Old footage shows Tom Aspinall has always been a knockout merchant.

In 2014, long before he was a UFC champion, Aspinall was working his way through the ranks of amateur MMA where he amassed an impressive 6-0 record before turning pro.

Aspinall is widely regarded as the best heavyweight in MMA todayInstagram – UFC

In his fifth fight, ‘The Honey Badger’ squared off against fellow prospect Tom Bankevic in a fight for the Full Contact Contender [FCC] heavyweight title at FCC 9 in Bolton.

Footage from the fight shows Aspinall looking like he does in the UFC.

The 31-year-old was much younger, missing his signature goatee and sporting a skinhead – but dispatched his opponent in typically quick fashion.

Aspinall caught Bankevic with a massive punch after 12 seconds.

It sent his rival, who hasn’t fought since 2015, crashing face-first to the floor.

Bankevic was done. Still, Aspinall followed him to the mat and uncorked several ground strikes before the referee waved off the fight two seconds later.

The Englishman looked delighted to have claimed his first MMA championship – but he tried to contain his celebrations because Bankevic didn’t immediately get up.

Thankfully, he eventually did and both men continued their careers in combat sports.

After one more amateur win, Aspinall decided to test himself in the pros.

Three victories later, he got his first taste of defeat when Stuart Austin secured a heel hook submission, which remains the only legitimate loss on Aspinall’s record.

A baby-faced Aspinall won his first MMA title 10 years agoFCC: Full Contact Contender – YouTube

The UFC star was just as ruthless back thenFCC: Full Contact Contender – YouTube

The UFC superstar suffered his second loss when he was disqualified for throwing the same illegal elbow that cost Jon Jones his undefeated record and is set to be legalised in the coming months.

In 2020, he was snapped up by Dana White and quickly became one of the heavyweight division’s hottest prospects by quickly stopping five consecutive opponents, including Alexander Volkov.

A devastating knee injury led to his only loss inside the UFC Octagon when he fought Curtis Blaydes in 2022.

Since then, Aspinall has fully recovered, claimed the interim heavyweight title and avenged his defeat to Blaydes by KO’ing him in 60 seconds.

He’ll be the backup fighter when Jones defends the proper heavyweight title against the former two-time champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in New York on November 16.

White insists the winner will face Aspinall to unify the division in 2025.

However, both Jones and Miocic are thought to be contemplating retirement.

So, Aspinall might have to KO someone else when he returns to the Octagon next year.