MMA News

Tag: Eddie Hearn

  • Eddie Hearn Challenges Dana White To Release Tom Aspinall

    Eddie Hearn Challenges Dana White To Release Tom Aspinall

    Eddie Hearn has challenged Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract, promising to pay the heavyweight champion a minimum of three times his current UFC salary and offering to drop his legal dispute with Conor Benn as part of the deal.

    Hearn told iFL TV he was inspired by White’s own words about Benn signing with Zuffa Boxing.

    “One thing that’s actually stuck out with me from his comments is when Conor Benn signed with Zuffa, he said, ‘Eddie should want fighters to earn as much as possible.’ Right? Do you remember that? ‘He should be happy for Conor Benn, that he’s making more money.’ So I’ve been thinking about that line, and I think that I’ve got an idea. 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. And I think for a hardworking, working class man that deserves every penny he can get because of what he puts his body through, that Dana White should be happy for Tom Aspinall to receive that deal.”

    Hearn was direct about his assessment of Aspinall’s current deal.

    “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. I’m looking at this kid, Tom Aspinall, I’m looking at what combat sports athletes are making around the world, and I’ll be honest with you, it’s absolutely disgusting what they’re paying him and things need to change.”

    He also offered to walk away from his ongoing legal dispute with Benn in exchange for Aspinall’s release.

    “I’ll trade that up. 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. There you go. And then we can all celebrate a great athlete, a great fighter, and someone that deserves, like Dana said, to make as much money as he can from the sport.”

    Aspinall is currently sidelined with eye injuries suffered in his fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October 2025. He signed a management contract with Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency. Benn signed a reported $15 million deal with Zuffa Boxing for a single bout. Hearn and White have been publicly feuding for months, with tensions escalating to the point of both men discussing a fight between themselves before White backed away from that talk

  • Tom Aspinall Signs with Eddie Hearn’s New Matchroom Agency

    Tom Aspinall Signs with Eddie Hearn’s New Matchroom Agency

    Eddie Hearn has landed one of combat sports’ biggest names for his newly launched Matchroom Talent Agency, signing UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall as its first major client, it was announced Thursday.​

    The deal pairs the 31-year-old British champion — currently sidelined and recovering from a serious eye injury — with Hearn’s new management venture, a separate arm from his well-established Matchroom Boxing promotional outfit. The signing marks a significant power play for Hearn in the combat sports world and represents a new business direction beyond boxing promotion.

    Tom Aspinall ‘Looking’ Ahead

    The news comes four months after Aspinall’s ill-fated title defense against Ciryl Gane, which ended in a no-contest in October 2025 after the Frenchman landed a double eye poke that left Aspinall unable to continue. Aspinall was subsequently diagnosed with bilateral traumatic Brown’s syndrome — a condition affecting ocular mobility — and has undergone surgery on both eyes. As recently as February 2026, Aspinall disclosed he still had a persistent black spot in his vision and had not yet been medically cleared to return to training.

    TKO vs. Matchroom: Shots Fired

    The signing has an unmistakable political dimension. Hearn had been publicly critical of the UFC’s treatment of Aspinall in the aftermath of the Gane no-contest, with UFC CEO Dana White controversially suggesting Aspinall was unwilling to continue the fight and questioning the severity of the injury. Hearn called out White’s handling of the situation on multiple occasions, stating White “humiliated” the champion. Aspinall’s father also disclosed publicly that his son has approximately three fights remaining on his current UFC contract.

    The timing of the signing also comes on the heels of Hearn losing one of his top Matchroom Boxing stars, Conor Benn, who recently departed for an eight-figure deal with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing. Hearn responded by launching the Matchroom Talent Agency — a management-focused entity — and wasted no time securing Aspinall as its marquee first signing.

