The 2023 Heavies' Awards: Breakthrough Fighter of the Year - WINNER: TOM ASPINALL!

[Valhoven]

​

What’s long stayed with me is something Gunnar Nelson said in an older interview; that, martial arts isn’t about fighting at all, really – but adapting.

To say, when you fight to fight, you’ve already lost. In fighting to adapt rather, there is always victory. When I see the below five finalists who broke through this year in MMA, the single thread for each is their ability to persevere and – yeah, you guessed it, to adapt.

So in the spirit of Gunnar's wise words, let’s meet these five adaption specialists, and then vote for which makes for your 2023 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year!

–––

Name: Tom Aspinall (England)

Showing: 2-0

Highlights: Overcomes knee injury to earn a R1 TKO over Marcin Tybura, then nabs interim UFC HW title with another R1 reckoning in KO of Sergei Pavlovich.

Fun fact: Tom had a painful growth spurt after his sixteenth birthday, where in just over 12 months he grew from 5’8 (173 cm) to 6’5 (196 cm), leaving him many days bed-ridden from back pain and having scans done thinking he suffered a debilitating condition needing medical diagnosis.



–––

Name: Ian Garry (Ireland)

Showing: 3-0

Highlights: Enters WW rankings by way of two KOs and Hibernian domination over Neil Magny.

Fun fact: Fellow Irishman Conor McGregor was a force in young Ian’s expansion into MMA; originally passionate about boxing, he then cross-trained in judo after seeing Conor’s meteoric rise on the international stage and the rest is history.



–––

Name: Dricus du Plessis (South Africa)

Showing: 2-0

Highlights: Manages two R2 TKO finishes of both Derek Brunson and the ever-crafty Bobby Knuckles, earning him a coveted MW title shot as well as war of words with champ Israel Adesanya.

Fun fact: Dricus, whose surname comes from Old French for a fence made of branches, is a passionate rugby fan who played throughout his schooling and has remained a vocal supporter of South Africa’s revered national team, the Springboks.



–––

Name: Impa Kasanganay (USA)

Showing: 5-0

Highlights: Former DWCS and UFC WW who finds his calling at LHW, rattling off 5 wins this year by way of 2 decisions and 3 finishes – and earning 1M USD in the process.

Fun fact: Born to Congolese parents in Florida, USA and a practicing Christian, his nick ’Tshilobo’ means brave in the Bantu languages of Central Africa.



–––

Name: Brendan Allen (USA)

Showing: 3-0

Highlights: Breaches top 10 MW with 3 submission victories – all RNCs.

Fun fact: Originally an American football player, Brendan’s elder brother got him into watching UFC when he was soon after introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu through a local class, never looking back and eventually finding himself under the wing of U.S. Navy Seabees and MMA veteran Rich Clementi.

 

[BoxerMaurits]

 

[Paynebringer]

If not Tom my vote would've gone to DDP. For me it's not all about what you do the cage, but how you carry yourself out of it. Both men carry themselves well.

 

[Luthien]

No idea who that Impa guy even is <45>
DDP gets my vote

 

[BangBang]

If not Tom my vote would've gone to DDP. For me it's not all about what you do the cage, but how you carry yourself out of it. Both men carry themselves well.

Apart from trivialising the child abuse Sean received as a child, he seems like a top bloke I agree.

Joking aside though, he seems like a straight arrow and the Strickland comments may have been out of character.

 

[BangBang]

The answer is Aspinall of course. You’re talking about a potential GOAT here.

 

[STRAWBOSS]

i'm spurting. gonna vote tom.

 

[KarateYeah]

Thisss is good

Of the options: A Spin All

 

[KarateYeah]

No idea who that Impa guy even is <45>
DDP gets my vote

Oompa Loompa's Cousin

 

[Liverkick-king56]

I want to go with Impa Kasanganay but his level of competition is pretty low. PFL has some legit talent but their LHW division is horrific.

DDP gets my vote. Beating Whittaker was one of the biggest upsets and he proved he belongs at the top of MW after going through hell and back against Tavares and Brunson being seen as nothing more than a brawler at 1st.

 

[Dirty Frank]

Only recently heard of his exploits over at PFL, but I've always loved the dude. Something about him just screams silent, humble and workmanlike.

