After impressing one and all with his performance at UFC 295, Tom Aspinall earned the interim heavyweight champion title. The hard-hitting Brit knocked out Sergei Pavlovich in the first round, proving to everyone that he is a threat in the division. Despite his impressive performance, he is still waiting for his title fight with the champion Jon Jones. Meanwhile, apart from his fighting style, there is one more thing that helps Aspinall stand out and it is his moniker.

Having unique nicknames is not an unusual practice in the UFC and the English fighter also has one. What is the story behind the name? Let’s find out.

Does Tom Aspinall have a nickname?

31-year-old is one of the devastating fighters in the heavyweight division. Not only does he have the speed, but also has the power to knock people out. However, more than his fighting style, his nickname ‘Honey Badger’ has caught the attention of fans. The name was given to him by Daniel Cormier before his emphatic UFC 295 victory, as revealed by the champion in an interview.

During the UFC 295 pre-fight press conference, Aspinall claimed, “DC actually told me today about a honey badger. That’s me. I’m the honey badger moving forward. I’m happy with that, that’s cool.” 

Aspinall is currently on the verge of defending his title for the first time in his career against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. During his previous clash against Blaydes, Aspinall suffered an injury during the fight, forcing him to lose the fight. This time around, the 31-year-old is a man on a mission and is confident of beating him. Aspinall has not only improved his physical conditioning but also worked on his skills. However, not many know about his journey in MMA and how he started fighting.

How did Tom Aspinall start fighting?

Just like most fighters in the UFC, Tom Aspinall’s love for fighting began at a very young age. He first started training under the guidance of his father, Andy Aspinall. During his initial days, ‘Honey Badger’ trained in different forms of martial arts which include boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, he burst onto the scene with when he signed a five-fight contract with Cage Warriors.

Aspinall impressed one and all with his performance in his first two fights and eventually found himself in the UFC. The fighter currently holds the interim heavyweight title and has come a long way in his MMA journey. ‘Honey Badger’ has been waiting to earn the heavyweight title for quite some time now. Despite getting blanked by ‘Bones’ on multiple occasions, the Brit is confident of getting himself a fight.

However, he will first have to deal with the challenge of Curtis Blaydes. Who do you think will win the fight between the two? Let us know in the comments below.