Eddie Hearn just turned the Tom Aspinall situation into a public fight
The Tom Aspinall contract conversation was already simmering, but Eddie Hearn just kicked it into the open. Hearn publicly called on the UFC to release Tom Aspinall from his deal and promised, in very direct language, that he would pay him at least three times more. That is not subtle manager talk. That is a public challenge aimed straight at Dana White.
The timing is what makes it hit harder. Aspinall’s last appearance came at UFC 321, where Aspinall vs. Gane ended in a no contest after the eye injury. Since then, the heavyweight division has felt stuck around him. So when Hearn calls him one of the most underpaid athletes he has ever seen, it lands because Aspinall is not some fringe name asking for attention. He is one of the most valuable heavyweights in the sport.
Eddie Hearn just challenged Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from the UFC 👀
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 29, 2026
“I will pay him a minimum of 3x more than what Dana White is paying him.
He should be happy for him. He’s one of the most grossly underpaid athletes I’ve ever seen. It’s disgusting.”
(via @IFLTV) pic.twitter.com/gCjvzYZMAn
🚨 Eddie Hearn just asked Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract 😳
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 29, 2026
"I would like Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract. I will guarantee Dana that I will pay Tom Aspinall a MINIMUM of 3 times more what Dana White is paying him.
Dana White… pic.twitter.com/hewA2DPDxA
Why this matters now
This is not just random noise between promoters. Hearn already has a management link to Aspinall, so this is a real business pressure play. He is basically telling the UFC: if you do not want to maximize this guy, let somebody else do it. That is a wild thing to say publicly about an active heavyweight champion-level talent, and it guarantees more attention on whatever Aspinall is making right now.
Of course, the UFC is not in the habit of letting top fighters walk because a rival promoter asks nicely. So the most likely outcome is not Aspinall leaving tomorrow. The real effect is different. Hearn has made the money issue louder, made the inactivity issue louder, and made it harder for people to ignore how unusual Aspinall’s spot has become.
Tom Aspinall FAQ
What did Eddie Hearn say about Tom Aspinall?
Hearn said he wants the UFC to release Tom Aspinall and claimed he would pay him at least three times more than his current deal.
What happened in Tom Aspinall’s last fight?
Aspinall’s last fight was at UFC 321, where Aspinall vs. Gane ended in a no contest after the eye poke situation.
Why is Tom Aspinall’s UFC contract being discussed?
Because Eddie Hearn publicly argued that Aspinall is badly underpaid and said he would offer him a much bigger deal outside the UFC structure.
Will the UFC release Tom Aspinall?
Nothing suggests that is likely right now, but Hearn’s comments have made the debate around Aspinall’s pay and inactivity a lot louder.
Why is Tom Aspinall such a valuable fighter?
Because he is one of the most important heavyweights in MMA, a major name in Britain, and a fighter whose upside is much bigger than a normal contender’s.
