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 Crowned The “Muhammad Ali Of MMA” By Ex-UFC Champ In Stunning Praise!

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

The heavyweight division has always been MMA’s crown jewel. From the early days of Tank Abbott throwing haymakers to Fedor Emelianenko’s silent dominance, big men have ruled the fight game. The UFC heavyweight belt has changed hands through brutal knockouts, surprise submissions, and sometimes pure heart. Names like Randy Couture, Cain Velasquez, and Brock Lesnar built the foundation of what we see today. Each era brought its own flavor of violence and excitement.

And in the mix is Tom Aspinall. He isn’t just another heavyweight champion. He’s rewriting the playbook entirely. The Manchester native moves like a middleweight trapped in a giant’s body. He’s finished six top ten opponents in under a round each. That’s downright scary for anyone stepping into the octagon with him. And now, a UFC great has labelled him “Muhammad Ali of MMA.”

Michael Bisping’s Bold Comparison With Muhammad Ali

Michael Bisping knows a thing or two about championship fights and what separates good fighters from legends. The Englishman grinded his way to the top of the middleweight division through sheer determination and a granite chin. So when he compares Aspinall to Muhammad Ali, it carries serious weight. Bisping didn’t just stop there . He also mentioned Georges St-Pierre in the same breath while talking to Bloody Elbow.

“Tom is gigantic, he’s big, he’s light on his feet. I always say he’s like the Muhammad Ali of mixed martial arts or a heavyweight Georges St-Pierre. I heavily, heavily lean towards Tom Aspinall in this fight. [vs. Gane at UFC 321].”

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The comparison makes perfect sense when fans watch Aspinall fight. Ali revolutionized boxing with his speed and footwork at heavyweight. Most big men lumber around the ring, but Ali danced. Aspinall does the same thing in MMA. He moves with the grace of a much smaller fighter while packing the power of a freight train.

The Ali comparison goes deeper than just movement though. Both fighters possess that rare combination of physical gifts and mental sharpness. Ali could outthink his opponents just as easily as he could outbox them. Aspinall shows similar fight IQ, reading his opponents and striking at the perfect moment. When Bisping says Tom moves “like Muhammad Ali,” he’s not just talking about footwork. He’s talking about that special quality that separates champions from everyone else.

Aspinall’s upcoming fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi this October will be his first defense and arguably his toughest fight till date. It’s a chance to silence any remaining doubters and cement his place among the heavyweight greats.

(Image Credit: Wendell Cruz – Imagn Images)

Michael Bisping

Muhammad Ali

Tom Aspinall

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!