A MARTIAL ARTS champion is appealing for a century … but not in a scoring system.
Instead, Tom Aspinall wants to find 100 people from the greater Reading area to try his sport, and help raise funds for charities that support people with autism.
The 30-year-old is the current UK interim heavyweight champion in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), and is backing Ultra MMA, an organisation offering novices the chance to try their hand at the fast-growing sport, for free.
The Reading date is Sunday, July 7, and will take place in Henley Leisure Centre in Gillott’s Lane, Henley. By signing up, participants will receive eight weeks free training before experiencing their own ‘fight night’ in a cage before a huge crowd. They must pledge to raise at least £50 for an autism charity of their choice.
So far, more than 10,000 people have already taken part, raising more than £2.5m for charity.
Tom, a dad of three, says he wants to do everything he can to help families who are waiting on a diagnosis to enable them to get their child the help and support they need – and it’s personal for him after his four-year-old son received a diagnosis last year.
He is a twin and was born six months before the covid pandemic hit. When it became obvious the youngster wasn’t hitting the milestones that other children his age were, Tom says he initially blamed it on lockdown and lack of socialisation.
“I was in denial really. The twins had not really been out of the house and seeing anyone else except for our parents once the pandemic hit. I just thought ‘when the world reopens again it will all be ok’,” he said.
Tom has comedian Paddy McGuiness to thank for helping him spot signs his son might be autistic, after watching a documentary the TV presenter made about his three autistic children.
“As I watched the programme it dawned on me that there were a lot of similarities. He spoke about symptoms, and it just struck me how some of the things he was describing about his children were very familiar,” Tom said.
By coincidence a few weeks later the pair met on a talk show where McGuiness gave Tom his best piece of advice – see an expert as quickly as possible.
Tom said: “I told him how we were already on the waiting list, but the reality is the wait is two or three years. This is the point when you’re in this no-man’s-land, knowing that there is something wrong with your child but being unable to get help that is needed.
“You are left just guessing and that’s tough going. Throw into the mix that you have other young children to take care of, it is very stressful.”
He added: “Paddy kindly gave me a number for an expert, and we were in the lucky position of having the money to go private. We got a diagnosis quickly and immediately started to get him the help and support he needs. He’s now thriving.
“But not everyone is that fortunate and I really believe that there needs to be more done to help families and to make it easier and quicker for children to be diagnosed.”
Tom continued: “Each and every year more and more kids are being diagnosed with autism and I want to shed more light on this condition; raise more awareness as well as do what I can to help those organisations who provide support and care for youngsters with autism.
“It has such a wide-ranging spectrum that touches families in so many different ways.”
Tom, currently 12th in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, has been a keen fan and supporter of Ultra MMA for the past three years, attending multiple events every year as a spectator.
It was a conversation with his dad Andy, that led to the idea of partnering with Ultra MMA and challenging 100 novices to support autism charities throughout the UK.
He said: “We put the suggestion to Ultra MMA and I’m really pleased we are getting it off the ground.
“The events are really good – smooth, well run and just a really nice occasion to be at. I have been going for a few years now and I am always surprised by, and in awe of, the type of people willing to go out there and put themselves on the line in the name of charity.
“If I’m honest, I thought it would only attract a certain type of person – the guys aged 18-30 – but I couldn’t have been more wrong. There are people of all ages, shapes and sizes driven by all sorts of personal reasons.
“I’ve seen 50-year-old women who get really stuck into the training and then fight each other in front of a crowd. It’s incredible.”
Talking about his challenge, Tom, who lives in Manchester, said: “I’m looking for 100 people who are prepared to be brave, confident, and most importantly who are up for throwing themselves into something for a couple of months that will ultimately give them a buzz like no other experience I can think of.
“The best advice I can give anyone thinking of signing up is they will have an incredible time, but this is a sport that must be part of your everyday life; you have to be committed. It’s not something you can do half-hearted – you have to be all in with MMA, really dedicate yourself.”
Tom is hoping the event will help not one good cause, but many.
“I don’t want to single one charity out as a beneficiary as there are so many organisations doing such important things, both on a national level but also really localised in their communities,” he said.
“I’m excited to see how quickly we can get those 100 people signed up, knowing the difference it could make to children like my son.
“While I can’t attend all 60 planned events, I’ll definitely be turning out to more Ultra MMA nights this year and hope to see some of these amazing people having the night of their lives.”
For more details, or to sign up, log on to: https://www.ultra-mma.co.uk/events/
