Dricus du Plessis has publicly praised Tom Aspinall, viewing him as the future of the UFC heavyweight division. Aspinall officially claimed the undisputed heavyweight title following Jon Jones’s retirement, having held the interim belt since 2023. With Jones no longer competing, du Plessis anticipates Aspinall will dominate the division for an extended period.
Exceptional Skills Set Aspinall Apart from Current Heavyweights
Du Plessis highlighted Aspinall’s unique fighting style, noting his speed and versatility. He described Aspinall as a heavyweight who moves with the agility of a middleweight, excelling in striking, grappling, and wrestling. This combination, du Plessis believes, makes Aspinall stand out in a division where few fighters match his level of skill.
The first time you saw Tom Aspinall fight, you knew there was something special,
du Plessis told Betway South Africa.
He’s almost the next generation of heavyweight, in my opinion, where he moves like a middleweight. He’s light on his feet. He can grapple, he can strike, he can wrestle, so I’m really happy for him. I think he’s going to be a great champion and I think he’s going to be a champion for a long time.
—Dricus du Plessis, UFC Fighter
I don’t think there’s a lot of heavyweights on his level right now.
—Dricus du Plessis, UFC Fighter
Parallel Careers and Upcoming Title Defenses
Both du Plessis and Aspinall entered the UFC around the same time, with du Plessis making his debut on Fight Island in October 2020, coinciding with Aspinall’s second UFC fight. Du Plessis is currently preparing for his third middleweight title defense against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, while Aspinall will defend his heavyweight crown against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October.
Aspinall’s heavyweight record is impressive, boasting eight wins and only one loss, which came early in his UFC career due to a knee injury against Curtis Blaydes. He successfully avenged that loss in July 2024, strengthening his claim as the division’s top contender. Although a unification bout with Jon Jones never materialized, Aspinall’s credentials remain undeniable.
Du Plessis Reflects on Shared Journey With Ilia Topuria
Also part of the same Fight Island event was Ilia Topuria, who has become a notable UFC lightweight and featherweight champion. Du Plessis expressed admiration for Topuria’s rapid rise and pointed to him as a future UFC Hall of Famer.
He was literally in my changing room,
du Plessis said about Topuria.
We were on the same trajectory, winning our titles one month apart. I’m super happy for him. I think he’s one of those special characters who’s going to be a Hall of Famer, no doubt.
—Dricus du Plessis, UFC Fighter
Unbeaten. He’s the first unbeaten guy to have two titles. I’m super happy for him and I rate him very highly as an all-around fighter, and obviously his striking, power, in knocking out three legends. I think he’s incredible and, in my opinion, one of the best, if not the best in the UFC right now.
—Dricus du Plessis, UFC Fighter
The Path Forward for Tom Aspinall and UFC Heavyweight Division
As Aspinall continues his reign as heavyweight champion, his blend of technique and athleticism positions him as a potentially transformative figure in the division. Du Plessis’s endorsement underscores Aspinall’s rising star status and suggests that he could shape the heavyweight landscape for years to come. Meanwhile, Aspinall’s upcoming title defense against Ciryl Gane will be a critical test of his championship mettle.