In a sport where fighters push their bodies to the maximum, Tom Aspinall is already planning forward. The interim UFC heavyweight champion has established himself as one of the division’s most formidable forces, but he remains realistic about the physical demands of mixed martial arts. While he prepares for the greatest fight of his career against Jon Jones, he has already announced his retirement plans—and why he wants to retire as young as possible. So, what’s the mysterious reason? Well, the Briton has witnessed personally the consequences of a long career in combat sports, and he has no desire to repeat the experience.
Aspinall recognizes the contradiction he faces. On one hand, he is demanding a title unification match. On the other hand, he is very aware that time is working against him and that every extra year in the cage increases the risk of lasting damage. In fact, he revealed during a recent interview with Mail Sport that he has witnessed close friends of his struggle with lifelong health issues after hanging up their gloves. So, he does not want to commit the same error as them. Aspinall said, “I’d rather retire a little early than a little late. Some of my friends who have already retired have lifelong health problems. I recognize that I’m good at MMA, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get knocked out or hurt.”
But, before he calls it a day on his career, the Briton wants the heavyweight belt around his waist. However, ‘Bones’ has yet to make a decision about whether he wishes to face the Briton, and there is growing speculation that the American will give up the belt rather than defend it. After all, Tom Aspinall’s record speaks volumes—15 wins, all in the first round, including a devastating knockout of Sergei Pavlovich. So, it is no surprise that Jon Jones might actually ‘duck’ Tom Aspinall, as many MMA fans claim.
Tom Aspinall prefers to retire early instead of risking long-term damage
“I would rather retire a little early than a little late, personally. Some of my friends who have retired now have lifelong health issues. I’m comfortable saying that I’m good at MMA, but that… pic.twitter.com/xynzOajuyS
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) March 25, 2025
Despite the uncertainties, the Briton remains optimistic. He recently met with UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell in London, and their discussions have given him confidence that the fight will take place. However, Jon Jones is holding out for a larger payoff, so the waiting game continues. Aspinall’s career has never been about longevity; it has always been about making the right decisions at the right time. Whether he gets his shot at ‘Bones’ or not, one thing is certain: he won’t be around long. Tom Aspinall has made it clear that he prioritizes his long-term health over any championship win, ensuring that he exits the sport on his own terms. But what is he going to do after retiring from the Octagon? Well, he has provided the answer to that question.
Tom Aspinall reveals his plans to move to a new combat sport post-retirement
Tom Aspinall has made it clear that he has never been one to pursue longevity in MMA, but that doesn’t mean he intends to abandon combat sports entirely. While he remains focused on unifying the UFC heavyweight title, he has already hinted at what comes next after his fighting career ended. The interim champion told Logan Paul on Impaulsive that WWE could be a part of his post-retirement plans. Unlike many fighters who regard professional wrestling as mere entertainment, the interim champion was extremely fascinated by what he witnessed behind the scenes. The combination of athleticism and showmanship appealed to him, making it something he would “really enjoy doing” outside of the Octagon.
His first exposure to the world of WWE came last year at a live show in London, where he shared the ring with Cody Rhodes and Gunther. Though the UFC prevented him from getting physically involved, the encounter surely left a lasting memory. “I actually met the guys who were involved with WWE, the wrestlers and the staff. I was like, ‘This is f—— cool. I like this. I like it a lot,’” Aspinall said. After spending his entire career in a world where every bout could be his last, the prospect of a regulated combat environment—one in which injuries aren’t usually career-ending—was interesting. He said, “That’s maybe something I would look at doing when I’ve retired from MMA — I would love to do that.” Even as he considers the next chapter, he is adamant about one thing: he wants to leave MMA sooner rather than later, retiring on his own terms while still in peak shape.
It is worth noting that Tom Aspinall’s interest has not gone unnoticed, especially within the WWE lockerroom. Cody Rhodes, one of the company’s top performers, believes he would be a perfect fit for professional wrestling. ‘The American Nightmare’ praised his size, athleticism, and no-nonsense style, describing him as a “meat and potatoes” fighter capable of thriving in the ring without relying on high-flying theatrics. “He’s really going to fill that big man spot for pro wrestling. If he was to step in at any point, it would fit like a glove.” He also compared the Briton’s possible transition to that of former UFC stars such as Brock Lesnar, claiming that if he ever moved to WWE full-time, he would “fit like a glove.” But what do you think? Do you see Tom Aspinall being a WWE superstar? Let us know in the comments.
The post “Lifelong Health Issues”- Tom Aspinall’s Puts Timer on UFC Career Amid Jon Jones Fight Chaos appeared first on EssentiallySports.