The undisputed heavyweight champion is covered in tattoos, and has previously explained the special meaning behind one of his former pieces of artwork
Over the years, many fans have seen their favourite fighters sporting some outrageous tattoos. However, there are a few whose body art holds a unique meaning.
Undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is covered in tattoos across his body, admits he has spent well over 70 hours getting tattoos done across his arms, chest and back. There were a few pieces of work that he was not particularly fond of, though.
In a video uploaded to his various social media channels last year, the 32-year-old explained the meaning behind the majority of his art work and even detailed some of the previous tattoos he had done. Currently on his back, the Brit has a large foo dog – which symbolises the protector of the family in Chinese.
It was not always like that, as the UFC star previously described a unique clock he had. Aspinall explained that rather than having a clock-face with regular numbers on it, he decided to plaster it with money signs, insisting “you could never get like the right balance between time and money.”
Discussing the distinctive meaning behind his former back tattoo, Aspinall said: “Originally, I had a clock on my back and instead of numbers on the clock, it was like money signs. So, I would have like dollars, euros, pounds, just different money signs all around because it meant like you could never get like the right balance between time and money. Which I still agree with, I like the concept of it. But, after a while, I wanted my full back done. I do not know why!”
The 32-year-old then went into great detail about the rest of his body work, explaining: “It has been a little bit of a journey getting tattoos. I have got a lot of cover-ups. I have had a lot of bad tattoos over the years. Still got some bad ones, but we are trying to get through them slowly but surely. I got my first tattoo when I was 15 by the way. This arm (clutching his right arm) had a tribal that was here (along the top of his arm). I was still in school at the time. used to wear a school uniform.
“Used to pop under my uniform. I used to think I was the hardest man on earth walking about school with a tattoo. So, that was a tribal. I have actually had that covered four times you know. So, it was like a different kind of tribal where it had some gaps and some kind of Polynesian-ish style stuff. Then, I got it covered with like the black tribal stuff. Then, I got it all blacked out and now I have got some white stuff over the black. This actually still needs a bit of work done on it (holding the lower end of his right arm). It is still not fully covered.”
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He added: “But, I used to have an old school theme going on this arm. That is a cover up as well (pointing towards the top half of his left arm). Had some writing on there. Had some birds on there. had some clouds and all that on there. But it all changed when I had the back piece. it is called a foo dog – which is Chinese dog that is like the protector of the family. Which is how I see myself. But I also think it looks cool. It is just not for the meaning.”
Fans will be able to catch a glimpse of Aspinall’s body paint on Saturday night when he takes on Ciryl Gane. The Brit will be looking to successfully defend his heavyweight title in Abu Dhabi after being promoted to undisputed champion following Jon Jones’ retirement earlier this year.
When is Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane?
Aspinall’s showdown with Gane is set to take place on October 25 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The pair’s clash will headline the UFC 321 pay-per-view card. Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida will also compete at the event – seemingly for the number one heavyweight contender spot.
A light-heavyweight showdown between Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov has also been announced, while Mitch Raposo will take on Azat Maksum. The co-main event sees Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern going head-to-head for the vacant women’s strawweight title. The broadcast of the preliminary card will be available for TNT Sports subscribers to watch on TNT Sports 4 and on TNT Sports Box Office for anyone to watch in the UK and Ireland from 5pm (12pm ET / 9am PT / 11am CT).
The main card is scheduled to get underway at 7pm UK time (2pm ET / 11am PT / 1pm CT). In the main event, expect Gane to make the walk to the cage first at around 9:30pm UK time (4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT / 3:30pm) with Aspinall to follow immediately after. The timings of all fights are subject to change and will depend on how long the undercard takes to complete. Fans in the UK and Ireland can watch the main card exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office at a cost of £19.99.