Eddie Hearn has gone public with a bold proposal, urging UFC president Dana White to release heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall from his current contract so he can secure the Brit a far more lucrative deal.
Hearn, who has been in an ongoing dispute with White over combat sports promotions, says Aspinall’s UFC agreement is not reflective of his value. “The situation with Tom is, and he is under contract with the UFC, but unfortunately for him he has signed a contract which is one of the worst, most grossly underpaid athletes I have ever seen in the commercial world of sports,” Hearn said.
Referencing White’s past comments about fighters maximizing their earnings, Hearn laid out his offer. “I would like Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract, and I will guarantee Dana White, in writing, that I will pay Tom Aspinall a minimum - probably five times more - but a minimum of three times more what Dana White is paying him.”
Hearn also tied the situation to his ongoing legal dispute involving Conor Benn, who signed a reported $15 million deal with White for a single Zuffa Boxing bout. “I’ll trade that up,” Hearn said. “I’ll walk away from all their problems they’ve got on the Conor Benn legal situation if they release Tom Aspinall. And I will, in writing, it will be five or six times more money he’ll be making, but I will put in writing that Tom Aspinall will make a minimum of three times more than he will under his current contract.”
Aspinall is currently sidelined with eye injuries suffered in his fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 and has previously experienced inactivity while lobbying for a fight with Jon Jones.
