Media Tom Aspinall to Chael: "I Won't Sell Myself Out and Act Like a Clown"

[Mr Fahrenheit]

So, what about a Dudley Do-Right, or humble superman, or gets-the job-done laconic warrior (especially as he's a Brit) persona? No personality type is appealing to everyone.

Is that how you see Aspinall? I’m trying to remember how he handled the mic in his last performance. Didn’t he say something like, “I drink beer like Tai Tuivasa” or something to that effect? I’ve never found the guy disagreeable or anything but also never got the lovable babyface vibe that we got from Randy Couture or St Pierre. No big deal, we’ll see how he develops.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Much appreciated man. Unfortunately it's not a sentiment everyone seems to share.

Which is fine, of course. Objectively I understand why someone might enjoy the flamboyance/heel act even if it's not my thing... but it just seems weird to have certain Sherbros playing Armchair Chael shitting on a pro fighter for not fulfilling their trash-talk fix and saying he'll never be rich/popular/great because of it.

Even if Aspinall tried it wouldn't necessarily work. It may backfire as it isn't natural to him. At least he's self aware enough to realize that and let his connections and talent speak for itself. I'm a fan of the kid.

As for Chael, I'm not a fan and never have been. I'll be the first to admit I know it's an act, and at times has been very, very funny, but not everyone can do it. Lately, Chael just throws shit against the wall to see what sticks on Youtube. It's all for views.

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

the people who have to have a gimmick are guys who usually aren't good.

if you're really good you can make a lot of money by just being the best ever. look at GSP. he's also from UK where they will eat up his winning ways. he can be like GSP, but he has to keep winning.

 

[dog y]

It's an argument, but did Fedor ever talk?

Sometimes, IF YOUR GOOD ENOUGH, your skills alone can sell.

That's why you must turn caps on?
And write "YOUR" instead if "you're".
Now GTFO, you uneducated fool.

Being a Fedor fan i usually consider such.... Anyway. Sod off.

 

[Safton]

Even if Aspinall tried it wouldn't necessarily work. It may backfire as it isn't natural to him. At least he's self aware enough to realize that and let his connections and talent speak for itself. I'm a fan of the kid.

Yeah, that's what me and a few others have been saying in this thread: trying to force a heel act doesn't always work and for every success story there's a few others who end up having it blow up in their faces for one reason or another. But a lot of people don't seem to believe that. Personally, I think he's in the perfect wheelhouse:

• He has a nation behind him that tends to have a considerable interest in MMA at the worst of times, has a reputation for exporting stars, and even now has several promising talents and/or personalities on the roster.
  
• He has connections to Tyson Fury and Darren Till (and people will inevitably associate him with Pimblett and McCann just for being from Liverpool). Being able to name-drop these guys or even put them together in the same sentence will speak volumes to a casual fanbase.
  
• He's clearly a talented fighter with a 100% early finish rate who shot up the rankings fairly quickly.
  
• While he doesn't trash-talk, there are other types of charisma. I personally find that he comes across pretty well in most interviews as a fairly laid-back, charming, introspective, albeit not boring guy. He's become more self-assured and outspoken lately, but not to the point of arrogance or being abrasive.

 

[NicholasJBasile]

Chael made the most of his poor win-loss record, but Tom Aspinall doesn't believe he needs to sell himself out and act like a clown for 'views and money'.

Is he right?

Is he wrong?

Is there a way he can put himself in the spotlight without being a phony like Chael, Strickland or Colby?

I'm a big fan of Chael, but there is more than one way to feed a cat or whatever that expression is. Aspinal can do very well for himself I reckon without leveraging himself as a marketeer; may only make a modest sum, but fighters such as GSP have proven that you can make some money with your performances; I would imagine, however, that it is probably the harder route. Honestly, I'm not sure why my post is even this long, as I've never even been in a fight, much less a pro fight. Probably just ignore everything above ^

 

[dog y]

the people who have to have a gimmick are guys who usually aren't good.

if you're really good you can make a lot of money by just being the best ever. look at GSP. he's also from UK where they will eat up his winning ways. he can be like GSP, but he has to keep winning.

