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

[Safton]

He could've done it during the many sparring sessions they had. Few seconds of video or a few seconds taking a picture pre or post sparring would've been enough. He could post the picture and tag Tyson Fury in it and Tyson Fury may post it on his own social media accounts. All relatively quick and easy to do and you don't have to ask for much in doing something like that.

I understand he's focused on the grind, most are focused only on the grind, but the promotion also helps for their careers. Yeah it may add more pressure or have you doing more stuff than just training, but when you get to the top it's filled with media so you have to get used to that type of extra work anyway. Better to start getting accustomed to that sooner than later. Plus if things don't work and you don't become a champion, you can still have a fanbase and people following your career even with losses. Some of the highest paid and most well known fighters in UFC were never a UFC champion, so that's something to think about. Imagine if they actually became champion, they would be even bigger than they currently are and even better paid.

The thing a lot of fighters don't realize is all that extra stuff is required at the top. Even Khabib had to get adjusted to all that and he started doing a lot of self promotion. He didn't have to fake it or try to be a heel, he just got more outspoken and started claiming what he thought was his and making challenges and call outs during his fights and post fights. Khabib was talking shit to Dana about Conor while fighting and in between rounds, then publicly calling him out and saying he's going to smash his boy in the post fight interview. That's also self promotion.

HW is wide open for a contender for UFC to push. Ngannou's future is uncertain, Gane already lost to Ngannou and had his shot at the title, Jones may eventually fight at HW but that is also still uncertain, Stipe is getting close to ending his career - so HW is wide open for a new contender for UFC to back since HW division is something they historically like to focus on. Aspinal can take advantage of this opportunity to really fast track his career and overall exposure.

Derrick Lewis is a prime example of a HW they backed and wanted to win the title and he was given many opportunities to try and win the title. They did a lot of promo work for Lewis and had events in his home state where he was the headliner for title fights. He's also one of the highest paid fighters in UFC and was never the champion. Derrick Lewis also did a lot of self promotion on top of UFC's push. Aspinal could do something very similar on his way to the title to increase his exposure and fight purse on his way up. Also if he doesn't succeed the first time they can always let him try again later like they did with Derrick Lewis, but the multiple attempts at the title only happens when UFC is backing you.

I don't think he's actually sparred with Tyson in quite some time if you read between the lines. The last time he's talked about one of their sparring sessions was for a pre-fight interview in October of 2020, when he was set to fight Alan Baudot -- his second UFC fight when both men were unranked. And even then, from his wording it seems to me that the sparring in question happened in a past-tense and not for that training camp. The fact that he keeps Tyson Fury on the tip of his tongue and gives off the idea that he's in the gym getting rounds with him every other day to some fans (and even the media/commentators on occasion) is in my opinion self-promotion at its best. It doesn't help that Tyson has had multiple bouts of his own in that subsequent time and we've seen him drilling with the likes of Nick Diaz of all people. I think they're supporting each other from afar, but I could be wrong.

Khabib despite his best efforts didn't really have a ton of eyes on him at first, though. He wasn't some social media mogul (Ali and Javier Mendez helped a fair bit though). Yes, as his command of English improved it helped -- not to mention people were obviously interested in the dominant rising contender and eventually the new champ. But a lot of his following was regional/ethnic until his name was attached to a match-up with McGregor, which put him over the top and made him something resembling a household name as the guy who dominated Conor. He called guys out and called his shot? You mean like Aspinall has been doing since he got into the UFC? Tom has never been scared to push for fights he wants -- after his first win in the Octagon he started pushing hard for the Spivak fight because Sergey was another rising unranked HW contender coming off a recent win. He pushed multiple times for it to get rebooked and has always talked candidly about how he feels his skills match up with the HW Top 10. After submitting Volkov he had a call-out ready for fan favorite Tai Tuivasa that he had clearly rehearsed and again kept calling for the fight in subsequent media appearances... but neither Bam Bam nor the UFC seemed interested.

I think for where Aspinall is in his career, his level of self-promotion is pretty reasonable. I'm sure he'll start doing more stuff on YouTube and social media in the future considering he's already been fairly active since he was a fairly low-ranked Heavyweight. Could he stand to do more? Sure. Beyond that, though, I don't really feel we disagree on much.

