Tyson Fury has expressed his delight for close friend Tom Aspinall after the British heavyweight secured a shot at the UFC interim heavyweight title on short notice. Aspinall will face Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 next month after undisputed champion Jon Jones withdrew due to injury.
Fury, who is preparing to face former UFC champion Francis Ngannou on Saturday, has trained with Aspinall for over a decade. Speaking on The MMA Hour, Fury said: 'I always said since Tom started in the UFC that he’s capable of winning the heavyweight championship of the world. This is his opportunity to go there, seize it with both hands and immortality awaits.'
The Gypsy King recalled Aspinall's early struggles in the sport, saying: 'I remember when he didn’t have any money and was struggling to get fights. It makes me happy and proud.' Aspinall previously credited Fury and his family for reviving his career after training at Fury's gym for two years in his early professional days.
