Tom Aspinall’s father wants to see the UFC champ get paid in full.
The Tom Aspinall era is upon us after the British heavyweight got promoted from interim titleholder to undisputed champion over the summer.
Instead of unifying the title in a super-fight against Jon Jones, the new UFC Heavyweight Champion will make his first undisputed title defense vs. Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321 on Oct. 25.
Joining Aspinall along for the ride is his father and longtime coach, Andy Aspinall, who wouldn’t mind seeing his son make more money elsewhere.
Tom Aspinall’s dad expresses desire for boxing payday
A new upload to Tom Aspinall’s YouTube channel followed a day in the life of Andy Aspinall as he talks about the past, present, and potential future for the UFC heavyweight champ.
Aspinall prioritizes his son’s health, saying he can retire whenever he wants.
But before he does, Aspinall entertained the idea of crossing over into the boxing ring for a lucrative payday.
“Hopefully he’ll have a fight in January,” Aspinall said of what’s next for his son after UFC 321.
“I’d like him to headline a card in England if he wants to do that again,” Aspinall added.
“If he’s not bothered about the money, I’d love him to have a very highly-paid boxing match for the money,” Aspinall suggested.
“You know, the money’s there and I don’t see why somebody as talented as Tom shouldn’t have a piece of that money when the boxers are getting 100 times more, more than 100 times more.
“The UFC ain’t paying that type of money,” Aspinall explained.
“If they would, it would be great and he could get the money. But I think 1% of people who are very, very good should get paid. Compared to a football, soccer player, an American footballer who we’ve talked to in America, he’s earning a tiny fraction of what they’re earning and he’s one of the best in the world at doing what he does and not getting paid enough…”
“And it’s very dangerous,” Aspinall added.
“So when he’s got enough to get out of it, I’d say get out of it.”
Andy Aspinall says he doesn’t look at his son any differently now that he’s champion
Andy Aspinall has an interesting insight on his son, the UFC heavyweight champion of the world.
Not to say he’s not proud of him for the accomplishment, but Aspinall says he views UFC fighting just like any other job, which Tom happens to be the best at.
“It’s his job,” Aspinall said.
“You know, if I was doing a job, I’d want to be the best at doing the job and he’s inherited that trait and he’s trained really hard and he’s learned a lot and he’s very good. He deserves it.
“I think if he was a roofer, I’d hope he’d be a good roofer. If he chose to dig roads, I’d hope he’d enjoy. Doesn’t really matter, it’s just a job, it’s just what he does. I don’t think of him any differently at all…
“Because when do you know when you’ve made it? How do you know?” said Aspinall.
“Do you and Tom have a vision of when you’ve made it?” the interviewer asked.
“When he retires,” Aspinall responded.
“When he gets out of it healthy, that’s all I’m bothered about…”