Agent Hearn demands 3–5 times current pay; speculation mounts over whether move is genuine; eye injury snub fuels resentment

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (right) and his agent, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn [Getty Images]
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (right) and his agent, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn [Getty Images]

The agency representing UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has publicly called for the British fighter's contract to be released.

The demand follows MVP MMA — a self-styled UFC rival — successfully staging its debut event on Netflix last month, adding weight to speculation about what the move could mean.

Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Talent Agency, which manages Aspinall, told British boxing channel iFL TV in a recent interview that he wants UFC president Dana White to release the 33-year-old from his contract. "I can guarantee that I could get him three to five times what he's currently earning," Hearn said.

Hearn added that White should welcome Aspinall securing a better deal. "He should be happy for Aspinall to get a great contract," he said. "He should help him earn more money for himself and his family — Aspinall is in a very unhappy deal with the UFC."

Hearn and White are well-known rivals who have publicly traded barbs to the point of discussing a sparring match. Their feud deepened in February when White's newly launched boxing promotion poached Conor Benn, a marquee name at Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.

Hearn was blunt in his criticism of the UFC. "Unfortunately, he signed one of the most outrageously underpaid contracts I have ever seen in sport," he said. "What they pay him is absolutely disgusting. Something needs to change."

Opinions are divided on what Hearn's remarks actually signal. One reading is that he is laying the groundwork for Aspinall to move to a rival organization.

Last month, MVP — the promotion launched by boxing influencer Jake Paul — drew wide attention when it streamed on Netflix. The organization has recruited a string of former UFC fighters including Francis Ngannou, Junior dos Santos and Ronda Rousey, and has been openly courting current UFC talent as well.

The second-tier major promotion PFL remains active, and former Bellator president Scott Coker has officially announced plans to launch a new organization next year — meaning Aspinall would have no shortage of options if he were to leave.

Aspinall himself has genuine grievances with the UFC. At UFC 321 last October, his first title defense against Ciryl Gane was stopped and ruled a no-contest after Gane's fingers struck both of Aspinall's eyes. White publicly lamented the stoppage but offered no words of comfort to Aspinall, the victim of the foul.

Aspinall's decision earlier this year to sign with Hearn — White's well-known adversary — is widely seen as a reflection of that resentment. Should Aspinall leave the UFC, observers warn it could deepen the already fragile state of the heavyweight division.

Aspinall has focused entirely on treatment and recovery and is expected to resume contact sparring in the second half of this year on his medical team's advice. He could return to the octagon as early as the first half of next year for a title defense. His opponent would be the winner of the Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane bout scheduled for the UFC's White House event on June 14.


yjc@heraldcorp.com