TOM ASPINALL has come in HEAVIER than his last fight for his return to the UFC octagon.
The pride of Wigan returns from a 14-month layoff on Saturday night to defend his heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, which will be aired LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office.
Aspinall, 32, will be welcomed back to the cage by long-time rival Ciryl Gane.
The fan favourite didn’t slack during his hiatus, working hard in the gym and the weight room.
And the work he’s been putting in – in particular during the last eight weeks – has resulted in a heavier physique.
Aspinall tipped the scales at the official weigh-ins early this morning at 255lbs (115.9kg).
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DEADLY DIET
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That’s four pounds (1.8lkg) heavier than he weighed for his interim title defence against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last March.
Aspinall’s heavier but visibly leaner frame is the result of a mammoth diet.
During the last four weeks of training camp, he’s been wolfing down a whopping 5900 CALORIES a day.
A recent DEXA scan showed he’s maintained his 59kg of skeletal muscle mass while simultaneously dropping two kilos of overall weight.
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How to watch UFC 321
The UFC makes its annual visit to Abu Dhabi on October 25 for yet another blockbuster pay-per-view card.
UFC 321 will take place at the state-of-the-art Etihad Arena, which has been the promotion’s home in the UAE since January 2021.
Topping the bill is the eagerly anticipated Octagon return of heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, who has been on the sidelines for the last 14 MONTHS.
The 32-year-old will make his first defence of the 265lbs title, which he was awarded following Jon Jones’ retirement, against long-time rival Ciryl Gane.
UFC gold will also be on the line in the co-main event of the evening, which will see Brazilians Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba vie for the vacant strawweight title.
UFC 321 is jam-packed with entertaining fights from top to bottom.
And MMA fans in the UK and Ireland can watch all the action from the Etihad LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office.
The UFC’s 11th pay-per-view card of the year will be available to purchase for a mere £19.99.
UFC 321 will also be available to buy on Discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Virgin Media TV and Sky Sports.
And fight fans don’t need to subscribe to TNT Sports to buy the star-studded event.
Watch UFC 321: Aspinall v Gane exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 7pm on Saturday, 25th October.
For more info visit: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
His body fat mass has dropped by 2.4kg to 13kg thanks to his hard work.
And his overall body fat is currently sitting at an impressive 11.2 per cent.
After being sidelined as a result of Jon Jones‘ umming and ahhing over their now dead-in-the-water unification bout, Aspinall is champing at the bit to rattle off as many title defences as possible.
He said: “I am going to keep this thing as active as possible.
“I want to be the best heavyweight to ever walk the face of the Earth.
“I’m gonna defend this thing as many times as I possibly can and I’m gonna keep you guys entertained.
“I’m going to give back to everybody who has shown me support over the last year, over the last five years and over the last ten years.
“We’re gonna see an active defending UFC heavyweight undisputed champion going forward.”
