By Tom Aspinall is going to great lengths in preparation for his interim heavyweight title defense against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 on July 27 in Manchester. Aspinall, a native of England, has adopted an unconventional training method inspired by his heritage and the 2011 documentary Knuckle, which explores Irish Traveller bare-knuckle boxing. Following the example of Joe Joyce, a legendary figure in the documentary, Aspinall has been soaking his knuckles in petrol for 20 minutes each morning at 4 a.m., claiming it hardens them significantly.
In addition to the petrol-soaking routine, Aspinall shadowboxes around hay bales at dawn to further prepare himself. Despite the unusual methods, Aspinall is serious about his preparation and believes these techniques give him the hardest knuckles in the UFC. He is also acclimating his body to early morning activity to adjust for the fight’s late-night timing, which is scheduled to accommodate a North American broadcast schedule.
Aspinall downplays concerns about the early start time, stating that a true fighter should perform well regardless of the hour. He emphasizes his confidence and readiness, having traveled and fought in various time zones without issue.
The upcoming fight holds significant personal and professional importance for Aspinall. It takes place in Manchester, near his childhood home, and offers him a chance to avenge his only UFC loss, which occurred against Blaydes due to a knee injury just 15 seconds into their previous bout. Aspinall views this fight as the culmination of his lifelong dream, aiming to defend his UFC heavyweight title in front of 25,000 fans in his hometown.
Reflecting on his journey, Aspinall expresses gratitude for reaching this pinnacle, highlighting the rarity of achieving such a dream and the importance of savoring the moment, regardless of the outcome.