    Aspinall remains the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion. His next title defense, return timeline, and future contractual situation with the UFC remain unknown pending his full medical clearance.​

  • Conor Benn: Zuffa Boxing Made An Opportunity I Couldn’t Refuse

    Conor Benn: Zuffa Boxing Made An Opportunity I Couldn’t Refuse

    Conor Benn has broken his silence on his departure from Matchroom Boxing, issuing a public statement addressing his move to Zuffa Boxing.

    Benn thanked promoter Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom team for a decade of support, from his early days as a professional to headlining stadium shows.

    “They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to shoulder with me during the tough times,” he wrote.

    He hopes Hearn can remain part of his team in some capacity going forward.

    On the Zuffa Boxing move, Benn was direct:

    “Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse.”

    He expressed ambition about what the partnership will bring, calling for legacy fights and the biggest stages.

    “I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”

    You can read the full statement here:

    “First and foremost, I want to thank Eddie and the entire team at Matchroom for everything they’ve done for me over the past decade. From guiding me when I first turned pro, to headlining stadium shows. They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to shoulder with me during the tough times.

    It’s been a journey beyond anything we could have imagined, and for their belief, support, and guidance, I will always be truly grateful, but Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse. I’d love Eddie to continue to be part of my team and for our partnership to evolve in this new chapter.

    I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing. I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”

  • Eddie Hearn vs. Dana White – Boxing Promoter Ready to Take on UFC Boss

    Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has made it crystal clear that he wouldn’t be opposed to going head to head with UFC boss Dana White following his entry into the sport of boxing.

    For many years now, Eddie Hearn has been viewed as one of the best promoters in boxing, and perhaps in all of combat sports. He has never been afraid to speak his mind, and he’s always tried to put on the best fights possible – even if that’s rubbed a few people the wrong way.

    Now, there’s a new challenger in the boxing space, and his name is Dana White. Dana was part of the promotion for the Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez event last weekend and Eddie Hearn clearly took notice of that.

    In a recent interview, Eddie Hearn spoke openly about what it means for White to enter boxing, and what he’s excited for.

    Eddie Hearn’s view on Dana White

    “You’re not going to see me slagging off Dana White – not because I don’t want to upset him, because I respect him. The one thing I would really like at this point in my career is to go head-to-head with him and to take him on. I want to compete against Dana White. 

    “I want to prove that I’m much better than him as a boxing promoter. So, I’m excited for him to come into the space. Competition’s fantastic, but you’re not going to come into boxing and steamroll the game. It’s not going to happen. Let’s see how it plays out.”

  • Eddie Hearn Facing Exit? DiBella Predicts Boxing’s Biggest Promoter Might Walk Away

    Eddie Hearn Facing Exit? DiBella Predicts Boxing’s Biggest Promoter Might Walk Away

    Eddie Hearn has been one of the most dominant figures in boxing for years, but his future in the sport is now uncertain. According to longtime promoter Lou DiBella, the shift in power toward Turki Alalshikh and Dana White’s TKO Group could push Hearn into early retirement.

    Speaking on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, DiBella didn’t mince words when discussing how the new power structure affects Hearn’s position.

    “Eddie doesn’t want to be number two or three or four,” DiBella said. “When Eddie came to America with the DAZN money, he was going to create a UFC. He was going to become the UFC.

    He was going to take over boxing. Well, guess what? He went back to England with his tail between his legs. And as much money as he’s made, as much success as he’s had, he didn’t take over shit.”

    DiBella pointed to Hearn’s recent interviews, in which the Matchroom boss has given mixed signals about his future.

    “In one interview, he’s talking about retirement. In another interview, he’s saying, ‘I’m the best in the world.’ That tells me he’s thinking about what’s next. And I get it—on a human level, I totally get it.

    Because in my mind and in my heart, I’ve been in a process of sort of disengaging from boxing for a while. And Eddie doesn’t want to do anything where he’s not the biggest and the best.”

    Hearn has also insisted that boxing isn’t broken, something DiBella strongly disagrees with.

