UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall traded his cage gloves for army boots in a grueling fitness test that pushed the Manchester contender to his limits. The 32-year-old is known for his dominance in the octagon. In a recent video, he faced a completely different challenge when he took on the British Army’s physical assessments alongside military preparation coach Farren Morgan.
Despite admitting he was “too old” to join the army and acknowledging this wasn’t his usual training regime, Aspinall embraced the challenge with characteristic determination. “I’m a bloody cage fighter,” he declared before the test began, setting the stage for what would prove to be an impressive display of athletic versatility.
The comprehensive assessment began with the repeated lift and carry test, a component of the Royal Fitness Test (RFT). Aspinall had to complete 39 lengths – 20 with a 20-kilogram sandbag and 19 without – within 14 minutes.
The heavyweight champion crushed this challenge, finishing in an impressive 8 minutes and 45 seconds, demonstrating what Morgan described as “elite level fitness.”
Next came the bleep test, where Aspinall’s running ability was put to the test. Despite his self-deprecating comment that his “physique is not built for running,” he achieved level 10.1, once again exceeding expectations. The fact that both men completed the test in military boots on an uphill gradient made the achievement even more remarkable.
The Farmers Carry proved to be the most challenging component for Aspinall. Carrying 20-kilogram weights in each hand while wearing a 17-kilogram backpack, he had to complete 240 meters in under four minutes.
When asked how his grip was feeling, Aspinall admitted mid-test, “Not great.” However, he persevered to complete the challenge in under three minutes.
The assessment continued with deadlifts, press-ups, and pull-ups, each testing different aspects of military fitness. Aspinall’s performance in the press-up test was particularly noteworthy, achieving 45 repetitions in 60 seconds with what Morgan praised as “gold standard” form. His pull-up performance, reaching approximately eight repetitions, further demonstrated his well-rounded fitness despite the exercises being outside his usual training focus.
Throughout the challenge, Aspinall gained a deeper appreciation for military fitness standards. “These are tough boys,” he reflected, acknowledging that while combat athletes train hard, military fitness represents a different kind of conditioning focused on carrying equipment and sustained physical demands.
The session concluded with Aspinall attempting to throw a 15-kilogram ball to touch the gym’s roof, a challenge that had defeated most athletes who had attempted it. While he came close, falling approximately two feet short, his explosive power remained evident.
Aspinall’s performance across all tests earned him praise from Morgan, who described his efforts as “elite level” throughout. The UFC champion’s willingness to step outside his comfort zone and tackle unfamiliar challenges demonstrated the mental toughness that has made him successful in mixed martial arts.
