Eddie Hearn challenges Dana White to release Tom Aspinall From UFC Contract. The growing rivalry between boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White took another dramatic turn this week after Hearn publicly challenged White to release UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract.
Hearn, who recently signed Aspinall to his Matchroom Talent Agency, made the bold proposal during an interview with IFL TV. The British promoter claimed Aspinall is significantly underpaid and vowed to pay him substantially more if he would be allowed to leave the UFC.
“One thing that’s actually stuck out with me from his comments is when Conor Benn signed with Zuffa, he said, ‘Eddie should want fighters do earn as much as possible,’” Hearn told iFL TV “Right? Do you remember that? ‘He should be happy for Conor Benn, that he’s making more money. So I’ve been thinking about that line, and I think that I’ve got an idea. I would like Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract, and I will guarantee Dana White, in writing, that I will pay Tom Aspinall a minimum – probably five times more – but a minimum of three times more what Dana White is paying him. And I think for a hardworking, working class man that deserves every penny he can get because of what he puts his body through, and we’ve seen that recently, that Dana White should be happy for Tom Aspinall to receive that deal. So I would like to propose that.”
“I would like to propose that Dana White should be happy for Tom Aspinall, who is extremely unhappy, and he should release him of his obligations with the UFC and allow him to go out and make considerably more for himself and his family because that’s what Dana White’s all about, isn’t it? He’d be happy for Tom. So that’s what I would like.”
According to Hearn, he would guarantee Aspinall at least three times his current UFC earnings and potentially as much as five or six times more if Dana White agreed to release the heavyweight champion from his contract. Hearn argued that White has previously stated fighters should be allowed to maximize their earnings and suggested this would be an opportunity to prove that commitment. He also described Aspinall’s current deal as one of the most underpaid contracts he has seen for an athlete of his stature.
The UFC heavyweight champion is currently recovering from eye injuries that forced him out of a scheduled title defense earlier this year. The injury and the UFC’s public handling of the situation led to speculation about friction between Aspinall and the promotion, although Aspinall has previously denied having a serious rift with Dana White. Despite Hearn’s comments, Aspinall remains under UFC contract and there has been no indication that the promotion is willing to release one of its biggest stars, especially the reigning heavyweight champion.
Realistically, the chances of the UFC releasing its heavyweight champion appear extremely slim. Aspinall remains one of the promotion’s most valuable fighters and is expected to return to the Octagon once fully recovered.
