UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has recently shared his thoughts on a fascinating “what if” scenario: who would win in a fight between a high-level MMA fighter and a specially trained SAS soldier. The discussion, which surfaced during an appearance on Logan Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast, has captured the imagination of fans across the world. Aspinall, who has established himself as one of the most dominant figures in mixed martial arts, weighed in with both insight and caution.

Aspinall: From Martial Arts Prodigy to UFC Heavyweight Champion

At just 32 years old, Tom Aspinall has become one of the most formidable athletes in the MMA world. Standing 6ft 5 and weighing 250 pounds, he has amassed an impressive professional record of 15 wins with 12 knockouts out of 18 fights. Trained in martial arts since the age of seven, Aspinall’s rise in the UFC has been marked by both skill and strategic dominance.

In June, Dana White confirmed Jon Jones’ retirement, paving the way for Aspinall to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion. Known for his precision striking, grappling ability, and mental toughness, Aspinall embodies the peak of modern MMA training, making his insights into hypothetical combat scenarios particularly compelling.

The SAS Soldier vs. MMA Fighter Debate

During the podcast, co-host Mike Majlak asked Aspinall about the possibility of an MMA fighter facing off against specially trained military operatives, such as SAS soldiers. These soldiers are trained not just for combat sports but for lethal operations, including hand-to-hand combat, weapon handling, and tactical strategy. Majlak highlighted the soldiers’ training to “render you lifeless,” prompting Aspinall to consider how the fight would unfold under different conditions.

Aspinall acknowledged the challenge:
“We are trained to hurt each other. That’s part of the sport. They are trained to kill, they are trained to poke eyes and knee in the groin – do all the stuff that we can’t do by rules.”

However, he countered by pointing out the adaptability of MMA fighters:
“When the rules are taken away, who’s to say we can’t headbutt them, poke them in the eye and knee them in the balls. If we’re not talking no weapons, you could get any MMA fighter and put him against an SAS special forces operative, and I’m pretty sure nine times out of ten, the MMA guy will come out on top.”

This perspective underscores the versatility and tactical intelligence inherent in top-level MMA fighters, who train extensively in various combat disciplines, including wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and striking.

Aspinall’s Realistic Perspective on Combat Scenarios

While confident in MMA skills, Aspinall also stressed the importance of context:
“I would like to think so. I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t walk in a room and do an eye test, like, ‘I can take all of you.’ My mind just doesn’t work that way. That’s why I said, ‘Define the baddest man.’ Because if there are weapons involved, I’ve got no chance – I don’t know what I’m doing.”

His comments reveal a measured approach to combat speculation, acknowledging that while MMA fighters have exceptional skill sets, specialized military training introduces variables that could dramatically alter the outcome.

Historical Precedents: MMA Fighters vs. Military Personnel

Aspinall’s analysis was further enriched by examples from other fighters who faced trained military personnel. Logan Paul brought up Sean Strickland, an MMA fighter who reportedly “beat the living s*** out of” an ex-Navy SEAL during a controlled scenario.

Closer to Aspinall, Paddy Pimblett, another British UFC star, faced a gauntlet of 10 United States Marines at Camp Pendleton in 2022. Pimblett submitted every Marine in succession, showcasing the effectiveness of professional MMA grappling techniques against trained soldiers. The video of this demonstration went viral, amassing over 14 million views and sparking discussions about MMA versus military combat training.

Pimblett himself humorously reflected on the experience:
“I have the balance of a ballerina lad and weigh like a f**king sumo wrestler. You know what I mean, I’m a weirdo lad, proper weirdo.”

This viral moment emphasizes the skill gap between trained fighters and even highly trained military personnel in controlled one-on-one combat situations, particularly when MMA rules and techniques are applied.

Why MMA Fighters Might Have an Edge Over Special Forces

Several factors contribute to the argument that top-level MMA fighters, like Aspinall, could potentially outmatch an SAS soldier in a no-weapons, hand-to-hand scenario:

Specialized Combat Training
MMA fighters train across multiple disciplines: boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and more. This combination of striking, grappling, and submission skills allows fighters to adapt to a wide range of opponents.

Rule-Breaking Adaptability
Unlike MMA competition, which restricts certain attacks, fighters can apply techniques that exploit weaknesses, including illegal maneuvers in regulated matches, giving them a theoretical edge in no-rule confrontations.

Experience Against Live Resistance
MMA athletes regularly face opponents of equal or superior skill, developing mental resilience, timing, and reflexes that are critical in unpredictable combat situations.

Cardiovascular Conditioning
Fighters like Aspinall maintain peak physical conditioning, allowing for sustained performance under extreme stress, a factor crucial in prolonged fights.

Potential Limitations of MMA vs. SAS Matchups

While Aspinall’s confidence is well-founded, he acknowledges limitations:

Weapons and Tactical Training: SAS soldiers are experts in tactical engagement and weapons, which would tilt the odds in real-world combat scenarios.

Psychological Edge: Military operatives train to handle life-or-death situations, which could create psychological advantages against athletes accustomed to sport-based environments.

Unpredictable Variables: Environmental conditions, numbers, and mission objectives can alter outcomes significantly.

Aspinall summarizes this well:
“If there are weapons involved, I’ve got no chance – I don’t know what I’m doing.”

The Mental Game: Confidence vs. Reality

One of the most intriguing aspects of this debate lies in the mental preparation of both MMA fighters and SAS soldiers. While soldiers are trained to operate under stress and threat, fighters like Aspinall thrive under pressure from an opponent’s skill and intensity. This mental toughness, combined with technical expertise, can sometimes tip the scales in favor of a seasoned athlete during controlled combat encounters.

Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane

While hypothetical matchups capture fan imagination, Aspinall is focused on tangible challenges, including his upcoming title defense against Ciryl Gane. Scheduled for next month, this bout promises high-level UFC action, pitting two of the division’s best against each other.

Fans are eager to see how Aspinall’s skills and mental resilience translate into championship defense, further cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous humans in MMA today.

MMA Skill, SAS Training, and Hypothetical Combat

Tom Aspinall’s insights into MMA fighters versus SAS soldiers reveal a nuanced understanding of combat dynamics. While the SAS is trained to kill and survive in extreme scenarios, elite MMA fighters bring technical skill, adaptability, and conditioning that could prevail in one-on-one, no-weapons situations.

Historical examples, like Paddy Pimblett’s submissions of Marines, support Aspinall’s theory that top-level fighters hold a significant advantage when rules are stripped away, though real-world combat remains unpredictable.

As fans continue to debate these scenarios, Aspinall’s perspective emphasizes both respect for specialized military training and confidence in MMA skill, making this discussion a fascinating intersection of sports, strategy, and human performance.