Eddie Hearn Rips UFC Over Sean O’Malley’s $600K White House Payday: ‘Grow Some Balls’

Sean O'Malley produced one of the standout knockouts of UFC Freedom 250. Competing on the South Lawn of the White House, the former bantamweight champion delivered a walk-off finish over Aiemann Zahabi, saluted the crowd, and became one of four Americans to emerge victorious on the seven-fight main card. 

Yet days after the event, attention shifted away from the knockout itself and toward what O'Malley says he earned for the performance. The revelation quickly reignited the long-running debate surrounding fighter compensation in the UFC, with Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn emerging as one of the loudest critics.

Eddie Hearn Says Sean O'Malley Deserves Far More than $600,000

According to 'Suga,' his purse for the White House card totaled roughly $600,000, a figure he admitted was disappointing given the event's magnitude. Hearn, the British boxing promoter, meanwhile, used O'Malley's payout as a perfect example of what he believes is a massive disparity affecting top-ranked UFC athletes.

Hearn, who recently became manager to UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and has also signed Ian Machado Garry to his Matchroom Talent Agency, did not hold back while discussing O'Malley's disclosed earnings during an appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show."

The 47-year-old promoter was stunned that a fighter with O'Malley's profile reportedly earned less than $600,000 for competing at one of the UFC's most heavily publicized events, stating, 

"I saw the Sean O'Malley stuff yesterday," Hearn said. "You've literally got guys making more for an eight-round fight against a guy that I would beat than Sean O'Malley fighting at the White House."

He went further, arguing that many UFC fighters have become resigned to accepting the terms presented to them because they fear being sidelined if they push back. "It just doesn't make sense," he added. "Sean O'Malley is a superstar. The guy's a phenomenal fighter. Sean O'Malley could walk around New York City and get mobbed."

His sharpest remarks came when addressing fighters directly - "You need to grow some balls, and you need to start fighting for what's right for you and your career and making sure you're respected for putting your life and health on the line when you step in the Octagon."  

Sean O'Malley's Comments Reignite UFC Fighter Pay Debate

O'Malley himself did not appear angry while discussing his payout, but he acknowledged feeling underwhelmed by the number. "It definitely sucks," the 31-year-old admitted, noting that his previous bout against Song Yadong paid significantly less than title fights and that the White House appearance ended up being "around the same."

In hindsight, the timing of Hearn's comments is noteworthy. Since launching deeper into MMA representation, he has become increasingly vocal about the UFC's compensation model. 

Eddie Hearn Hoping to Strengthen Relationships with MMA Fighters

In fact, Aspinall's recent agreement with Matchroom and Garry's decision to partner with Hearn outside of his UFC commitments suggest the promoter is looking to establish a stronger foothold in the sport, in what appears to be a counter to Dana White's boxing ambitions through Zuffa Boxing. 

In recent weeks, the Matchroom chairman has become increasingly vocal about fighter compensation, particularly after signing Aspinall and welterweight contender Garry to his talent agency.

He recently pushed back against former middleweight champion Michael Bisping's comments regarding Aspinall's lengthy recovery from an eye injury, accusing the UFC analyst of defending a system that undervalues its athletes.

Hearn argued fighters are "the talent" and "the reason this organization is what it is," insisting they deserve a larger share of the revenue they help generate.

Whether fighters agree with Hearn's blunt assessment or not, O'Malley's disclosed payday has once again brought one of MMA's most contentious topics back into the spotlight. For critics of the UFC's pay structure, a former champion earning approximately $600,000 after competing at a historic White House event only strengthens the argument that some of the promotion's biggest stars remain underpaid.