Dana White has responded to Eddie Hearn’s claim that he will hold heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall out of action until Aspinall’s UFC contract is reworked.
Hearn believes the financial terms of Aspinall's current UFC deal are unacceptable and that Aspinall should earn more as heavyweight champion. White, asked about the situation, pushed back on the idea that he controls when fighters compete.
"If Eddie is not gonna let his fighter fight what are you gonna do? Can’t make anybody fight. You can’t force anybody to fight. You have to wanna fight. So we’ll see how it plays out."
White was in England to host Zuffa Boxing 7, the promotion's first overseas card and first trip outside the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has taken the lead for Zuffa Boxing in 2026 in addition to his role with UFC.
Tom Aspinall will not be present at next weekend's UFC White House card because the promotion did not invite him.
White and Hearn have publicly clashed before, including over White signing Conor Benn and Hearn signing Tom Aspinall, and they have even discussed having a boxing match with each other, though it is described as posturing.
