Tom Aspinall, the UFC interim heavyweight champion, recently took a break from his rigorous training schedule to uplift the spirits of a young fan named Ottis. As part of Gym King’s “Nothing Beats Belief” campaign, aimed at promoting resilience and a positive mindset, Aspinall spent time with Ottis, who has faced challenges after moving to the UK from Antigua and now resides in care.
Ottis, a 16-year-old aspiring MMA enthusiast and follower of Aspinall’s career, had missed previous opportunities to meet his idol due to crowded events. Determined to make a difference, Aspinall surprised Ottis with an impromptu pad session at a local gym, offering him a firsthand experience of life as a mixed martial arts fighter.
“He’s a fan of mine and has been to a couple of meet-and-greets I’ve done,” Aspinall explained to Mirror Fighting. “Unfortunately, the way they work, you get brought in for an hour or an hour-and-a-half and if the queue is big enough not everyone gets to see me. Ottis showed up and I wasn’t able to see him. I was made aware of this and I wanted to go down and meet him because I know he’s had a rough life.”
The encounter left a profound impact on both Ottis and Aspinall. “I did a pad session with him, he’s a super-nice guy and I was able to make him smile,” Aspinall shared. “I love doing stuff like that, it gives me great energy. At the minute I’m training to defend my world title so there’s not a lot else I can do so it was nice to take a break from thinking about training for an afternoon and putting a smile on his face.”
Despite Ottis’ initial quiet demeanor during their meeting, Aspinall sensed the significance of their interaction. “He was pretty good; he’s just had his first kickboxing fight,” Aspinall remarked. “He didn’t say much so I think he was shocked but I really enjoyed it and I could see that it meant a lot to him. It was nice to give back a little bit.”
Aspinall’s gesture exemplifies the positive influence athletes can have beyond their sport, demonstrating empathy and encouragement to inspire others facing adversity. With his upcoming title defense against Curtis Blaydes in Manchester, Aspinall’s commitment to both his sport and his community shines brightly.
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