Tom Aspinall reveals what made him soak knuckles in petrol, addresses potential health risks of "old gypsy method"
Tom Aspinall recently opened up about soaking his knuckles with fuel in preparation for his upcoming fight at UFC 304, while dismissing the health risks associated with the ''old gypsy method.'' The interim UFC heavyweight champion is set to defend his title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes on July 27 in Manchester.
During an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Aspinall said that he has been using traditional Irish traveler training methods to condition his hands. Aspinall mentioned that he usually goes to bed at 11:00 p.m. or 12:00 a.m. and wakes up at 4:00 am. When he wakes up, he soaks his knuckles in petrol and stretches and shadowboxes in a ring formed of bales of hay.
''I do the old traveler method of dipping your knuckles in petrol for about 20 minutes, as the sun's coming up. And that hardens your knuckles.''
Check out Tom Aspinall's comments below (12:30):
At UFC 304 media day, the 31-year-old said that he began soaking his knuckles in gasoline because he felt there was less protection around the UFC's new gloves:
''Mate, they’re like absolute stones. You know what, I’ve seen them new gloves, and they’re a lot smaller than the other ones. There’s a lot less padding on them. And I just thought, you know what, I need to harden the knuckles up, and that’s the only way I know how. I’ve been doing the old gypsy method of dipping them in petrol, and they’re like rocks.''
When asked about the potential health risks, Aspinall joked that half of the promotion's roster will follow his method if he gets a spectacular knockout on Saturday.
Check out the post below:
Curtis Blaydes is a tough matchup for Tom Aspinall according to Chael Sonnen
Tom Aspinall hopes to maintain his position as the top contender in the heavyweight division when he takes on Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. However, UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen feels Blaydes will be the Brit's most difficult opponent.
Sonnen responded to Daniel Cormier's question about whether the American was a tough matchup for Aspinall in a recent episode of the Good Guy/Bad Guy podcast by saying:
''And not only is the answer yes, not only for Tom Aspinall, by the X’s and O’s if we had Jon Jones here right now, and ask him, ‘Hey man who has got the skills to give you the biggest problem,’ it is without question Curtis Blaydes.''
Check out Chael Sonnen's comments below (7:05):