Eddie Hearn has hit out at Michael Bisping after the former UFC champion questioned Tom Aspinall’s recovery timeline and Hearn’s role in the heavyweight’s situation with the UFC.
Bisping had raised doubts about the length of Aspinall’s recovery from an eye injury suffered in a no contest against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October, and also questioned the timing of Hearn signing Aspinall to his agency, suggesting it might be linked to Hearn’s issues with Dana White.
Hearn responded forcefully, saying, "These are people that have been suppressed, themselves, and these are people that don't have any backbone about them. Michael Bisping should be ashamed of what is being proposed to Tom Aspinall to be in a fight like Ciryl Gane with that amount of money that is in the pot. He is a fighter. He should stand up for what's right for fighters."
He continued, "So what are you saying, Bisping? 'Do as you're told, shut up, take your money. That's all you're worth. There's $60 million in the pot. Be quiet. You're getting three percent of the pot.' You're the fighter. You're putting your health on the line, you're the talent, you're the reason this organization is what it is, and Bisping should be ashamed of himself for that."
Hearn also stated that Aspinall, who underwent double eye surgery after being poked by Gane in Round 1 of their UFC 321 bout, has now been cleared to compete. "We've reached out to the UFC and we've told them," Hearn said. "Andy Aspinall, who's got that relationship with Hunter (Campbell) and those guys, 'Tom is ready.' There's going to be a conversation coming up about date and numbers. We're not coming in there to cause a big argument."
According to Hearn, he is now seeking improved contractual terms for a potential fight between Aspinall and Gane. "What we're coming in to say is that there's a huge amount of money in the fight between Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall. Contractually, the numbers are completely unfair in terms of the value that Tom Aspinall brings into that fight. What we're asking for is just to be respected."
