Tom Aspinall: The UFC Doesn't Want You To Know This! Jon Jones Wasn't Living Like An Athlete!

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

BREAKING: Dana White announces Jon Jones retirement…but UFC Heavyweight star Tom Aspinall still wants a title fight. He reveals the truth about Jon Jones’ retirement, and breaks down the champion mindset, fear, and mental toughness required for UFC title fights.

Tom Aspinall is the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, a top-ranked professional mixed martial artist, and the first British heavyweight in history to claim a UFC title. He was set to face UFC legend Jon Jones until Jones announced his retirement in June 2025, automatically elevating Aspinall from interim to undisputed champion.

Tom explains:

• The mental trick he uses to control fear before stepping into the cage.

• Why so many young men feel lost, and how MMA gave him purpose.

• The harsh reality of life as a UFC fighter behind the scenes.

• How embracing pain, pressure, and adversity made him a champion.

00:00 Intro

02:37 Did You See This Coming?

03:16 What Was Your Reaction When You Found Out Jon Jones Was Retiring?

04:08 Did You Want to Fight Jon?

05:06 Was Jon's Decision a Strategic Dodge?

06:08 Do You Take It as a Compliment?

07:14 Would You Fight Jon If He Came Back?

08:36 What's Changed Overnight?

10:28 Who's the Contender Now?

11:33 When Will You Fight Next?

13:47 What Was Your Family's Reaction?

15:14 If Jon Is Watching, What Would You Say?

17:33 The Dream to Become a Heavyweight Champion

18:17 Where Does Tom Aspinall Come From?

19:37 Where Did Your Inspiration Come From?

21:53 What Kept You Going?

24:38 Why Did Your Mum Never Come to an MMA Fight?

26:32 What Advice Would You Give to Young People?

29:41 I'm Scared to Fight Anybody

31:55 I've Always Been Fearful to Fight

32:56 Overcoming the Fear

35:29 Working on Your Mental Strength

37:49 Tom's Process of Writing Things Down

41:22 Very Few Make Money Fighting

44:14 Tom Aspinall's Career Progression and Fighting Style

48:33 When Do You Start Making Good Money?

49:59 Sergei Pavlovich Fight

51:09 It Takes Years to Become an Overnight Success

52:34 Having Kids at 23 and Not Being Able to Support Them

57:11 Your Rock Bottom Moment

58:37 Tom's Family

01:01:58 Ads

1:02:57 My Knee Problems Helped My Career Massively

1:06:22 Surrounded by Toxic People

1:09:45 How Did You Feel After the Injury?

1:11:58 Did It Knock Your Confidence?

1:13:32 Jon Jones

1:17:40 There's No Contract Signed

1:23:58 Tom's Fighting Secrets

1:26:16 The Health Routine to Get Into Elite Shape

01:30:08:17 Ads

1:31:12 Why Do You Do Hypnotherapy?

1:34:36 Your Journey With Anxiety

1:37:30 Your Son's Health

1:38:18 Having an Autistic Child

1:47:27 The Importance of an Autism Diagnosis

1:52:47 The UFC Heavyweight Champion Belt

1:53:43 How Did You Feel Winning the Heavyweight Championship?

1:55:28 Retiring Early to Avoid Cognitive Issues

2:00:54 Why Are You Special?

2:03:59 How I Prepare Mentally on Fight Day

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