UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has signed a commercial and advisory deal with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn's new Matchroom Talent Agency. The agreement focuses on managing Aspinall's brand and career outside of promotions, while he remains contracted to the UFC. This move comes amid ongoing tensions between Hearn and UFC president Dana White.
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, a 32-year-old Englishman known for his dominance in the division with seven first-round finishes in eight UFC wins, announced on March 5, 2026, that he has joined Eddie Hearn's newly launched Matchroom Talent Agency. The deal is described as commercial and advisory, aimed at nurturing Aspinall's career by managing his brand and building his reputation, but it does not involve promotional rights, as Aspinall stays signed to the UFC.
The signing follows Conor Benn's departure from Hearn's Matchroom Boxing to Dana White's Zuffa Boxing two weeks earlier, intensifying a public feud between Hearn, 46, and White. Hearn has accused White of humiliating Aspinall after an October 2025 title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in a no-contest due to repeated eye pokes, forcing Aspinall to undergo double eye surgery in February 2026. Aspinall's return to the octagon remains uncertain.
Aspinall expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "Eddie has built one of the biggest brands in sport and understands how to take athletes to the next level, both inside and outside of competition. I'm really looking forward to working together and exploring some exciting opportunities as I continue my journey back into the cage." Hearn praised Aspinall as the first client, saying, "We believe in creating opportunities where others see obstacles. Tom Aspinall is the perfect embodiment of that."
Dana White addressed the deal at the UFC 326 press conference, indicating no concerns: "We don’t have any issues with Eddie. They can get whoever they want to represent them." White also admitted needing to speak with Aspinall to resolve tensions from the UFC 321 fallout, where he had commented that Aspinall "didn’t want to continue" the fight, a remark Aspinall disputed. White affirmed his respect for Aspinall and belief in his return to fighting.
This arrangement highlights contrasts in fighter management between UFC and boxing, where purses can differ significantly, though Aspinall's UFC contract restricts pursuits in other combat sports without permission.