 

[FIghtxIQ]

I don't think he's actually sparred with Tyson in quite some time if you read between the lines. The last time he's talked about one of their sparring sessions was for a pre-fight interview in October of 2020, when he was set to fight Alan Baudot -- his second UFC fight when both men were unranked. And even then, from his wording it seems to me that the sparring in question happened in a past-tense and not for that training camp. The fact that he keeps Tyson Fury on the tip of his tongue and gives off the idea that he's in the gym getting rounds with him every other day to some fans (and even the media/commentators on occasion) is in my opinion self-promotion at its best. It doesn't help that Tyson has had multiple bouts of his own in that subsequent time and we've seen him drilling with the likes of Nick Diaz of all people. I think they're supporting each other from afar, but I could be wrong.

Khabib despite his best efforts didn't really have a ton of eyes on him at first, though. He wasn't some social media mogul (Ali and Javier Mendez helped a fair bit though). Yes, as his command of English improved it helped -- not to mention people were obviously interested in the dominant rising contender and eventually the new champ. But a lot of his following was regional/ethnic until his name was attached to a match-up with McGregor, which put him over the top and made him something resembling a household name as the guy who dominated Conor. He called guys out and called his shot? You mean like Aspinall has been doing since he got into the UFC? Tom has never been scared to push for fights he wants -- after his first win in the Octagon he started pushing hard for the Spivak fight because Sergey was another rising unranked HW contender coming off a recent win. He pushed multiple times for it to get rebooked and has always talked candidly about how he feels his skills match up with the HW Top 10. After submitting Volkov he had a call-out ready for fan favorite Tai Tuivasa that he had clearly rehearsed and again kept calling for the fight in subsequent media appearances... but neither Bam Bam nor the UFC seemed interested.

I think for where Aspinall is in his career, his level of self-promotion is pretty reasonable. I'm sure he'll start doing more stuff on YouTube and social media in the future considering he's already been fairly active since he was a fairly low-ranked Heavyweight. Could he stand to do more? Sure. Beyond that, though, I don't really feel we disagree on much.

Ok I thought the sparring sessions were more recent. Either way he could've been a more recent sparring partner for him while Fury was getting ready for his most recent fights. The Ngannou fight is still on the table so that's another reason to be a sparring partner since of Aspinal's mma experience.

Also I'm sure he's calling out fighters respectfully in the rankings, it isn't the same as what Khabib was doing. Khabib was talking in between rounds and while beating up someone. He was yelling at Dana while ground and pounding another fighter. Khamzat did that recently as well when he fought Jingiang. Khabib blew up after the Conor fight yes. He also had his fan base due to where his from and religious views yes. But what got him the attention for those fights was the public call out he did post fight, the shit talking he was doing during his fights and in-between rounds, and him checking Artem. All that factored in and all that was the viral content that really helped promote Khabib. After that Khabib started being really outspoken and that was even more promotion for himself.

 

[Safton]

Ok I thought the sparring sessions were more recent. Either way he could've been a more recent sparring partner for him while Fury was getting ready for his most recent fights. The Ngannou fight is still on the table so that's another reason to be a sparring partner since of Aspinal's mma experience.

Also I'm sure he's calling out fighters respectfully in the rankings, it isn't the same as what Khabib was doing. Khabib was talking in between rounds and while beating up someone. He was yelling at Dana while ground and pounding another fighter. Khamzat did that recently as well when he fought Jingiang. Khabib blew up after the Conor fight yes. He also had his fan base due to where his from and religious views yes. But what got him the attention for those fights was the public call out he did post fight, the shit talking he was doing during his fights and in-between rounds, and him checking Artem. All that factored in and all that was the viral content that really helped promote Khabib. After that Khabib started being really outspoken and that was even more promotion for himself.

That's actually quite intriguing: the Fury/Ngannou "mixed-rules bout" happening and Tyson bringing in Aspinall as his primary training partner and "subject matter expert". Tom would be a fool not to use that as prime promotional material -- especially if Tyson wins.

