Tom Aspinall (image via YouTube / UFC)

By FCF Staff

Tom Aspinall would clearly love to compete at the UFC’s upcoming card in his home country of England. But, the rising star isn’t sure he should push his return, after suffering a serious knee injury last year.

The British heavyweight suffered the injury in his July bout with Curtis Blaydes, which snapped Aspinall’s 8-fight winning streak.

Recently the 29-year-old Aspinall (12-3) spoke with OLBG, and while discussing the possibility of competing at the March 18th, UFC card in London, he said this.

“My ego wants to go ‘stick me on the card I’m good to go’ but I need to think long term which I’ve not been doing and need to get everything right.

“I’m not ruling it out (fighting at UFC London). At the minute it’s still like 14-15 weeks away.  And at this point I’ve not done much heavy training. It’s just been rehab really. But can I get ready in 14 weeks? The answer is yes. Will I be ready to start a title run in 14 weeks, I don’t know. And if I don’t know – that’s not the answer I’m looking for. It’s highly unlikely but not a complete no at this point.

“I can’t afford for that [the injury] to happen again. I’m not talking about finances, I’m talking about my ego. My ego can’t take that again. Me on my back, clutching onto my knee – it’s just not going to happen again. There’s just no chance I can let that happen again. The knee has to be one million percent. My ego wants to go ‘stick me on the card I’m good to go’ but I need to think long term which I’ve not been doing and need to get everything right…”

Aspinall is currently ranked #6 in the UFC’s heavyweight division.