Tom Aspinall Says Conor McGregor Sent Him Threats After He Admitted He’s ‘Not Interested’ in Watching Conor Fight Again

In a shocking revelation that’s stirred up the MMA world, UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has claimed that Conor McGregor sent him threatening messages after the Englishman admitted he wasn’t particularly interested in watching McGregor fight again.

Aspinall, known for his calm demeanor and straightforward honesty, made the remark during an interview where he was asked about McGregor’s long-awaited comeback. His answer was refreshingly candid — and apparently, not something the former two-division champ appreciated.

“I said I wasn’t interested in watching him fight anymore,” Aspinall explained. “And next thing you know, I get these threatening messages from Conor himself. It was a bit wild, to be honest.”

Aspinall’s Honest Take Turns Into a Feud

The incident began innocently enough. During a Q&A session on social media, Tom Aspinall was asked whether he was excited for McGregor’s rumored UFC return against Michael Chandler — a fight that’s been delayed multiple times.

Aspinall, who’s earned a reputation for being blunt but respectful, responded that he wasn’t particularly interested in the matchup, citing fatigue with McGregor’s out-of-cage antics.

“I’ve seen enough of Conor talking, tweeting, and hyping. I want to see fighting — not headlines,” Aspinall said. “If he fights, good for him. But I’m not staying up all night to watch it.”

The response went viral among MMA fans — some applauding Aspinall’s honesty, others criticizing him for disrespecting one of the sport’s biggest stars. Within hours, Aspinall claimed he received direct messages from McGregor that were “angry and threatening.”

Though Aspinall hasn’t revealed the exact content of the messages, he did say they caught him off guard.

“I didn’t even say anything nasty,” Aspinall told reporters later. “It wasn’t like I was trashing him. I just said I wasn’t that interested. But Conor took it personally, I guess.”

Conor’s Online Persona: Fame, Fury, and Firestorms

Conor McGregor has never shied away from conflict — inside or outside the Octagon. Over the years, the Irish superstar has built a reputation for clapping back at critics, whether they’re fighters, journalists, or even fans.

His social media outbursts are legendary: feuding with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier, and most recently, USADA officials. So, for many fans, it’s not surprising that McGregor might respond aggressively to a perceived slight.

But this time, the difference lies in the target. Tom Aspinall isn’t a rival in McGregor’s division. He’s not angling for a fight or chasing headlines — he’s a heavyweight champion who rarely gets caught up in drama. That makes the situation more unusual and, in the eyes of many fans, unnecessary.

“Why is Conor threatening a heavyweight?” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He can’t even make 155 these days.”

Another replied: “Tom just said what a lot of us think — we’re tired of the talk. If that triggers Conor, that’s on him.”

Aspinall’s Calm Response: ‘I’m Not Bothered’

Despite the controversy, Aspinall has refused to escalate the situation. He addressed the matter in his typically composed fashion, saying he found McGregor’s reaction more amusing than intimidating.

“Look, I’m a fan of what Conor did for the sport. He changed MMA forever,” Aspinall said. “But right now, I’m focused on fighting top heavyweights — not trading DMs with him. I’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

The 31-year-old Brit has quickly become one of the most respected figures in the UFC. Known for his humility, humor, and devastating knockout power, Aspinall has become a fan favorite in a division long dominated by American stars. His authenticity — the very trait that got him in trouble with McGregor — is also what endears him to audiences.

“Tom says what he thinks, and that’s why people love him,” said one commentator on the MMA Hour. “He’s not fake. He doesn’t chase clout. He just wants to fight.”

McGregor’s Status: Superstar or Spectacle?

McGregor’s comeback has been one of the most discussed topics in combat sports this year. After suffering a devastating leg injury in 2021 and spending nearly three years away from competition, the Irishman insists he’s ready to return.

Yet doubts remain. Multiple fight announcements have fallen through, drug-testing controversies have clouded his status, and fans have grown frustrated by constant social media drama with little action inside the cage.

That’s exactly the fatigue Aspinall voiced — a sentiment many fans share but few fighters dare to say publicly.

“People used to tune in because Conor was must-watch,” one MMA analyst said. “Now, they tune in hoping he actually shows up. That’s the difference.”

For a sport built on respect and legacy, McGregor’s celebrity persona has increasingly overshadowed his fighting career — and that tension lies at the heart of this new feud.

The Fans React: Split Opinions Everywhere

As the story spread, MMA forums and Reddit threads lit up with debate. Some fans sided with Aspinall, praising him for saying what others were thinking. Others defended McGregor, arguing that he’s earned the right to react however he wants after building the sport’s biggest brand.

“Conor’s still the biggest name in MMA. He’s not going to let anyone disrespect him — even unintentionally,” wrote one user.

“Yeah, but Tom wasn’t disrespecting him,” another replied. “He just said he’s not interested. Not everyone has to worship Conor.”

The clash of opinions reflects a deeper divide within the MMA fanbase — between those who value star power and those who crave pure sporting competition.

Aspinall Moves On — McGregor Doesn’t

While Tom Aspinall is preparing for his next heavyweight defense — potentially against Jon Jones or Stipe Miocic — McGregor remains out of the Octagon, his comeback date still uncertain.

When asked if he’d respond to McGregor or address the messages further, Aspinall simply laughed.

“Nah, I’m not interested in a Twitter war,” he said. “If Conor wants to threaten me, that’s his problem. I’m not losing sleep over it. I’ve got training to do.”

For Aspinall, the situation might already be over. For McGregor, though, the narrative continues — another chapter in a long-running saga of controversy, bravado, and confrontation.

The Bigger Picture: Respect in MMA

This dust-up between a quiet champion and a global superstar highlights a familiar dynamic in modern MMA — the balance between authenticity and showmanship. Fighters like Aspinall represent the sport’s purist roots: respect, skill, and humility. McGregor, on the other hand, embodies the entertainment era — where attention and personality often matter as much as performance.

Neither side is wrong, but together, they show how much the sport has evolved.

As one fan summed it up perfectly online:

“Tom fights for respect. Conor fights for relevance. Both are legends in their own ways.”