Tom Aspinall responds to Chael Sonnen’s promo criticism: ‘I am very happy being myself’

Chael Sonnen is a fan of Tom Aspinall however needs the No. 6 ranked UFC heavyweight contender to cease underselling and begin selling himself.

Sonnen spoke about Aspinall on his Past the Combat podcast, saying he considers the 29-year-old to be a ‘particular expertise’ and the way forward for the heavyweight division. Nonetheless, the analyst took subject together with his method to getting fights as a result of it lacks the component of self-promotion. Given his personal expertise with self-promotion all through his skilled profession, Sonnen defined why it’s detrimental for Aspinall to stay measured in his pursuit of a possible championship alternative.

“He comes out and does an interview — I can not keep in mind what was mentioned, I used to be disgusted, I ended up shutting the web page — speaking about, ‘Who would not wish to see Francis Ngannou field? Ngannou’s only a nice boxer,” mentioned Sonnen. “It went on from there, put another folks over. He is a legit fan. I do perceive that in all equity and he does come off as a really candy man. That is true. Tom truly is coming off like a very nice man, I need to inform the opposite aspect of the coin.

“I can not put him again in a foremost occasion,” continued Sonnen. “I can not put him in a title shot. I can not put him in something that he says he would not belong in. No person can.”

Aspinall has addressed his method earlier than, telling Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that he prefers to struggle — not speak — his means into competition.

“I by no means thought that I used to be going to be speaking a few title after 5 UFC fights, six UFC fights,” mentioned Aspinall. “I really feel like I’ve acquired extra work to do. I’ve acquired much more work to do, extra proving. I do not wish to be one in every of these individuals who will get right here by speaking. That is not me.”

Judging by his response to Sonnen, it seems as if he isn’t altering that.

“I am very happy being myself thanks and never promoting myself out and performing like a [clown] for views and cash,” wrote Aspinall on Instagram Tales. “I’m not a WWE entertainer I am one of many biggest heavyweights to stroll on this [Earth] and will probably be proven in my physique of labor from my UFC debut till I retire in 10 years. I need not speak s—t. Glad to be myself.”

Aspinall emerged as a contender after 5 consecutive wins within the UFC. He just lately submitted Alexander Volkov through first-round armbar at UFC London this previous March.

The Englishman returns to London for his second headliner this 12 months. Aspinall shares the Octagon with Curtis Blaydes in his subsequent look.