Tom Aspinall is gaining recognition as a potential greatest-of-all-time (GOAT) in the heavyweight division, highlighted by praise from former UFC competitor Sasha Palatnikov. In an interview on Bowks Talking Bouts ahead of his June 14 DBX 2 fight, Palatnikov praised Aspinall’s exceptional speed and skill during their training sessions at Xtreme Couture.
Palatnikov shared his experience sparring with Aspinall, noting how remarkable it was to witness someone of Aspinall’s size move so quickly. He compared moving with Aspinall to training with noted heavyweights such as Khalil Rountree, Marcin Tybura, Frank Mir, and Tai Tuivasa, emphasizing Aspinall’s standout agility and skill level.
“It was just like when we were starting sparring. We just came on the mat. It was like first round, light, just touch. I swear, I’ve moved around with the likes of Khalil [Rountree]. I’ve moved around with big guys. I’ve moved around with Marcin Tybura, Frank Mir. I’ve worked with a lot of people, Tai Tuivasa.” —Sasha Palatnikov
Palatnikov continued, expressing how Aspinall’s speed left a lasting impression and solidified his belief that Aspinall could dominate the heavyweight division. He also highlighted frustration around the stalled title scene involving Jon Jones, which he sees as holding back Aspinall’s rise.
“So then when I was moving with Aspinall I was just like man, this guy is f***in fast. Like I couldn’t believe for someone his size how fast he was. From that day forward I was like I don’t see anyone beating him and that’s how I felt. So this whole situation with Jon Jones, I think that’s holding up a lot of potential for Tom Aspinall to truly be a star in the sport.” —Sasha Palatnikov
Insights on Aspinall vs. Jon Jones and heavyweight title prospects
Among those closely following Aspinall’s career is Curtis Blaydes, a former interim title challenger, who weighed in on the highly anticipated but uncertain title unification bout between Aspinall and Jon Jones. Speaking to Inside Fighting, Blaydes expressed doubts about the fight happening, suggesting that Jones might avoid facing Aspinall.
Blaydes indicated that the likely next heavyweight title challenger could be Ciryl Gane, reasoning that Jones has not yet faced a truly prime heavyweight during his career. He also cited Gane’s grappling weaknesses and the condition of Stipe Miocic at the time he lost his title to illustrate the challenges in the division.
“I do believe that’ll probably go the [Ciryl] Gane because I don’t think Jon’s ever going to fight Aspinall. I’m not going to be disrespectful and say he’s scared. He can’t be scared. If he was honest with himself, he hasn’t beat a real prime heavyweight.” —Curtis Blaydes
“You beat Ciryl Gane, he’s got obvious holes in the grappling, and you beat an old Stipe [Miocic], who was rusty, and who did have you. There were moments in that fight where a younger Stipe maybe takes advantage of those.” —Curtis Blaydes
Implications for the heavyweight division and Aspinall’s future
Tom Aspinall’s combination of speed and technical skill has positioned him as a rising force in the heavyweight division, drawing attention from peers and analysts alike. The praise from Palatnikov highlights a rare athleticism uncommon for a fighter of Aspinall’s size, fueling debates about his GOAT potential in the weight class.
However, uncertainty surrounding the title picture—particularly regarding Jon Jones’s title defense plans—may limit Aspinall’s immediate championship opportunities. As Curtis Blaydes suggests, the heavyweight division could see other contenders like Ciryl Gane moving ahead while Jon Jones’s path remains unclear.
Despite these challenges, Aspinall’s continued success and training have kept him at the forefront of heavyweight discussions, with many anticipating his eventual breakthrough against elite competition. His rapid progress signals a possible new era in heavyweight fighting, contingent on how the title scene unfolds in the coming months.