So I voted Impa.

 

[Siver!]

Yeah, I think Break Out and Break Through are a little different.

I know it's just semantics, but 'break out' should be someone who breaks out of the pack to some prominence, whereas 'break through' is someone who smashes through the ceiling.

'Break out' is an interesting one, and I hope the little guys get a bit of love with that category on here too!

 

[Kryptt]

Hard call but DDP or Aspinal. Went with DDP. Feels like he was more present and in force. Solid visibility, amazing scraps, and more media attention.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Aspinall. Came back from a tough injury, ran through Tybura and Pavlovich like a hot knife through butter. One of the better, more well rounded Heavyweights we've seen in a while who's fulfilled their potential, and should be the undisputed Heavyweight champion as well.

 

[Ares Black]

No idea who that Impa guy even is <45>
DDP gets my vote

He's the guy getting shattered in this gif:

He also just won a million dollars in the PFL.

 

[weaselkenievil]

Big Tom (not a scouser) Aspinall!

 

[Kryptt]

He's the guy getting shattered in this gif:

He also just won a million dollars in the PFL.

Was truly a magnificent kick!

 

[Ares Black]

View attachment 1021475
View attachment 1021476

View attachment 1021492​

What’s long stayed with me is something Gunnar Nelson said in an older interview; that, martial arts isn’t about fighting at all, really – but adapting.

To say, when you fight to fight, you’ve already lost. In fighting to adapt rather, there is always victory. When I see the below five finalists who broke through this year in MMA, the single thread for each is their ability to persevere and – yeah, you guessed it, to adapt.

So in the spirit of Gunnar's wise words, let’s meet these five adaption specialists, and then vote for which makes for your 2023 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year!

–––

Name: Tom Aspinall (England)

Showing: 2-0

Highlights: Overcomes knee injury to earn a R1 TKO over Marcin Tybura, then nabs interim UFC HW title with another R1 reckoning in KO of Sergei Pavlovich.

Fun fact: Tom had a painful growth spurt after his sixteenth birthday, where in just over 12 months he grew from 5’8 (173 cm) to 6’5 (196 cm), leaving him many days bed-ridden from back pain and having scans done thinking he suffered a debilitating condition needing medical diagnosis.

View attachment 1021479

–––

Name: Ian Garry (Ireland)

Showing: 3-0

Highlights: Enters WW rankings by way of two KOs and Hibernian domination over Neil Magny.

Fun fact: Fellow Irishman Conor McGregor was a force in young Ian’s expansion into MMA; originally passionate about boxing, he then cross-trained in judo after seeing Conor’s meteoric rise on the international stage and the rest is history.

View attachment 1021469

–––

Name: Driscus du Plessis (South Africa)

Showing: 2-0

Highlights: Manages two R2 TKO finishes of both Derek Brunson and the ever-crafty Bobby Knuckles, earning him a coveted MW title shot as well as war of words with champ Israel Adesanya.

Fun fact: Driscus, whose surname comes from Old French for a fence made of branches, is a passionate rugby fan who played throughout his schooling and has remained a vocal supporter of South Africa’s revered national team, the Springboks.

View attachment 1021478

–––

Name: Impa Kasanganay (USA)

Showing: 5-0

Highlights: Former DWCS and UFC WW who finds his calling at LHW, rattling off 5 wins this year by way of 2 decisions and 3 finishes – and earning 1M USD in the process.

Fun fact: Born to Congolese parents in Florida, USA and a practising Christian, his nick ’Tshilobo’ means brave in the Bantu languages of Central Africa.

View attachment 1021473

–––

Name: Brendan Allen (USA)

Showing: 3-0

Highlights: Breaches top 10 MW with 3 submission victories – all RNCs.

Fun fact: Originally an American football player, Brendan’s elder brother got him into watching UFC when he was soon after introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu through a local class, never looking back and eventually finding himself under the wing of U.S. Navy Seabees and MMA veteran Rich Clementi.

View attachment 1021474

Awesome thread Sherbro

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

Voted Tom aspinall
That ko over pavlovich was insane

 

[HHJ]

Aspinall is the only pick to make. He took out the livest most dangerous dude and did it easily.