EXCLUSIVE
I spar Tom Aspinall and Stipe Miocic KO’d me – but no one hits harder than ‘The Mauler’
Phil De Fries has named the hardest-hitting opponent he’s ever faced.
The KSW heavyweight champion is currently riding a 13-fight win streak, but his career wasn’t always so smooth as he suffered six defeats, including five knockouts, during his rise to the top.
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Former two-time heavyweight titleholder Stipe Miocic famously spoiled his undefeated record with a 43-second KO when they fought in the UFC 12 years ago.
Matt Mitrione and Todd Duffee finished him in similarly quick fashion in MMA’s premier promotion before two others did the same thing when he left the UFC.
However, De Fries insists the hardest punch he’s ever taken was in the gym.
Surprisingly, he says a light-heavyweight hit harder than all 32 of his heavyweight opponents – but it was three-time UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson swinging punches at him.
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"Gustafsson knocked me out in the gym before,” De Fries told .
“He was very difficult. We always used to go to war back then.
“It was silly. We would always try to kill each other.
“But he hit really, really, really hard.”
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De Fries went on to point out that his most talented opponent was also someone he faced in the gym, rather than a fighter he’s traded blows with in the cage.
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has created something of a heavyweight super camp in the north of England – even Francis Ngannou’s coach is envious of it.
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More than 10 heavyweights can be on the mat at one time at his gym in St Helens, and De Fries is feeling the benefits of mixing it was a bunch of elite fighters his size.
Although, the 38-year-old admits it’s not easy training with Aspinall.
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De Fries added: “Without a doubt, the most talented person I’ve ever been on a mat with is Tom.
“He’s a league above. He could be hitting you hard, but he is nice, and he’s fast and he’s accurate.
“I’m quite glad Tom is nice.”
Aspinall, with De Fries in his corner, will attempt to defend his belt when he takes on Curtis Blaydes in a rematch at UFC 304 in Manchester on July 27.
The two men first met in July 2022. On that occasion, their fight ended inconclusively after 15 seconds as Aspinall suffered a devastating knee injury and technically suffered a TKO defeat.
A win for either man this weekend will put them in line for a unification fight with Jon Jones, provided he gets through a legacy bout with Miocic, which is rumoured to be taking place in November.
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