    “Eddie’s going out there saying, ‘What I take issue with is people saying boxing is broken.’ Go fuck yourself, Ed. You know it’s broken. The only reason you’re saying it’s not broken is because the broken system made you rich.”

    With Turki and TKO taking full control of boxing’s biggest fights, DiBella believes Hearn will have to make a choice: adapt to a secondary role or step away entirely.

    “Eddie’s a talented guy, and he’s rich as hell. He doesn’t have to do this. And if he can’t be the dominant figure in boxing, I don’t think he’s going to stick around just to be part of the furniture.

    He’s got his hands in a lot of other sports, he’s got other things he can do, and if he decides to walk away, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.”

  • Major Update On Potential Kamaru Usman/Canelo Álvarez Clash

    Canelo Álvarez’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, is open to potentially negotiating a crossover match with UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

    Usman teased the idea of a potential fight against Canelo in the leadup to his fight against Colby Covington at UFC 268. After defeating Covington for a second time, the interest in a matchup with Álvarez has remained afloat.

    Álvarez is getting ready for his fight against Dmitry Bivol for the WBA super light heavyweight title on May 7 in Las Vegas. At the same time, he also hasn’t dismissed the idea of a big-money fight with Usman happening in the future.

    During a recent appearance on The DAZN Boxing Show, Hearn addressed the potential of a Usman vs. Canelo fight coming to fruition.

    “He’s under contract with UFC, but if Dana White wants to do it, we’d love to discuss it,” Hearn said. (h/t Mirror)

    Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has already communicated his interest in a matchup with Álvarez. He went as far as predicting that Usman would defeat the boxing superstar inside of three rounds.

    While Usman and Canelo’s respective management teams seem on board with the prospect of a fight, UFC President Dana White and his promotion could be a major hurdle. White has shut down the idea of a Usman vs. Canelo fight, although he has been known to change his mind on various topics.

    Usman and Canelo are both considered at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings in their respective disciplines. Usman is likely to face Leon Edwards in the UFC later this year but may focus on a potential fight with Canelo with a win.

    Do you think we’ll see Kamaru Usman vs. Canelo Álvarez at some point?

  • Eddie Hearn Explains How McGregor Has Become The UFC’s Nightmare

    Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn thinks former UFC champion Conor McGregor surpassed the UFC’s overall star power and popularity on his own.

    McGregor is set to make his Octagon return later this year after recovering from a brutal leg break at UFC 264. Despite losing three of his last four fights in the UFC, he remains arguably the biggest box office star in combat sports.

    But Hearn believes that McGregor’s rise to stardom hasn’t been completely positive for UFC President Dana White and the rest of the brass. During a recent interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Hearn explained why he thinks McGregor’s fame might’ve done the UFC more harm than good.

    “For the UFC, where they’ve been very smart is by – it’s such an honor to get a UFC deal,” Hearn said. “You see these kids coming out of Bellator, or Cage Warriors, or wherever it is; but the thought of getting a UFC contract is everything. But I feel in the UFC, they don’t want you to get too big. And when you do – and I used to almost laugh at Conor because I could just imagine just the disruption that he was causing in that organization, because that’s not really the name of the game. We don’t want a star that is bigger than the UFC. Conor McGregor became bigger than the UFC. Really. And that’s a nightmare for those guys.” (h/t DAZN)

    Things appeared to become tense between the UFC and McGregor at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. After previously promising an active year in 2020, he fought just once and allegedly became frustrated with the lack of movement in the lightweight title picture.

    White recently stated that while McGregor is a handful to deal with, he’s one of the most loyal UFC fighters he’s ever come across. He put McGregor’s name in the conversation among the greats such as Ronda Rousey, Chuck Liddell, and Matt Hughes.

    McGregor has become a global superstar for the UFC, but Hearn believes this may be more of a detriment for the company as a whole.

    Do you agree with Eddie Hearn regarding Conor McGregor?