Eddie Hearn, who recently became Tom Aspinall's manager, has asked Dana White to release Aspinall from his UFC contract. Hearn characterized Aspinall's current deal as among the worst contracts in the promotion, comparable to the lowest-paid athletes.
Eddie Hearn has formally requested that UFC president Dana White release heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall from his current promotional contract, marking a bold early move from the boxing promoter since taking on Aspinall as a management client.
Hearn characterized the deal as one of the worst in the UFC, describing Aspinall's compensation as comparable to the lowest-paid fighters on the roster — a striking claim given the Englishman's standing at the top of the heavyweight division.
Aspinall, 33, holds a professional record of 15-3-0 and currently wears the UFC heavyweight title. He ranks sixth on the pound-for-pound list, a position that reflects just how dominant he has looked inside the octagon. Standing six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach, the Team Kaobon product fights out of England and brings an elite combination of striking and grappling. He lands an exceptional 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a 67 percent accuracy rate, while also averaging 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes — a level of well-rounded efficiency that is rare at heavyweight.
Why it matters
- Aspinall is the reigning heavyweight champion and a top-six pound-for-pound fighter, giving him significant leverage in any contract dispute
- Hearn's public request puts pressure on the UFC to renegotiate, potentially setting up a high-profile standoff between two of combat sports' most prominent figures
- The outcome could determine whether Aspinall remains in the UFC or explores options elsewhere, with major implications for the entire heavyweight division
