Tom Aspinall is known for surrounding himself with training partners who consistently challenge and elevate each other`s performance. Recently, Aspinall showed deep emotion while observing Ante Delija`s UFC debut in Paris.
As the promotion`s heavyweight champion, Aspinall`s presence cage-side for his team`s significant night underscored his strong dedication to his training partners. Aspinall recently indicated he would prefer to relinquish his title rather than fight Delija, highlighting the strong bond within his team. However, Delija isn`t the only notable heavyweight the British champion trains with.
In fact, for several years, Aspinall has trained alongside a fighter who achieved a remarkable career after a brief tenure in the UFC more than a decade ago.
Phil De Fries: From UFC Exit to 12 Heavyweight Title Defenses
Earlier this year, Tom Aspinall celebrated Phil De Fries` most recent victory, having been a training partner with his fellow British fighter for many years. Although De Fries has previously sought high-profile crossover fights, he has largely remained unnoticed by the general MMA fanbase.
Between November 2011 and April 2013, De Fries competed in the UFC`s heavyweight division, accumulating a 2-3 record before being released. His first career loss in the UFC was against Stipe Miocic.
De Fries then fought in promotions like Bellator before ultimately signing with the Polish organization KSW. He made his KSW debut on the same evening Dricus du Plessis defeated Roberto Soldic in their initial encounter.
De Fries secured the promotion`s heavyweight championship in his April 2018 debut and has since maintained his dominance at the top of the division, achieving an impressive 12 consecutive title defenses. During this period, he has defeated notable fighters such as Tomasz Narkun, Augusto Sakai, and even Todd Duffee, who had previously defeated him inside the Octagon in 2012.
Twelve consecutive title defenses are remarkable in any weight class, but for De Fries to achieve this feat in the heavyweight division, where fights can dramatically shift in an instant, is truly astonishing.
Phil De Fries Aims for 13th Title Defense This Saturday
This Saturday in the Czech Republic, Phil De Fries is set to compete in his second fight of 2025. The reigning champion will seek his 13th consecutive title defense against Slovakian contender Stefan Vojcak in the evening`s main event.
Vojcak, a 35-year-old knockout artist with only 10 professional fights, faces a significant experience gap against De Fries` 27-6 record. Already holding KSW records for the most title fights and the longest winning streak, the 39-year-old De Fries aims to further extend his impressive statistics.
