UFC President Dana White commented on heavyweight fighter Tom Aspinall’s recent signing of a commercial and advisory agreement with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, announced on Thursday. Despite the new partnership, Aspinall remains under contract with the UFC, and this deal does not indicate a move from mixed martial arts to boxing.
The collaboration with Matchroom arrives amid rising tension between White and Hearn after boxer Conor Benn left Matchroom to join Zuffa Boxing, a promotional company supported by White and Saudi investor Turki Al-Sheikh.
White Clarifies Relationship with Eddie Hearn and Representation
Speaking to reporters before UFC 326 in Las Vegas, White emphasized that he has no issues with Hearn relating to Aspinall’s deal.
“We don’t have any issues with Eddie,”
White said.
“They can get whoever they want to represent him [Aspinall]. Tito Ortiz used to represent people and we got it done.”
Status of Aspinall’s UFC Career and Communication Plans
On Piers Morgan Uncensored, White addressed Aspinall’s current condition and the potential for his return to UFC competition. He noted,
“The company has talked to him [since the injury], I haven’t talked to him,”
and added,
“Tom and I obviously need to talk.”
Aspinall has been out of action since October, when he suffered a severe eye injury during his first full title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. The fight ended as a no-contest after repeated eye pokes rendered Aspinall unable to continue. Following the incident, Aspinall underwent surgery on both eyes to address significant traumatic bilateral Brown’s syndrome.
Dana White Addresses Injury Comments from Aspinall and His Father
White responded to remarks made by Aspinall and his father, who suggested that White had spoken negatively about the fighter’s injury. White denied these claims, stating,
“He came out recently, or his dad too, saying that they felt like I was, I don’t know how they said it, that I had sort of s**t on them in the way that I had spoke about his eye injury. Which was absolutely, positively not the case.”
He added,
“Tom Aspinall is a guy that I respect, he’s been great to work with the whole time he’s been here in the UFC. Never once did I question his injury or speak negatively about it.”
White concluded,
“I like him very much and I respect him. I have never had a problem with Tom Aspinall.”
Implications of Aspinall’s Matchroom Deal and Future Prospects
Aspinall has expressed a desire for an immediate rematch with Ciryl Gane, but the timing of his return depends on when he receives medical clearance. His partnership with Matchroom appears intended to enhance his commercial and advisory support while he continues competing in the UFC.
