Is Tom too much of a boring British bloke to be popular?

[haj02]

He's had some really good fast knockouts but he just hasn't done that much in the sport yet. For some reason, a decent percentage of people think because Jones "ducked" him that he's inherited Jones aura and abilities - it just doesn't work like that.

 

[Harlekin]

He's funny and down to earth.
Real likeable actually.
Could need a social media manager, if he wants more money.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

I guess we just don’t think of them often as athletes. British entertainers do better over here.

Thats because the US sports scene is pretty insular and Brits dont compete in any of the American "big 4" sports. They're much more of a sporting powerhouse than somewhere like Brazil, arguably even have the edge over Russia.

 

[The_Renaissance]

As long as he's knocking lads out, he'll do just fine - I think he's got a decent personality, myself.

 

[TheBulge]

Guys like Tom are good for the sport, they are a counter balance to the crazy personalities(which you also need) who draw more. Imagine having every main card full of highly aggressive personalities that create drama, I would be put off. Sometimes you need a dose of calm confidence, classy martial arts vibes like Tom. Ying and Yang.

As far as your mention of Alex Pereira, I think that is a bit unfair. That man is a special individual in and out of the octagon and we might not see another like him for a long time.

 

[SuperAlly]

He's had some really good fast knockouts but he just hasn't done that much in the sport yet. For some reason, a decent percentage of people think because Jones "ducked" him that he's inherited Jones aura and abilities - it just doesn't work like that.

He did duck Jones and thats not what they think

Jones stans just make up shit to denigrate tjr guy who chased him out the sport

 

[Sycho Sid]

The UFC has done just such a ridiculously bad job promoting the heavyweight division for years. IT is embarrassing really.

 

[Dreyga Hates You Sherbums]

I've been trying to figure out why Tom Aspinall isn’t more of a star or doesn’t have as devoted a fanbase as some other champs or stars. He’s a heavyweight who knocks people out in a couple minutes, he’s got a decent social media game, and he seems like a genuinely nice guy. So why isn’t he as popular as Pereira?

It’s probably because he’s boring. He’s British but not a loudmouth, which seems to be a necessity in the UFC if you’re from the British Isles. The UFC just doesn’t know how to promote him.

He’s a pasty, flabby-ish, nice-enough British man with shitty tats. The UFC would probably have preferred he came from the Amazon instead.

The answer is activity. If Tom starts fighting regularly, he will become massive. His last flight was like 15 months ago, dude. Can’t become a star if you haven’t competed in more than a year.

 

[Portland8242]

Interesting take Dude goes wild on Tom

Hey @AndrewGolota48 we found your youtube channel!

 

[RockyLockridge]

I've been trying to figure out why Tom Aspinall isn’t more of a star or doesn’t have as devoted a fanbase as some other champs or stars.

Jones haters are some of the most devoted viewers in all of MMA tom will be fine. Unless he loses then the Jones haters will turn on him too

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

The reason why is because he's been making everything about Jon Jones. It's difficult to be a big star when he throws all the focus on someone else who won't fight him.

This seems objectively false. Since Jones "retired" Tom has shown nothing but disinterest when Jon's name comes up and asks the person to not mention him.

 

[RockyLockridge]

I can’t think of one British athlete that’s ever taken with the American public.

Not in a viral way

Maybe Beckham? And that wasn’t because he was such a great soccer player


I don’t think we like Brit’s that much. They talk weird

Tyson fury? lennox Lewis?

 

[TheTickG]

This seems objectively false. Since Jones "retired" Tom has shown nothing but disinterest when Jon's name comes up and asks the person to not mention him.

Jon Jones retired four months. Before that retirement, for about one year is what I am referencing.

 

[Humongo]

Interesting take Dude goes wild on Tom

He makes some good points mixed with some blatant bullshit, starting with saying that Gane fought Jon Jones in his prime.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

Jon Jones retired four months. Before that retirement, for about one year is what I am referencing.

Yea. Crazy the Interim champion was calling out the champion. Very normal behavior for the champion to refuse to fight the IC. Totally weird of Tom to have been talking about Jon.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

Tyson fury? lennox Lewis?

Yeah I mean Fury and AJ were, alongside Canelo, the biggest stars in boxing for the best part of a decade. Lennox and Prince Naseem were two of the bigger names of the 90s, Hatton was fairly big at one point too.

Obviously Brits dont compete in American football, baseball, hockey or basketball to any real degree, and they compete in different motorsports etc, so theres not going to be much exposure to them in the American sports world. Its only really boxing and MMA where theres crossover. Possibly tennis too but I honestly dont have a clue about that sport.

 

[mkess101]

Jon Jones retired four months. Before that retirement, for about one year is what I am referencing.

What exactly did you want him to say? He was asked the same questions over and over. He said he wanted the undisputed HW belt and he'd get it either by beating Jones or by Jones retiring. He was told over and over by the multi billion dollar organization that employs him to sit tight, the fight with Jones would be made. He had no leverage or ability to do anything but wait and assume a unification bout was gonna happen at some point.

 

[usernamee]

I mean it's way more likely for a fighter to not be spectacularly popular compared to average popularity even if they are champions. How many champions really have serious popularity even?

 

[mkess101]

Yeah I mean Fury and AJ were, alongside Canelo, the biggest stars in boxing for the best part of a decade. Lennox and Prince Naseem were two of the bigger names of the 90s, Hatton was fairly big at one point too.

Obviously Brits dont compete in American football, baseball, hockey or basketball to any real degree, and they compete in different motorsports etc, so theres not going to be much exposure to them in the American sports world. Its only really boxing and MMA where theres crossover. Possibly tennis too but I honestly dont have a clue about that sport.

Lewis Hamilton is probably the biggest sports star from England. F1 took awhile to catch on in the US, but it's huge now. He's not the top dog anymore but his name is still at the top of the list of F1 drivers.

 

[Caio]

He's just too 'perfect' I guess. He is big and strong, wins easily. Comes from a developed country, has a great dad who supported his carreer in martial arts, is polite and well spoken. He lacks an edge for casual fans.