Tom Aspinall On Calling Out Tai Tuivasa: ‘I’m A Shoe Virgin At The Moment’

Tom Aspinall is thrilled about the idea of facing Tai Tuvasa next and possibly doing a "shoey" for the first time.

Last updated on March 20th, 2022

Tom Aspinall has set his sights on Tui Taivasa
Aspinall will be happy to do a shoey with Tuivasa
The Englishman prefers knockouts over submissions

Tom Aspinall put on another sensation performance in front of his hometown fans at UFC Fight Night 204 as he finished Alexander Volkov via first-round submission. The win saw Aspinall extending his unbeaten UFC streak to five fights in a row.

The 28-year-old is now looking forward to another thrilling heavyweight showdown with fan favorite Tai Tuivasa.

Aspinall wants Tuivasa in the UK

In his octagon interview, Aspinall called out Tuivasa and vowed to be ready for him the moment he set foot in the UK. Lifting the lid on the subject, Aspinall said in his post-fight press conference that he and Tuivasa are both crowd-favorites and it would be great if they meet face each other in the next UFC UK card.

“The reason why I called out Tai is first of all, am a massive fan of his style,” Aspinall said via The Mac Life. “Second of all [I’m] a massive fan of his personality. And the crowd goes wild when he fights and apparently, the crowd goes wild when I fight so me and him in the U.K., come on bro! What a good time that would be. Let’s line up the next UK card get me and Tai on it please.”

Hey @BamBamTuivasa you hearing this? 👀 #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/qercbAwupS

— UFC (@ufc) March 19, 2022

A Shoey virgin

Aspinall also acknowledged that Tuivasa has made quite a name for himself with his “shoey” celebration. Though he has never done it, Aspinall is open to pop his shoey cherry with Tuivasa.

“I’m a shoey virgin at the moment but if Tai wants to do one, I will,” he admitted. “Big shout out to Tai for what he’s doing with the shoe and I started seeing his making money off that as well so, respect man!”

Always go for knockouts

Despite finishing Volkov via rear-naked choke submission, Aspinall surprisingly confessed that he always prefers knockouts. However, he also stressed that he’d rather submit his opponents rather than square off with them for five full rounds.

“I do like knocking people out, I will be honest,” he admitted. “For me, knocking someone out is better than submission but I’ll take the submission over five rounds [of fighting] all day.”