I get you on the Khabib thing, but it's all the exact out-of-character kind of thing that wouldn't work for Tom. He's said he likes to have fun while fighting (though he does find it "scary"), but he's also respectful. With Khabib and the intense personality he was, those things worked and came across as natural. Tom would have to find his wheelhouse elsewhere IMO. Just my two cents.

 

[Fedor_Silva]

Boring wrestlers like Sonnen and Colby need to act like clowns to be relevant.

 

[ClosetVitorFan]

Chael had to trash talk because he was a boring journeyman of a fighter!!!! If you're really good. You dont need all that fluff. See GSP, See Fedor. Etc. Chael had to create a persona, Colby had to create a persona because they're boring fighters in the cage.

 

[listrahtes]

Clowns sell in modern society, unfortunately.

They sell esp in US media as that is one giant shit show that delivers to the lowest common denominator. Its the same in a lot of countries but not all of them. There is a reason why Pride never had this problem as they focused on the fighting aspect.

US media has the Kardashian effect and UFC plays right into it. I am glad there are still fighters who act like grown men.

 

[Grow Hogan]

I like it.

People are only entertaining when they can back it up. Chael was entertaining until he could back it up. Same with Conor but Conor made all of his fan base when he could back it up. I dont think hes getting any new fans (peaked out) and he made all of his money outside of the UFC from being able to back it up whilst he was taken seriously. Same with Colby, Jorge, Adesanya (whos cringe but can back it up @ MW)etc.

Walk the walk before you can talk the talk not vice versa...

People are fickle. When people believe in you they will give you their hard earned money but when that belief is gone you lose credibility and become a meme. Conors credibility goes on but only because of his money/success which people respect no matter what happens. But I dont see any more McGregor lookalikes walking around in the UK which i saw everywhere when he was walking the walk.

People lived vicarously through him embodying his philosophies and what he was about as if he was the second coming of Bruce Lee until they realised it was BS so Conor cashed out at the peak of his stardom. Smart guy say what you want but his timing is on point.

 

[Cat Biscuits]

I find myself less and less interested in MMA due to the fact that there aren't as many good fighters as there are average "loud and annoying" fighters.

I hate how our world is so obsessed with bringing social media style entertainment to everything in order to consider it watchable.

I really miss seeing actual skill on display instead of mediocre fighters talking mad shit, then putting on a snooze fest.

I'm not sure who is to blame. MMA for adopting this shitty mentality, or our world for forcing it on everyone while our standards decay for cheaply made bullshit. Catering to low IQ people who can't get interested in watching unless people have extremely loud and annoying personalities.

I get why they do it, but man I miss seeing skillful fighters. Good on Aspinall, I hope he focuses on his skill instead of his mouth.

 

[mister piscadinha]

its weird, i really like chael and appreciated his rivalries with anderson, jones and wanderlei.

but his wwe style marketing also helped ruin the ufc

 

[FIghtxIQ]

That's actually quite intriguing: the Fury/Ngannou "mixed-rules bout" happening and Tyson bringing in Aspinall as his primary training partner and "subject matter expert". Tom would be a fool not to use that as prime promotional material -- especially if Tyson wins.

I get you on the Khabib thing, but it's all the exact out-of-character kind of thing that wouldn't work for Tom. He's said he likes to have fun while fighting (though he does find it "scary"), but he's also respectful. With Khabib and the intense personality he was, those things worked and came across as natural. Tom would have to find his wheelhouse elsewhere IMO. Just my two cents.

Yeah it might not be in Tom's character. He may be better off doing his own embedded style content then and showing his personality that way. It worked out for Khabib because he's always been that kind of person, he was already trying to fight Conor backstage when Conor was scheduled to fight Alvarez at UFC 205.

 

[Bojka]

I find it a bit boring and even strange when you beat other guys up for a living, but are otherwise just an ordinary guy.

Chael was a legitimate comedian in his day.

 

[Safton]

I find it a bit boring and even strange when you beat other guys up for a living, but are otherwise just an ordinary guy.

Chael was a legitimate comedian in his day.

I get it, but I don't really understand this mentality personally. Compartmentalization is a thing. They need not be rabid dogs or wannabe standup comedians whose only outlet is a cage or media scrum. To me this is like saying that it's weird and boring that Keanu Reeves doesn't actually shoot bad guys like John Wick in his off-time. What a strange and boring guy.

