Tom Aspinall Claims Fans Have Unfair Expectations of Him

Tom Aspinall believes he has unfairly lost some fans since his last fight. 

Aspinall’s first heavyweight title defense ended in an unfortunate no-contest after a double eye poke from Ciryl Gane left the champion unable to continue. Aspinall’s decision not to continue left fans divided. Some accused Aspinall of bailing out as Gane was looking good on the feet as long as the fight lasted. 

Aspinall believes fans have unfair expectations of him owing to his own success. The Englishman has finished all 15 of his career wins so far, going beyond the first round only once. According to Aspinall, fans start criticizing him if he doesn’t finish the fight within the opening minute. However, “Honey Badger” has some fans still supporting him and has become indifferent to the detractors.

‘The Tide Has Turned’

"I think a lot of the time my success, my record, that record I've got, and finishing fights really quick — like if I don't finish the fight in the first minute, people think I'm looking s—t,” Aspinall said in a recent interview on Paddy Pimblett’s YouTube channel. “..No, we're just evenly matched and we're having a fight. I've not punched him properly yet. It's been pretty smooth sailing as far as fans with me, but the tide has turned. But I've got a lot of good stuff as well, it's not all bad. It just thickened my skin a little bit, and you've just got to see it for what it is. Dirty bastard, he just needs to cut his fingernails. Disgusting.”

Aspinall is expected to undergo surgery on both his eyes, leaving no room for any speculation regarding his return timeline. 

😬❗ Tom Aspinall says people think he’s doing bad if he doesn’t finish in one minute "The tides have turned now"

"I think a lot of the time my success, my record, that record I've got, and finishing fights really quick — like if I don't finish the fight in the first minute,… pic.twitter.com/kSU4QvoGUd

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) January 5, 2026