This weekend at UFC 321, Tom Aspinall steps into the Octagon to defend his heavyweight crown against Ciryl Gane, a matchup that could cement his status as the future of the division. At just 32, the Brit has already achieved more than most heavyweights do in an entire career.
ALSO READ: Alex Pereira Reclaims UFC Gold and Cements His Legacy Among the Greats.
With a 100% finish rate, explosive knockout power, slick submissions, and an icy composure inside the cage, Aspinall looks destined for greatness. The question now isn’t whether he’s elite, it’s whether he’s on track to become the greatest UFC heavyweight of all time.
Early Career & Recent Highlights
Born in Salford, England, Aspinall turned professional in 2014 and has since compiled a record of 15-3-0. Since joining the UFC, he has posted some of the most dominant performances in the heavyweight division. Notably, he claimed the interim UFC Heavyweight Title by knocking out Sergei Pavlovich in the first round at UFC 295 in November 2023. He followed that with a one-minute knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, marking his official rise to undisputed heavyweight champion after Jon Jones’ retirement.
Why He Has the Tools to Be the GOAT
Finishing Rate & Efficiency: Perhaps the most striking stat: Aspinall holds a 100 % finish rate in his UFC wins (no decisions). He also boasts the shortest average fight time in UFC heavyweight history (around 2 minutes and 2 seconds).
All-Round Game: Aspinall isn’t just a knockout artist. He possesses submission skills (three submission wins) and shows elite grappling defence; he holds a bottom-position percentage of just 0.09%, second best in UFC history. Combined with elite striking (he lands 8.07 significant strikes per minute, also a heavyweight record), he offers true all-round completeness.
Prime Age & Momentum: At 32, he’s entering the physical peak years of a heavyweight’s career but with relatively less wear and tear compared with many in the division. He has fewer miles on the clock and plenty of runway ahead to build a legacy.
Championship Status & Narrative: With Jon Jones effectively retired and Aspinall elevated to undisputed champion, he now has the platform and the storyline to dominate. As he himself stated, the heavyweight division needs movement, not stagnation.
What Lies Ahead & Legacy Potential
The path isn’t entirely smooth, heavyweight careers are fragile, and match-ups can be unpredictable. But as things stand, Aspinall’s next key fight (versus Ciryl Gane at UFC 321) will further define his reign. Suppose he continues to finish opponents swiftly and dominate at will. In that case, he will begin comparisons not just with great heavyweights of the past, like Stipe Miocic or Fedor Emelianenko, but with the all-time greatest across divisions.
What gives Aspinall a legitimate GOAT case in heavyweight MMA is the combination of his rapid finishes, versatility in both striking and wrestling/grappling, physical prime, and a blank canvas ahead. If he defends his title multiple times by stoppage, avoids serious injury, and perhaps bridges into superfights, the question of “greatest ever” may not be premature, just visionary.
