Dana White Reacts as Eddie Hearn Takes Revenge by Signing UFC’s Star Fighter Tom Aspinall

UFC CEO Dana White has no problem with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall's surprising deal with rival Eddie Hearn's promotion.

Dana White Reacts as Eddie Hearn Takes Revenge by Signing UFC’s Star Fighter Tom Aspinall

Dana White reacts to Tom Aspinall's recent deal with Eddie Hearn (via MMA Mania)

In Short
  • Tom Aspinall has signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Talent Agency, intensifying tensions with UFC CEO Dana White.
  • Dana White has largely avoided discussing Aspinall's future and has focused on other UFC developments.
  • Aspinall's deal with Matchroom allows him to remain under UFC contract while expanding his brand outside the octagon.

Tom Aspinall’s relationship with UFC CEO Dana White has remained strained in recent months. White was critical of the eye injury Aspinall suffered at UFC 321, which forced the British champion out of action. Aspinall has publicly pushed back during the period surrounding his recovery. However, he recently made a major move by signing with White’s longtime rival, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency.

The tension between Dana White and the UFC heavyweight champion intensified after Aspinall’s first title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. An accidental eye poke from Gane forced the bout to be stopped and ruled a no-contest. In the aftermath, White indirectly suggested the injury situation may not have been as severe as it appeared, without stating it directly during the post-fight press conference.

White has largely avoided discussing Aspinall’s future in recent months. Instead, the UFC CEO has focused on major developments, including the upcoming UFC White House event and the promotion’s reported $7.7 billion broadcast agreement with Paramount+. During the UFC 326 media press conference, White was asked about Aspinall’s recent deal with Hearn and offered his perspective on the situation.

We don’t have any issues with Eddie. They can get whoever they want to represent them. Tito Ortiz used to represent people and we got it done!

Dana White via UFC 326 media day

The development also comes during an increasingly tense stretch between Hearn and White. The UFC boss recently signed British boxer Conor Benn to his Zuffa Boxing promotion on a reported $15 million single-fight deal. Benn had previously been positioned as one of the leading stars under Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. Aspinall’s deal was viewed as the latest shift in the rivalry between the two promoters.

Hearn has also remained critical of White’s plans to expand further into boxing. The Matchroom chairman has argued that White’s move into the sport is unnecessary and could harm boxing’s existing structure. More recently, Hearn criticized the introduction of the new Zuffa Boxing championship belt. He argued that the move was “cringey,” as a promotion as new as Zuffa Boxing does not need its own title.

Dana White has not taken Hearn’s criticism lightly and has responded publicly. The UFC CEO said he expected stronger resistance from boxing promoters as he moved into the sport. He added that he was surprised to see little pushback from figures such as Eddie Hearn. Against that backdrop, Tom Aspinall’s move to join Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency further links the champion to the ongoing rivalry.

Tom Aspinall outlines his future after advisory deal with Eddie Hearn’s promotion

Tom Aspinall’s deal with Matchroom Talent Agency includes advisory, management, and commercial representation services. The arrangement focuses on expanding the UFC heavyweight champion’s brand outside the octagon. Aspinall also became the first athlete to join the newly launched agency. The agreement allows him to remain under UFC contract while Matchroom oversees his off-cage ventures.

Tom Aspinall and Eddie Hearn
Tom Aspinall and Eddie Hearn (via BBC)

However, Aspinall has remained out of competition since the eye poke he suffered during his title defense at UFC 321. The British champion underwent multiple medical procedures as he worked toward returning to fighting form. His recovery also faced complications that extended his time away from the octagon. Recent comments surrounding his Matchroom deal suggest a return could now be approaching.

Eddie is someone that I have known for a fair bit. I trust Eddie. I want to make as much money and grow as much as commercially possible. Obviously, we are recovering but I am looking to get back in there as soon as possible.

Tom Aspinall via YouTube

Despite the lengthy layoff, the situation around Aspinall’s injury also became part of the wider tension between Eddie Hearn and Dana White. Hearn publicly criticized White’s reaction to the eye injury and claimed the UFC champion was treated unsympathetically in the aftermath. As Tom Aspinall now prepares for a potential return, his new partnership with Matchroom has placed him directly within that dispute.

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