MMA doesn’t just teach athletes how to fight — it also instills values like brotherhood and loyalty toward teammates. This was evident a few years ago when Merab Dvalishvili firmly ruled out any chance of facing his close friend and training partner Aljamain Sterling, saying, “Aljo’s my friend and my brother.” It wasn’t the first time a fighter refused to face a teammate. Years earlier, Nate Diaz described the idea as “disgusting.”

Yet the fight game remains an unforgiving business. For the UFC and its CEO, it’s all part of the sport’s grind — and Dana White has made it clear that he doesn’t favor fighters turning down matchups for personal reasons, calling it a “really bad idea.” Despite this, such situations continue to surface, with fighters occasionally stepping aside or shifting weight classes to avoid facing their teammates. The latest example comes from reigning UFC heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall, who recently weighed in on the topic.

Tom Aspinall threatens to leave the belt after UFC 321

Recently, Tom Aspinall appeared on the ShxtsNGigs podcast ahead of his first title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. During the discussion, the Brit sent a clear message to Dana White, stating he has no intention of fighting his teammate and former PFL champion Ante Delija, whom he described as “genuine friends,” as Delija rapidly rises through the UFC heavyweight ranks.

“My friend and training partner [Ante Delija] just got to the UFC,” Tom Aspinall confirms, “and just beat a guy in the Top 10, so he’s potentially 2-3 wins away from a title shot… So the thing is, if I never won a title, I never touched gold before, we’d have to fight. Because that was my dream. But now that I’ve done it, I’d vacate, and he could have his time.”

Ante Delija finally made his UFC debut earlier this summer, facing Marcin Tybura in a rematch at UFC Paris. He quickly put an end to the contest with a first-round knockout that highlighted his striking power and precision. Behind the scenes, Tom Aspinall’s father, Andy Aspinall, played a key role in preparing Delija for the fight. The Englishman reiterated his stance on facing his teammate: “I wouldn’t fight him. No chance. He’s one of my genuine friends, and some things are more important to me than money and titles.” This wasn’t Delija’s first brush with the UFC.

Back in October 2020, the UFC had slated him to debut against Ciryl Gane in Abu Dhabi. However, his PFL commitments kept him inactive, delaying his entrance and putting his UFC ambitions on hold. Now, following Tom Aspinall’s UFC 321 fight, Delija is set to return at UFC Apex on November 1 at UFC Vegas 110, where he will face sixth-ranked heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta. A win in that bout could propel the Croatian contender closer to title contention. And as Aspinall talked about their close bonding, Ante Delija’s comments after his UFC debut truly reflect that.

Ante Delija credits Tom Aspinall and his father for support after UFC debut

Earlier this year, the UFC promoted Tom Aspinall to heavyweight champion after Jon Jones vacated the division, following repeated delays in facing then-interim champion Aspinall. With Jones out of the picture, the UFC is now focused on strengthening its heavyweight roster, starting with Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida. Into this growing spotlight steps Ante Delija.

Ante Delija had long aspired to compete in the UFC, but his first attempt, five years ago, fell short. Now, at 35, he finally made his debut, leaving no doubt about his abilities with a decisive win over Marcin Tybura. The victory represented more than just a win—it was a moment of redemption. A decade earlier, Tybura had inflicted an injury that sidelined the Croatian star for three years, making this triumph even more significant.

Following his UFC debut and earning Performance of the Night honors, an emotional Delija took a moment to express his gratitude, acknowledging Tom Aspinall and his father Andy Aspinall, who coaches at Aspinall BJJ: “Thank you, French. Thank you, my friends who come here to support me. Thank you for family, Aspinall, thank you, Andy, Tom,”  Delija said in his post-fight interview.

With his striking and power already on display, fans are left wondering about Delija’s trajectory in the heavyweight division. Could the rising star take on Tom Aspinall and come out on top? Share your predictions below.