Tom Aspinall has made a notable move outside the cage. The UFC heavyweight champion confirmed he has partnered with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in a new business arrangement.
Hearn announced the news publicly, welcoming the British fighter to his team and hinting that the partnership could help expand Aspinall’s earning potential.
“Welcome to the team UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall,” Hearn wrote. “Time to get what’s yours.”
The agreement links one of the UFC’s biggest stars with the longtime head of Matchroom, a company widely recognized in professional boxing promotion.
Aspinall explains the decision
Soon after the announcement, Aspinall spoke directly about why he decided to work with Hearn and what the partnership means for his career moving forward.
“I have signed with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom on a commercial advisory deal,” Aspinall said. “We’ve done most of my career with the really small team that I’ve got but I wanted to add to my value. Eddie’s someone that I’ve known for a fair bit, I trust Eddie and I want to make as much money and grow commercially as much as possible while I’m fighting.”
The heavyweight champion stressed that his fighting career remains centered in the UFC, while this deal focuses mainly on business opportunities and broader representation.
“Obviously, we’re still recovering but I’m looking to get back in there as soon as possible.”
The timing of the partnership comes during a tense period involving Hearn and Dana White, who recently helped launch the Zuffa Boxing project.
The situation intensified after boxer Conor Benn reportedly signed a lucrative one fight agreement worth about fifteen million dollars. Benn had previously worked under Hearn’s promotion for most of his professional career.
Hearn later said he felt upset about how the situation unfolded, saying he learned about the deal through Benn’s lawyer rather than directly from the fighter. The issue led to several public exchanges between Hearn and White in interviews.
Even so, Aspinall’s new deal does not affect his UFC contract.
Hearn sees major potential
While discussing the partnership, Hearn spoke highly of Aspinall and described him as one of the most important figures in the sport today.
“I got to know Tom and I got to know Andy and I was pretty shocked by the potential that was out there in terms of where he’s at and how he feels,” Hearn said. “You’re talking about the UFC world heavyweight champion. You’re talking about one of the biggest stars in British sport.”
He continued by praising Aspinall’s reputation and ability.
“I felt like I met a man that was just a little bit broken, if I’m honest with you. One of the things he said to me ‘you sure you want to represent me? I’m a bit of a broken record at the moment.’ I said what are you talking about? You’re the UFC world heavyweight champion. You’re one of the most fierce fighters on the planet and I see you as a massive star. Get your chin up. Get your mojo up.”
🚨 Eddie Hearn speaks about signing Tom Aspinall to his talent agency:
He doesn’t feel like Tom Aspinall has been shown respect as the UFC heavyweight champion:
“Sometimes people can spin a narrative on you and if you don’t have the heavy artillery behind you, you can get a bit… pic.twitter.com/Xb3qgzpV5D
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) March 5, 2026
Welcome to the team UFC Heavyweight Champ @AspinallMMA – Time to get what’s yours 👑
Matchroom Talent Agency 🚀 pic.twitter.com/dAWes5KsR4
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) March 5, 2026
Aspinall has not competed since his fight with Ciryl Gane. That contest ended abruptly after an accidental eye poke caused significant damage early in the bout.
The injury required surgery on both eyes, and the champion has spent the past months focusing on recovery.
According to Hearn, the agreement with Aspinall is not meant to move him toward boxing in the immediate future.
“He has a contract with the UFC,” Hearn said. “This isn’t about bringing him into boxing. This is a commercial representation and advisory capacity to help him across all of his business.”
For now, the plan is simple. Aspinall wants to return to the Octagon once he is medically cleared and continue building his career as the UFC heavyweight champion.