The entertainment the fighters provide is first and foremost attached to their performances in the cage. The stars are able to elevate their drawing power beyond that through their personas and antics (very much to their benefit in most cases), but they're the exception in the grand scheme of things

To each their own, of course. Don't take this as me trying to call you out or insult you, I'm just saying it's not a mentality I personally share.

 

[Bojka]

I get it, but I don't really understand this mentality personally. Compartmentalization is a thing. They need not be rabid dogs or wannabe standup comedians whose only outlet is a cage or media scrum. To me this is like saying that it's weird and boring that Keanu Reeves doesn't actually shoot bad guys like John Wick in his off-time. What a strange and boring guy.

The entertainment the fighters provide is first and foremost attached to their performances in the cage. The stars are able to elevate their drawing power beyond that through their personas and antics (very much to their benefit in most cases), but they're the exception in the grand scheme of things

To each their own, of course. Don't take this as me trying to call you out or insult you, I'm just saying it's not a mentality I personally share.

That's kind of a dog shit analogy. Keanu Reeves is no different from some random Soap Opera or Romantic Comedy actor. He's an actor. Violence or combat is not part of his life at all.

 

[Safton]

That's kind of a dog shit analogy. Keanu Reeves is no different from some random Soap Opera or Romantic Comedy actor. He's an actor. Violence or combat is not part of his life at all.

You missed the point of the analogy, but I suppose that's my fault for drawing one that wasn't as clear as it should have been.

It had nothing to do with the violence or combat, I could have picked a devoted method actor known for any role. My point of contention is that compartmentalization exists and what product a person produces to entertain us -- the fans -- need not have any bearing whatsoever on how they act in everyday life. Why do they have to have some kind of shtick, whether it's being an asshole, a violent psychopath, or a would-be comedian? Why is fighting for a living -- one of the world's oldest pastimes and professions -- different?

 

[Volador]

Tom Redpillall

 

[Islam Imamate]

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 respect his take but at the same time I don't think Chael is saying that he has to be a trash talker. Just put some more effort into your interviews and think of things to say that will generate hype. Sometimes all a fighter has to do to generate hype is call for a fight that is realistic and fan friendly.

 

[Islam Imamate]

You missed the point of the analogy, but I suppose that's my fault for drawing one that wasn't as clear as it should have been.

It had nothing to do with the violence or combat, I could have picked a devoted method actor known for any role. My point of contention is that compartmentalization exists and what product a person produces to entertain us -- the fans -- need not have any bearing whatsoever on how they act in everyday life. Why do they have to have some kind of shtick, whether it's being an asshole, a violent psychopath, or a would-be comedian? Why is fighting for a living -- one of the world's oldest pastimes and professions -- different?

Its not that he has to play a character, he can be true to himself and still put himself out there. Doesn't even have to have that much flare, just call guys out that make for interesting fights and people will respect that and look forward to his fights.

 

[azhiker]

I like this guy. Talks with his skills, not his mouth.

 

[Safton]

Its not that he has to play a character, he can be true to himself and still put himself out there. Doesn't even have to have that much flare, just call guys out that make for interesting fights and people will respect that and look forward to his fights.

Oh, totally agreed. And if I'm being honest I feel I have unfairly conflated the two (self-promotion with being a heel) a few times in this thread, but only because they seem to be nigh-synonymous in the minds of many fans and even fighters these days.

However, to be fair to Tom, he has done exactly what you're suggesting ever since he was an unranked prospect. He's never been afraid of calling his shot. He pushed hard for the Spivak fight to be rescheduled on multiple occasions, was vocal about wanting to fight Blagoy, and most recently he had a rehearsed callout ready for fan favorite Bam Bam after he beat Volkov. He's also done some videos on fairly popular YouTube channels (by MMA standards) talking about the HW Top 10 and how he matches up against them.

Again, he's not a promoter's wet dream like Conor or Masvidal I'll readily agree, but he has done more than meekly accept match-ups placed in front of him.

 

[Deleted member 110072]

I think you could argue HW's probably need to sell themselves on personality less than other divisions, really has there ever been a "big personality" HW? even Lesnar didnt actually play up a persona in MMA that much and got by mostly on "Monster" hype.