Dana White’s Nemesis Puts UFC on Blast for Tom Aspinall’s ‘Disgraceful’ Contract

The current contract of UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, leaves a lot to be desired according to comments of Eddie Hearn.

Dana White’s Nemesis Puts UFC on Blast for Tom Aspinall’s ‘Disgraceful’ Contract

Eddie Hearn upset by current compensation package of Tom Aspinall (Image via BBC)

In Short
  • Eddie Hearn criticizes Tom Aspinall's UFC contract, calling it a "disgrace."
  • Hearn believes UFC fighters will eventually demand better pay compared to Zuffa Boxing.
  • Tom Aspinall advocates for fair compensation for UFC legends like Jon Jones and Conor McGregor.

Dana White and Eddie Hearn enjoyed a friendly relationship before the UFC CEO entered the boxing scene. White signing Conor Benn from Hearn’s promotion further intensified their ongoing feud. The UK boxing promoter retaliated by becoming the commercial advisor to UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

Fighter compensation in MMA has seen many debates in recent times. Majority of the fan base and retired fighters believe that the UFC was not paying appropriately. Eddie Hearn has joined these discussions by highlighting the $15 million pay day that Conor Benn will earn for his first Zuffa Boxing bout.

The British boxing promoter believes that UFC fighters will eventually get fed up after not getting paid properly whereas Zuffa Boxing combatants will make more money. Moreover, Hearn revealed that the current pay structure was not sufficient for a talent like Tom Aspinall by highlighting the distribution of money.

I’m going to bite my tongue a little bit, for now. But what I will tell you is his contract is a disgrace. Right? A disgrace. I cannot believe the money that he’s on when you look at the commercial revenue that his fight would generate against a Pereira, or against a Gane in a rematch.

Eddie Hearn told Pro Boxing Fans

A rematch against Ciryl Gane or a superfight against Alex Pereira will surely be a highly-anticipated bout among the fans. As such, Hearn wants proper compensation, considering the amount of revenue that will be generated by those aforementioned fights. The promoter also revealed why Aspinall should look out for the most money possible.

Honestly, if I’m Tom Aspinall, I’m looking at that contract, I go, ‘I don’t even think you should bother me.’ By the time you pay your tax and paid your team, there’s no point in even fighting. Especially when you’ve had four operations after your eyes got gouged out.

Eddie Hearn told Pro Boxing Fans

Dana White and the UFC brass recently negotiated a hefty contract with Alex Pereira. ‘Poatan’ said that he was happy with the money to secure his future. Aspinall and Hearn will look for a large increase, considering how the boxing promoter didn’t rate the current contract.

If not, there’s a chance that Aspinall and Hearn will aim to fight out the contract, which has two fights left. With the contract over, a new deal has to be negotiated or Aspinall can make a crossover to boxing. After all, Aspinall’s father wants his son to crossover to boxing to make more money. For now, all parties will stay put until the heavyweight champion returns to the octagon after the nasty eye injury.

Tom Aspinall wants deserved pay for legends like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones

A superfight between Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones got away due to the American fighter declining a $30 million offer at the last moment. Jones revealed that legacy was what mattered to him, and revealed why he rejected the $30 million. He also announced his retirement before coming back to possibly fight at the White House event.

Tom Aspinall supports Conor McGregor and Jon Jones
Tom Aspinall supports Conor McGregor and Jon Jones (Image via MMA Fighting/Pinterest)

However, the promotion didn’t book Jones for the White House event that left a bitter taste in the mouth of the former champion. Soon, ‘Bones’ asked to be released from his contract, which the UFC didn’t respond to. In the middle of all the chatter, Aspinall came out and defended legends like Jones and Conor McGregor, who were not getting what they deserved.

This is probably going to sound crazy to a lot of people listening, but why is the UFC not giving Jon the respect he deserves financially? That’s crazy to me. If anyone should be getting paid a lot in this sport, it should be Jon Jones for the stuff he’s done — and that’s me saying that. If anybody should be getting money in this sport, it’s Jon Jones. We’re talking about Conor McGregor and Jon Jones — those are the guys who’ve brought in revenue for over 10 years. They need to be getting paid what they deserve.

Tom Aspinall via The Ariel Helwani Show

Conor McGregor has also found himself getting snubbed by the UFC for various events. He wanted to fight on the UFC 300 card, but that didn’t materialize. They also snubbed McGregor from the White House event as well. This has left fans and some fighters a bit disappointed, but Aspinall want the promotion to honor the legends who brought in all the revenue.

Advocating out loud for Jones and McGregor might not put Aspinall in a favorable light with the UFC. Having Eddie Hearn as his advisor will likely bring a long battle about the pay check as well. It remains to be seen if Tom Aspinall can change his fortunes and become a valuable part of the promotion.

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