UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has signed a commercial and advisory deal with Eddie Hearn’s newly launched Matchroom Talent Agency. The 32-year-old from Salford is the first athlete on the agency’s books, and the announcement dropped on Thursday via social media and a press release from both parties.
Tom Aspinall and Eddie Hearn – The Deal
This is a representation deal, not a promotional one. Aspinall remains under contract with the UFC. Hearn and his team will handle Aspinall’s business inside and outside of the octagon, according to Ariel Helwani. The agency will support him with commercial, publishing, digital, broadcast, and legal services, while Aspinall continues working with his existing media and management team.
Aspinall had never previously signed with professional management. His father Andy Aspinall, who also serves as his head coach at Team Kaobon, had been handling his affairs throughout his career. That makes this a significant shift for a fighter who resisted outside management for years despite multiple approaches from other managers.
Why It Matters
The timing carries weight. Just two weeks ago, Dana White pulled Conor Benn away from Matchroom Boxing and signed him to a reported one-fight, $15 million deal with Zuffa Boxing. Hearn called the loss painful. In response, Hearn launched the Matchroom Talent Agency and landed the UFC heavyweight champion as its debut client.
White and Hearn have been at each other’s throats for weeks. White called entering the boxing world “like beating up babies” and questioned Hearn’s vision. Hearn fired back by calling Zuffa Boxing’s product “the cringiest sh*t I’ve ever seen.” Signing Aspinall gives Hearn direct leverage in White’s own backyard; MMA.
What Aspinall Said
“I’m really excited to welcome Eddie and the Matchroom Sport group in a commercial and advisory role, and to become the first athlete to join the new Matchroom Talent Agency,” Aspinall said. “Eddie has built one of the biggest brands in sport and understands how to take athletes to the next level, both inside and outside of competition. I’m looking forward to working together and exploring some exciting opportunities as I continue my journey back into the cage”.
Hearn called Aspinall “the perfect embodiment” of the agency’s mission and described him as “the ideal, inaugural member of our team”. He also posted to social media: “Welcome to the team, UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall. It’s time to get what’s yours.”
What About Boxing?
Short answer, not right now. Despite Aspinall’s long-stated interest in boxing and his father’s public wish to see him pursue bigger paydays in the ring, Hearn was clear this deal is about management, not a crossover. “He has a contract with the UFC so this isn’t about bringing him into boxing,” Hearn said in a video posted by Aspinall. Aspinall does have one professional boxing win on his record, a first-round knockout of Tamas Bajzath back in 2017.
Aspinall’s Current Status
Aspinall hasn’t fought since October 2025 when his title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in a first-round no contest after multiple eye pokes. He was diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome, a rare condition affecting eye movement and causing double vision. He underwent double eye surgery in February 2026 and his return timeline remains unclear.
The relationship between Aspinall and the UFC has been strained since. White publicly stated there was “no damage to the eye” after the Gane fight, which left Aspinall feeling “very disappointed”. White recently acknowledged the two need to talk, telling Piers Morgan: “His father has expressed that they felt I had, in some way, disrespected him regarding my comments on his eye injury, which was absolutely not the case.”
What Comes Next
Matchroom is holding a press conference in London on Friday to formally announce the partnership, with Aspinall expected to attend. Hearn stepping into Aspinall’s negotiations could create friction with the UFC, which has historically been reluctant to engage with certain managers. But as Helwani noted, Aspinall is the heavyweight champion, his demands carry weight.
