Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) reacts to beating Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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Tom Aspinall Addresses the Harsh Reality of MMA Fame Following the Eye-Poke Incident At UFC 321

Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) reacts to beating Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Success in MMA brings plenty of rewards but also unexpected challenges. Fighters work their entire lives to reach championship level. They sacrifice everything to get there. The money improves, the recognition grows, and opportunities multiply. But fame also comes with a darker side that catches many athletes off guard. Social media amplifies every moment, both good and bad. One controversial incident can turn public opinion instantly. Fans who cheered a fighter last week might attack them today. It’s a brutal reality that Tom Aspinall is facing right now.

The English heavyweight had been riding high in the division with an impressive winning streak. He’d knocked out opponents and submitted others on his path to title contention. Fans loved his finishing ability and exciting fighting style. Everything seemed to be going perfectly for Aspinall heading into the biggest fight of his career. Then UFC 321 happened in October, and following the eye-poke incident, everything changed overnight.

Tom Aspinall Shares The Dark Side Of Fame

The aftermath of UFC 321 proved even more painful than the eye pokes themselves. Some MMA fans immediately accused Aspinall of quitting the fight. Others blamed Gane for the rule violations. The internet exploded with hot takes and angry opinions. Social media turned into a battlefield of conflicting viewpoints. Aspinall found himself under attack from people who had supported him just days earlier.

But the public backlash wasn’t even the worst part for Aspinall. During a recent interview with One on One MMA, the heavyweight opened up about something more personally hurtful. People he considered friends turned their backs on him after the incident. Close associates publicly shared negative opinions about the situation. The experience taught Aspinall a harsh lesson about relationships in the fight game.

“People turn on you really quick… even if they’re your friend. Maybe the fact is that they’re not your friend. They’ll come out and say certain stuff when you have a relationship with them.”

Tom Aspinall says some people switched up on him after the eye poke situation 😬

"People turn on you really quick… even if they're your friend. Maybe the fact is that they're not your friend. They'll come out and say certain stuff when you have a relationship with them."

(via… pic.twitter.com/DSOGycnm44
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 29, 2025

Aspinall had heard stories about jealousy and backstabbing in combat sports. However, he’d never personally experienced it until the UFC 321 incident. Friends who had his back suddenly felt comfortable criticizing him publicly. The betrayal stung worse than any punch he’d taken in the octagon. Aspinall suggested that maybe these people weren’t really his friends to begin with.

The entire experience revealed the lonely reality of fighting at the highest level. Success brings fake friends and fair-weather supporters. One bad moment can expose who truly has your back. Aspinall learned this lesson publicly and painfully.

(Image Credit: Wendell Cruz – Imagn Images)

Ciryl Gane

Tom Aspinall

UFC 321

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!