Paddy Pimblett Trains with UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall: Inside the Gym & Real Talk

Paddy kicks off the video with a lively introduction, setting the tone for a special training session with Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champion. The location is conveniently close to Liverpool, just a short drive away, which adds a casual, friendly vibe to the visit. Paddy’s humor shines early on, especially when he jokes about the “naughty socks” and the infamous “white socks” taboo in training environments.

"Special one for you today we're going to visit our friend Tom Asmo heavyweight champion of the world not too far from Liverpool 30 40 minutes away so it's only up the road have a little chat [ __ ] with them little training session see what it's like with the big boys." 0

Key points:

• Casual, friendly atmosphere with humor about gym culture (white socks).
• Paddy’s excitement about training with a top-level heavyweight.
• Setting the stage for a unique cross-weight training experience.

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Paddy explores the gym, noting the “three rings” sign and reflecting on his recent lack of sparring due to filming and travel. He shares a candid moment about a tough six-mile run on the beach, showing his dedication despite challenges. The conversation about gloves and sparring gear adds authenticity, with Tom sharing his preferences and experiences with different gloves, including some “99p specials” that didn’t last long.

"I haven't had a first session back from Cypress and even last week I had to do filming on the Friday and something on the Thursday so I couldn't sing on the Thursday lad so I haven't seen since last Wednesday lad caved me ass so bad." 0:48

"These gloves are so bad did you ever fight in these ones Tom no the ones that they had for a bit then they got rid of yeah yeah they're [ __ ] [ __ ] aren't they." 2:15

Key points:

• Paddy’s recent training and sparring hiatus.
• Insight into gym equipment and sparring culture.
• Friendly banter about gear quality and preferences.

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The training kicks off with Paddy and Tom engaging in drills that test reflexes and movement. Paddy humorously tries to trick Tom by moving his hand, but Tom counters smoothly. The session includes blocking and footwork drills, emphasizing speed and precision. Paddy’s commentary keeps the energy high, and the camaraderie between the two fighters is evident.

"I'm going to block this make him touch the fence." 3:35

"One minute left let's go faster faster faster 10 second break 10 9 8 Let's go stances now third ball [ __ ]" 8:09

Key points:

• Focus on speed, reflexes, and defensive drills.
• Paddy’s playful approach to training.
• Mutual respect and enjoyment of the session.

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After the session, Tom reflects on their first time training together despite knowing each other for years. He praises Paddy’s skill level and shares insights about his own recent weight and conditioning. The conversation reveals Tom’s fitness routine, including running and sauna use for weight management, contrasting with Paddy’s own weight class and approach.

"Me and Patty have known each other for a long time but that's actually the first time we trained together so it was good he's obviously a very high level guy himself it's good stuff i really enjoyed it nice sweat on lad probably what I needed at the minute sweat the alcohol out of me from Bruce Springsteen last night." 9:01

"That first bath last time I made I done 5.4 £4 one bath and sauna blanket when when we was at that UFC Tom when I was at UFC London Tom was there and he's just sitting there with two pints in his hand eating all the chicken burgers and that and I'm just watching like you bastard." 7:35

Key points:

• Mutual respect and recognition of each other’s skills.
• Insight into weight cutting and conditioning differences.
• Lighthearted anecdotes about lifestyle contrasts.

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Tom opens up about the frustrations of being in limbo due to UFC politics, especially regarding Jon Jones and title situations. He expresses his pure love for fighting, beyond fame or money, and the difficulty of not being able to compete for nearly a year. This candid moment reveals the emotional and mental challenges fighters face outside the octagon.

"Jon Jones oh yeah yeah that old one living his best life mate in Thailand so everybody reaches a sell by date don't they everybody's got a time limit he's reached it and we move on." 10:18

"Money fame titles rankings all that aside i just love fighting yeah exactly i I just like fighting people that's what I got into it for i didn't get into it for really for anything else all the other stuff is just like nice to have on top." 11:00

Key points:

• Frustration with UFC’s handling of title defenses and politics.
• Tom’s passion for fighting as the core motivation.
• Emotional toll of inactivity despite readiness.

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Tom shares his approach to training without a specific opponent, focusing on overall improvement rather than fight-specific preparation. He also discusses his diet during fight camp, detailing calorie deficits and the physical toll of intense training. Paddy relates with his own experience, highlighting the challenges of maintaining weight and fitness.

"When you've got a fight you're training for a guy aren't you you're training for one guy i've just been training to get better which is great do you know what I mean i've been like improving and that." 12:02

"I'll start at like 2 and a half th000 calories then halfway full I'll bring it down to like 2250 then towards the end I'm on like 2,000 but I'm burning like 3 to 4 yeah." 12:49

Key points:

• Training for skill and fitness improvement without a fight date.
• Detailed calorie management during fight camp.
• Shared understanding of the physical demands of MMA training.

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Both Paddy and Tom admit they don’t watch pure grappling much and prefer MMA grappling that incorporates striking. They joke about how some UFC fighters “roll” on the ground in a way that looks bad, emphasizing their preference for a more aggressive, strike-inclusive style.

"I don't really do jiu-jitsu anymore yeah same i do MMA jiu-jitsu i say exactly i don't ever just roll anymore if I'm rolling it's for shower strikes." 14:09

"When you watch some people in the UFC when they hit the floor they just roll yeah it's not good they don't roll it looks bad you know what I mean." 14:19

Key points:

• Preference for MMA grappling over pure grappling.
• Criticism of passive ground movement in UFC fights.
• Emphasis on striking even in grappling exchanges.

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The video wraps up with Paddy and Tom checking out a mural of Paddy painted in the gym. Paddy humorously critiques the cartoonish style and his fancy dress outfit in the artwork. The lighthearted moment contrasts with the serious training earlier, ending the video on a fun note. Paddy encourages viewers to check out Tom’s social media and participate in a giveaway contest.

"He's absolutely shy look at that look at this face isn't that bad on it no the the face is all right why am I in fancy dress but the body is cartoonish is it why yeah but why am I dressed like that never seen him pout like that before." 14:50

"Nice one for watching people who've had a nice little day out with Tom there little training session little scran get on Tom's YouTube like and subscribe all his [ __ ] same with his social media." 15:35

Key points:

• Humorous critique of the mural’s artistic style.
• Friendly banter about the depiction.
• Call to action for viewers to engage with both fighters’ channels.

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This video offers a genuine glimpse into the life and mindset of two high-level fighters from different weight classes, blending humor, training insights, and candid discussions about the realities of professional MMA. Paddy’s natural storytelling and chemistry with Tom Aspinall make the content engaging and relatable for fans.