Nah, Anderson kinda had a gimmick... No?
Is normal IMO

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

Nah, Anderson kinda had a gimmick... No?
Is normal IMO

no he didn't. none of the greats did. being great was good enough.

 

[Joshua8531]

That is fine, he just won't ever be paid as well if he doesn't want to talk. Business decision. No one is asking him to be a bad person - just be entertaining.

Not WWE

 

[Joshua8531]

Nah, Anderson kinda had a gimmick... No?
Is normal IMO

Ya for knocking fuckers out.

 

[Joshua8531]

Chael made the most of his poor win-loss record, but Tom Aspinall doesn't believe he needs to sell himself out and act like a clown for 'views and money'.

Is he right?

Is he wrong?

Is there a way he can put himself in the spotlight without being a phony like Chael, Strickland or Colby?

Good for him let his fighting due the talking.
Chanel’s channel is unwatchable.

 

[USA!USA!]

Not WWE

Is McGregor not the highest paid UFC athlete?

 

[MrMeth]

Guys who don't want to do the pro wrestling gimmick stuff shouldn't do it, because it would just end up cringey.

 

[Pakman]

That is fine, he just won't ever be paid as well if he doesn't want to talk. Business decision. No one is asking him to be a bad person - just be entertaining.

Tom Aspinall is one of the most exciting HWs on the entire roster/sport.

What are you talking about?

 

[HeDidn'tWantTheFight]

Three things make a star
1) Successful and exciting fighter
2) Good on the mic
3) Embraced by a specific population (generally an ethnicity, but could be a religion like Khabib was backed by)

Aspinall has 1 and 3 covered. He can be a star with just those two. However, if you want to be a mega star, you need all three.

 

[USA!USA!]

Tom Aspinall is one of the most exciting HWs on the entire roster/sport.

What are you talking about?

Outside of the cage? The whole thread is literally about marketing himself.

 

[Bobble Head]

I'm a big fan of Chael, but there is more than one way to feed a cat or whatever that expression is. Aspinal can do very well for himself I reckon without leveraging himself as a marketeer; may only make a modest sum, but fighters such as GSP have proven that you can make some money with your performances; I would imagine, however, that it is probably the harder route. Honestly, I'm not sure why my post is even this long, as I've never even been in a fight, much less a pro fight. Probably just ignore everything above ^

It’s skin a cat, but I actually like yours more. Simply because you can feed them dry food, wet food, treats, they have little cat soups now that they love, or even tuna at times, but not too much because it’s actually not the best for them believe it or not, plus so much more! Yeah, I like yours more, less morbid as well. There are many ways to feed a cat.

Anyways, yeah Tom doesn’t need to. I get Chael’s whole shtick and opinion on the matter, but every fighter can’t successfully be like that. It would make it seem a lot less genuine, like they are reading off of a script and that would take me out of it. Pro wrestling exists for that. I do like some solid charisma and hype/drama from some fighters, but others fall flat for me. I don’t even bother following Strickland’s gimmick because he’s so over the top and his style of fighting doesn’t match it much at all.

 

[Leviticus]

I dunno how he can call Chael a clown when Chael is the greatest fighter of all time and retired with a perfect 60-0 record, undefeated & undisputed.

Tom is a fake Frank Mir and will get exposed badly in the next few fights.

 

[MigitAs]

That is fine, he just won't ever be paid as well if he doesn't want to talk. Business decision. No one is asking him to be a bad person - just be entertaining.

Nobody cared about heavyweight boxing for years for this reason.

 

[heavyarms21]

Chael made the most of his poor win-loss record, but Tom Aspinall doesn't believe he needs to sell himself out and act like a clown for 'views and money'.

Is he right?

Is he wrong?

Is there a way he can put himself in the spotlight without being a phony like Chael, Strickland or Colby?

He probably also feels it wouldn't fit his own personality to be a jackass , will he lose out on potential money if he isn't provocative ? Probably but he can replace that by having dominant performances and he is bound to face a guy that will be loudmouth opposite him , eventually. Blaydes is a tough fight though, easily the best wrestler he will face .