Tom Aspinall is going all out in his preparation for his upcoming interim heavyweight title defense against Curtis Blaydes on July 27 in Manchester at UFC 304.
For the English fighter, this means reconnecting with his roots.
“Have you seen the documentary Knuckle? Are you familiar with it? It’s a documentary about the traveling communities in the UK, and there’s a legendary figure, big Joe Joyce, who shares some gypsy methods for fight preparation,” Aspinall shared on The MMA Hour. “I wanted to tap into my gypsy heritage, so I decided to create a makeshift ring out of hay bales.
“At around 4 a.m., I set my alarm, go outside, and do some shadowboxing in the hay bales — then I follow the old traveler tradition of soaking my knuckles in petrol for about 20 minutes as the sun rises, which toughens them up.”
The documentary Knuckle from 2011 explores the world of Irish Traveller bare-knuckle boxing. The Joyces, particularly Joe Joyce, are prominently featured in the film, with a viral clip showcasing Joe’s method of hardening his knuckles with petrol.
Aspinall, 31, revealed that he is sticking to this traditional routine almost daily as he prepares for his rematch with Blaydes. He emphasized that the petrol treatment is a serious aspect of his training.
“These knuckles are some of the toughest in the UFC right now,” Aspinall asserted. “They’re like rocks.”
In addition to his morning ritual with the hay bales, Aspinall shared that his 4 a.m. wake-ups are part of his strategy for fight night. Although UFC 304 will be held in his hometown of Manchester, the event’s schedule is tailored to suit North American viewers, meaning Aspinall will likely enter the cage in the early hours of the morning.
Apart from his early-morning routine and acclimating his body to being alert at 4 a.m., Aspinall admitted that he hasn’t focused too much on the unusual start time.
“If you can perform well at midnight but struggle at 4 a.m., then you weren’t that good to begin with, in my opinion,” Aspinall remarked. “I’ve traveled across the world, fought in different time zones without adjusting, and it never bothered me. Why should it now? But I am preparing for it. I am taking it very seriously.”
“I spar at 10 a.m. once or twice a week,” he added. “I’ve never thought about sparring at midnight to prepare. It’s never crossed my mind in all my fights. I’m ready to fight, no matter the time.”
Regardless of the early start time, UFC 304 presents a significant opportunity for Aspinall.
The British fighter grew up near the venue of the event, Manchester’s Co-op Live. He also has a chance to avenge his only UFC defeat against Blaydes. Apart from that loss, Aspinall boasts a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC.
“This fight is huge for me, both professionally and personally,” Aspinall expressed.
“When I started in MMA, this is what I aimed for. This is the dream. Defending a UFC heavyweight title in my hometown in front of 25,000 fans is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that only a few get to live. Whatever happens, I’ve achieved my dream and my life has led me to this moment.”