Tom Aspinall was on top of the world, with many believing him to have all the potential to be the best heavyweight in MMA history. While his ability hasn’t faded, his public perception has suffered following his eye-poke incident at UFC 321.
The Brit was on the receiving end of an illegal maneuver, but his reaction to the poke, and with the fight subsequently ending in a no-contest, fans were less than happy with the champion. Aspinall was heading into his bout against Ciryl Gane as the heavy favorite, but fans and fellow fighters have instead targeted him after the event unfolded on October 25.
Tom Aspinall seemingly cannot escape the backlash for how he’s dealing with the result. Fans switched their opinion of Aspinall, and he has publicly noticed the shift in treatment.
“People turn on you really quick, you know?” Aspinall said. “You always hear of it, don’t you? People maybe start getting jealous and want to drag you down when you get to the top.”
Mixed martial arts has the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
One fighter can be on top of the world at one minute, and dragged straight back down to obscurity the next. While supporters changing their views on fighters isn’t uncommon, Tom Aspinall revealed it wasn’t just those online who altered their thoughts on him.
Related: Tom Aspinall shares update as eye injury medical records get released
According to Aspinall, his own friends had much to say about how his fight with Ciryl Gane ended, which has, in turn, damaged his relationship with them.
“I had never really experienced that, but people will turn their backs on you quickly and give their opinions publicly, even if they’re your friends.”
“Maybe the fact is that they’re not your friend… They’ll come out and say certain stuff when you have a relationship with them.”
Listen to Tom Aspinall discuss the infamous eye poke and more below.
