Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has publicly urged UFC president Dana White to release heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract, claiming the British star could earn significantly more money outside the promotion.
Aspinall, 33, joined Hearn’s talent management agency under a commercial and advisory agreement in March. The Manchester fighter has established himself as one of the UFC’s leading heavyweight attractions, recording seven first-round finishes in eight victories inside the Octagon.
Hearn said he would be willing to guarantee Aspinall substantially higher earnings if the UFC agreed to let him leave. While he did not specify whether those opportunities would come in boxing or mixed martial arts, he insisted the financial rewards would far exceed Aspinall’s current deal.
The Matchroom chairman also tied the proposal to his ongoing dispute with White. Hearn stated he would abandon plans for legal action linked to Conor Benn’s departure from Matchroom to join Zuffa Boxing if Aspinall were released from his UFC obligations.
“I’ll walk away from all their problems they’ve got on the Conor Benn legal situation if they release Tom Aspinall,” Hearn said. “I will put in writing that Tom Aspinall will make a minimum of three times more than he will under his current contract.”
Hearn went even further, suggesting the figure could be between five and six times greater than Aspinall’s current earnings.
Despite the offer, there is no indication that the UFC is considering releasing one of its biggest stars. Aspinall remains under contract and continues to be a central figure in the heavyweight division.
The comments add fuel to the long-running debate over fighter compensation in MMA, an issue Hearn has frequently raised when comparing UFC pay to boxing purses.
Hearn claimed Aspinall is dissatisfied with his current situation and challenged White to allow the champion to pursue more lucrative opportunities elsewhere.
“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,” Hearn said. “He should allow him to go out and make considerably more for himself and his family.”
Aspinall has not competed since his title fight against Ciryl Gane last October, a bout that was halted after repeated eye pokes caused serious damage. The heavyweight later underwent double eye surgery in February, and no timeline has been confirmed for his return to competition.
The fighter has also become an indirect part of the growing public feud between Hearn and White following the launch of Zuffa Boxing. Hearn previously accused the UFC boss of failing to properly support Aspinall after the controversial ending to the Gane fight, claiming the champion had been treated unfairly during the aftermath.