Eddie Hearn Pleads with White to Release Aspinall

Eddie Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White have been locked in a war of words for several months, a battle which began in late January when White's venture into the world of pugilism, Zuffa Boxing, launched with a Friday night card on Paramount Plus. In the months that followed, Zuffa Boxing has moved into its now-customary Sunday evening time slot.

Not long after Zuffa Boxing held its first few cards, the promotion signed Conor Benn, formerly of Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. Benn's contract called for a single match with a price tag of $15 million (USD,) soon amended to cover multiple contests.  In early March, Hearn launched his newest endeavor, Matchroom Sport Agency.

Current UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall (15-3, 1 NC MMA, 8-1, 1 NC UFC) was announced as Matchroom Sport Agency's initial client on March 5. 

"It has become a guiding principle to seek out people who are humble but heroic in equal measure," Eddie Hearn said in March. "Their journey is our journey. Their triumph, our triumph."

Eddie Hearn Appears on IFL TV to Discuss Zuffa Boxing, Conor Benn

Eddie Hearn's client Tom Aspinall has been on hiatus from competition since October of last year after being on the receiving end of an eye poke during the UFC 321 main event from Ciryl Gane (13-2, 1 NC MMA, 10-2, 1 NC UFC.) On Friday, Hearn appeared as a guest of IFL TV to discuss a variety of topics.

After delivering a monologue on Dana White and the quality of fights that Zuffa Boxing has put on over the first five months of 2026, he turned his focus to former Matchroom fighter Conor Benn.

"You know, one thing that's actually stuck out with me from his comments is when Conor Benn signed with Zuffa, he said 'Eddie should want his fighters to earn as much money as possiible, right? Do you remember that?," Eddie Hearn began. "It was like 'He should be happy for Conor Benn that he's making more money.'"

 

Eddie Hearn Requests Dana White Free Tom Aspinall from Current Deal

Although no date has been set for Tom Aspinall's next fight, Eddie Hearn mentioned that he'd like to see Tom Aspinall be paid fairly in the future. In the IFL TV interview, Hearn outlined what he believes should happen.

"I think that I've got an idea," he said. "I would like Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract, and I will guarantee Dana White, in writing, that I will pay Tom Aspinall a minimum, probably five times more, but a minimum of three times more what Dana White is paying him."

From there, Hearn gave his client plaudit while continuing to bargain with Dana White.

"I think for a hard-working, working-class man that deserves every penny he can get because of what he puts his body through, and we've seen that recently, that Dana White should be happy for Tom Aspinall to receive that deal," he mentioned.

Eddie Hearn Believes Tom Aspinall Should Get What He Deserves

Hearn says that if Dana White isn't willing to pay him an equitable sum of money, his client should be able to pursue other opportunities in free agency.

"I would like to propose that Dana White should be happy for Tom Aspinall, who is extremely unhappy, and he should release him of his obligations with the UFC and allow him to go out and make considerably more for himself and his family," he continued. "That's what Dana White is all about, isn't it?" 

Hearn mentioned that the economics of Tom Aspinall's current UFC deal aren't working in his favor.

"Unfortunately for him, he has signed a contract which is one of the worst, most grossly-underpaid athletes I have ever seen in the commercial world of sport. I think it's only fair, because Dana likes to see fighters get their opportunity and make as much money as possible, like he said, that he should actually allow Tom to do so."