Eddie Hearn Calls for UFC Contract Reevaluation Before Tom Aspinall’s Return

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champion, and Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport, share a handshake at Battersea Power Station on March 06, 2026, in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Eddie Hearn is reiterating his stance on the compensation for UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, demanding that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) reevaluate its financial terms. As of March, Aspinall has joined Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, one of the leading names in combat sports management. Hearn’s partnership with Aspinall follows a contentious boxing deal involving Dana White and Conor Benn, yet it leaves Aspinall in a position to potentially earn unprecedented sums if the UFC is amenable to adjustments.

Hearn has now decided to postpone Aspinall’s anticipated return to the Octagon. He intends to negotiate with UFC officials regarding Aspinall’s existing contract before any fight plans can be solidified. The promoter has labeled Aspinall's current pay as “outrageous,” particularly given his status as the heavyweight champion.

Aspinall is lined up to face the winner of the upcoming matchup between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, scheduled for the UFC White House card later this month. However, Hearn is adamant that Aspinall should not enter the ring under his current financial terms. “They’ve got to be careful because at the end of the day I’m not going to let Tom Aspinall fight for the kind of money that he’s on,” Hearn stated in a recent interview with Bloody Elbow.

He expressed concern over the disparity in earnings for fighters, emphasizing, “To be involved in a fight against [Alex] Pereira or [Ciryl] Gane for literally one fiftieth of the revenue for that show? F— that, I won’t let him do it.” Hearn believes that UFC fighters need to recognize their value and not be exploited, especially as the promotion is willing to pay boxers significantly more.

Hearn concluded with a stern warning for Aspinall, advocating that he should not accept the fight under the current contract. “He’s one of the biggest stars in the UFC,” Hearn remarked, stressing the importance of fair compensation, especially considering Aspinall’s health struggles, which include multiple eye surgeries. “It’s not fair. We’re not trying to be unreasonable but my advice to him is ‘mate, you don’t need that, you nearly lost your eyesight.’”