Eddie Hearn has signed UFC Heavyweight Tom Aspinall to represent him in his MMA career. This means that Dana White’s UFC will have to negotiate with Aspinall for fights.
The calculated move for Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency signing Aspinall reflects an escalation in a war with Dana White. White’s Zuffa Boxing signed Conor Benn, who was promoted by Hearn, to a one-fight $15 million deal. White has bragged about how easy it has been to “takeover” boxing in such a short period of time. This move seems to punch back at White’s MMA company.
“I’m really excited to welcome Eddie [Hearn] and the Matchroom Sport group in a commercial and advisory role, and to become the first athlete to join the new Matchroom Talent Agency,” said Aspinall in a prepared statement.
Aspinall is coming off an eye injury in his last fight against Ciryl Gane in October 2025. A timetable to return has not been set although one might infer that this signing may mean he’s closer to a return.
Payout Perspective:
The signing is key because the heavyweight division in the UFC is non-existent at this point. It will also escalate an “arms” race of sorts. Certainly White does not like getting “one-upped” and will likely retaliate with something. But, it means that Hearn will be in UFC business and if they “freeze out” Aspinall from fighting once he’s healthy, Eddie will make sure he tells the press. MPO will continue to follow.
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