By any measure—fashion, fight game, or sheer northern grit—Tom Aspinall isn’t here to play dress-up. The UFC heavyweight champion has just stepped into the sartorial octagon with Champion, the heritage American sportswear brand that once warmed up college quarterbacks and is now doing the same for combat kings. The result? A fashion collaboration that’s as grounded in legacy as it is swinging for the future.
Warehouse Grit Meets Runway Swagger
This launch didn’t unfold under a chandelier in Mayfair, nor did it rely on CGI flash or influencer fluff. No, the setting was raw, unfiltered—think industrial walls, the low thud of bass-heavy beats, and the unmistakable smell of ambition in the air.
The vibe? Somewhere between a backstage fight camp and a stripped-down fashion week set. And that’s the point: this isn’t fashion about fighting. It’s fashion for fighters.
Aspinall strolled in—not with Hollywood flash, but with the self-assured cool of a man who’s starched enough canvas to know who he is. The cameras weren’t there for a glow-up. They were there because, suddenly, the line between functional kit and cultural capital has blurred—and Champion’s banking on the fact that its new partner has knockout appeal in both arenas.
The Mancunian Titan’s Moment
Tom Aspinall isn’t your average gym bro who stumbled into a modelling gig. He’s the real deal—Wigan-born, Salford-schooled, with a record as clean as his fade.
In the ring, he’s fast, technical, and terrifying. Out of it, he’s affable and absurdly likeable, the kind of man who could sell you a hoodie and knock your teeth out, in either order.
His new campaign, aptly named HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION, is a tip of the hat to his division and his demeanour. As Aspinall puts it, “I’ve always said I believe I can transcend the sport into the mainstream. And we’re not just creating gear—we’re making apparel that works for fighters and inspires the next generation.”
And he’s not wrong. With fashion so often obsessed with wafer-thin waists and ironic tailoring, seeing a 6’5” slab of British brawn turn heads in tonal streetwear feels like a long-overdue swing of the cultural pendulum.
Champion’s Revival Tour
Let’s not forget: Champion isn’t new to this game. Born in 1919, it’s the OG of performance wear—the brand that literally invented the hoodie and made mesh jerseys cool before TikTok turned gym shorts into clubwear.
But while it once draped the backs of gridiron heroes, it spent a few decades in the fashion wilderness before Gen Z dusted it off and made it retro-cool again.
This partnership with Aspinall isn’t just clever—it’s strategic. By anchoring its future in real sport rather than nostalgia, Champion is sending a clear message: legacy matters, but legacy without relevance is just a museum piece. And Tom? He’s living proof that you can respect the past while reshaping the future.
Fit Check: Built for Battle, Styled for the Street
So, what’s in the ring-ready wardrobe? The HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION capsule leans hard into Champion’s signature Reverse Weave hoodie—reimagined here with sharper silhouettes, heavyweight fabric, and enough mood to fill the MEN Arena.
There’s performance gear designed for training camps and post-fight pizza, tonal palettes that scream understated menace, and an embroidered timestamp—00.02.02—marking the average length of Tom’s fights (blink and you’ll miss it).
If you’re after rhinestones and runway theatrics, look elsewhere. But if you want gear that feels built to last—like Aspinall himself—this line doesn’t miss.
“We’re incredibly excited to announce our long-term partnership with Tom and Team Aspinall. Champion has a proud heritage that stretches back generations, and in Tom, we’ve found not only an elite athlete at the top of his game, but a truly exceptional human being.” said Lorenzo Moretti, Champion EMEA President.
“His values, professionalism, and ability to inspire those around him perfectly reflect what Champion stands for. We’ve been thoroughly impressed by Tom and his team from day one, and we look forward to working closely together to shape the future of combat product for Champion — developing next-generation training apparel and equipment informed by the insights of the best athletes in the sport.”
Final Punch
Champion didn’t just sign a fighter. They signed a force. This collab is more than merch—it’s a muscle-clad manifesto. In an age of style over substance, Tom Aspinall just showed up wearing both.
Verdict: This one’s a knockout. Learn more at championstore.com.
