing, slick submissions, and agile footwork made him stand out.
Champion status: By 2023, Aspinall captured the UFC interim heavyweight title and eventually cemented himself as the legitimate heavyweight champion.

At just 31 years old, Aspinall is in the prime of his career. His technical boxing ability and natural athleticism separate him from the slower, less versatile heavyweights of the past. And yet, despite being at the top of the most prestigious MMA organization in the world, financial concerns loom large.

The Pay Gap: UFC vs. Boxing

One of the core issues driving this conversation is the stark difference in fighter compensation between MMA and boxing.

UFC Pay Structure

In the UFC, fighter contracts typically consist of:

Base pay (a fixed purse to show up).
Win bonuses.
Performance bonuses (Fight of the Night, Performance of the Night).
Sponsorships (though these are limited due to the UFC’s exclusive Reebok/Nike/now Venum deal).

Even champions like Tom Aspinall often earn in the six to low seven figures per fight, with some pay-per-view shares for headline events. While that sounds like a lot, it pales in comparison to the purses in elite boxing.

Boxing Paydays

In boxing, top heavyweights earn astronomical sums:

Tyson Fury made over $30 million in his fights against Deontay Wilder.
Anthony Joshua regularly earns between $25–40 million per fight.
Canelo Álvarez, while not a heavyweight, is among the highest-paid athletes in the world, pulling in tens of millions annually.

By comparison, Tom Aspinall, as UFC heavyweight champion, is likely making just a fraction of that—even though he holds the equivalent prestige in MMA that Fury or Joshua have in boxing.

This discrepancy explains why Andy Aspinall emphasized the unfairness: “Boxers are getting paid hundreds of times more.”

Financial Motivation: The Driving Force

It’s no secret that money is the biggest motivator behind the consideration of a boxing switch. Even one or two high-profile boxing matches could financially set Tom and his family up for life.

Let’s consider some possible scenarios:

Tom Aspinall vs. Tyson Fury – A blockbuster all-British heavyweight showdown. Fury is the WBC heavyweight champion, and Aspinall already has sparring history with him. This fight could sell out Wembley Stadium and generate millions in pay-per-view buys. Estimated purse: $30–50 million.
Tom Aspinall vs. Anthony Joshua – Another all-British mega-fight. Joshua’s star power and Aspinall’s crossover appeal could easily rival the Fury fight in drawing power.
Crossover “MMA vs. Boxing” spectacle – Similar to Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather, where McGregor reportedly earned $100 million for a single fight. Aspinall could attract a similar kind of audience.

In contrast, even if Aspinall defends his UFC title multiple times, his cumulative earnings may never approach what one high-profile boxing match could generate.

Career Roadmap: What’s Next for Aspinall

According to Andy Aspinall, the family already has a loose roadmap for Tom’s next steps:

Recover fully and defend his title – Tom is preparing for his first title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. This is a crucial fight to solidify his status as champion.
Potential fight in England – Andy suggested organizing a UFC event in England, which would allow Tom to perform in front of his home crowd.
Transition to boxing – After consolidating his legacy in MMA, the next logical step would be to pursue a lucrative boxing match, possibly in late 2025 or 2026.

This plan reflects both ambition and pragmatism—Tom can maintain his UFC status while positioning himself for boxing’s financial windfall.

International Media Reactions

The conversation around Aspinall’s potential boxing switch hasn’t been confined to the UK. Major combat sports outlets across the world have chimed in.

MMAFighting highlighted Andy’s concerns about fighter pay and emphasized Tom’s unique position as a champion who deserves more.
MMAMania reported on Andy’s 12-month roadmap and underlined the appeal of boxing’s massive purses.
The Independent pointed out that Tom already has professional boxing experience, with a knockout win in 2017, and noted his training sessions with Tyson Fury as a strong foundation for a switch.

These reactions validate that the debate isn’t just hype—it’s a real issue in the broader sports landscape.

Health and Longevity: Beyond Money

While financial gain is a major factor, Andy Aspinall also raised another critical point: health and longevity.

MMA, particularly at heavyweight, takes a brutal toll on the body. The smaller gloves, diverse striking techniques, and grappling exchanges create constant risk of injury. Fighters often retire with long-term damage to their bodies and brains.

By contrast, while boxing certainly has its dangers, fighters can often enjoy longer careers with fewer grappling-related injuries. For someone like Tom, who has already endured years of MMA training, a move to boxing could prolong his athletic career while minimizing wear and tear.

As Andy put it: “I want him to get out while he’s still healthy.”

The Bigger Issue: UFC Fighter Pay

Tom Aspinall’s situation sheds light on a much larger issue: fighter pay in the UFC.

For years, critics have accused the UFC of underpaying its athletes compared to other major sports leagues. Consider this:

The NBA shares nearly 50% of its revenue with players.
The NFL and MLB have similar revenue-sharing models.
The UFC, by contrast, reportedly shares less than 20% of revenue with fighters.

Despite generating billions in revenue annually, UFC fighters—apart from a few megastars like Conor McGregor—often struggle to earn a fraction of what their counterparts in boxing or other sports make.

Aspinall’s potential boxing move is both a personal career choice and a symptom of a systemic problem within the UFC.

Potential Matchups in Boxing

If Tom Aspinall does step into the boxing ring, who could he face? Here are the most realistic and exciting possibilities:

Tyson Fury – The natural choice. Both British, both heavyweights, and both stars. Their sparring history makes the narrative even richer.
Anthony Joshua – Another huge domestic clash. AJ’s fan base combined with Aspinall’s MMA crossover appeal could create a mega-event.
Deontay Wilder – Known for his knockout power, Wilder vs. Aspinall would be a classic striker vs. striker showdown.
Francis Ngannou – The former UFC heavyweight champion who already transitioned to boxing. Aspinall vs. Ngannou could settle debates about UFC’s heavyweight hierarchy.

Each of these matchups could draw millions in revenue, offering Tom the payday of a lifetime.

Fan Reactions

Among fans, the debate is split:

Supporters argue that Tom deserves to be paid what he’s worth, and if boxing offers that, he should take it. They point to the UFC’s history of underpaying fighters as justification.
Critics worry that leaving UFC too early could damage his MMA legacy. They fear he might become a “money grab” fighter rather than cementing his place as an all-time great.
Neutral observers see the move as inevitable, given the financial incentives.

Regardless of opinion, the conversation highlights the passion fans have for Aspinall’s career choices.

Conclusion

Tom Aspinall stands at a crossroads. On one side is the UFC, where he reigns as heavyweight champion but earns modestly compared to his boxing counterparts. On the other side is the world of boxing, where even one fight could secure generational wealth for him and his family.

With his father Andy Aspinall openly advocating for a switch, the writing may already be on the wall. Whether Tom follows in the footsteps of fighters like Conor McGregor and Francis Ngannou, or remains loyal to the UFC, his decision will have major implications for combat sports.

Ultimately, this isn’t just about one fighter—it’s about the future of MMA fighter pay. Aspinall’s potential transition to boxing underscores the ongoing debate about fairness, revenue sharing, and the true value of athletes who put their bodies on the line.

For now, all eyes are on UFC 321, where Aspinall will defend his title against Ciryl Gane. But beyond that, the question remains: will the UFC heavyweight champion trade the Octagon for the boxing ring?

Only time will tell—but one thing is certain: Tom Aspinall deserves to be paid like the elite athlete he is.

let us know if you want even more coolness