Amid the ongoing rivalry between Dana White and Eddie Hearn, Tom Aspinall has driven a dagger into his boss’s back by signing with the enemy.
The conflict between Dana White and Eddie Hearn has been fierce in 2026, and only continues to escalate. After snatching Conor Benn to his promotion right under the nose of Hearn, White was winning the war by a landslide, but the entire landscape of their feud has now changed.
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Tensions between Tom Aspinall and the UFC brass have been at boiling point since the controversial ending to his first official undisputed title defense late last year. Since then, Aspinall and the company have been at odds, and that relationship is about to corrode even further following the recent announcement.
Hitting back at Dana White, Eddie Hearn revealed that Tom Aspinall had been signed to Matchroom.
A future career in boxing has always been on the agenda for Aspinall, but it will have to wait. The Brit has signed with Matchroom’s newly-formed talent agency, a management and representation division separate from the core world of Matchroom.
Tom Aspinall is the first major client to sign with the agency. His deal will put Eddie Hearn at the forefront of his business interests both inside and outside of the octagon, as the MMA veteran looks to further his success in his career and personal business ventures.
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The agreement means Eddie Hearn will now represent the UFC heavyweight champion, potentially setting up an awkward encounter with Dana White once Aspinall is ready to resume his tenure in combat sports.
“Welcome to the team UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall,” Eddie Hearn said in his reveal post on social media. “Time to get what’s yours. Matchoom Talent Agency.”
Not only will this likely be a huge positive in the war for Eddie Hearn, but it also adds to Tom Aspinall’s intentions to one day transition to boxing, which is something he has teased for years.
Aspinall has been reluctant to sign with any representative during his fight career, instead choosing to be managed by his father despite many other managers attempting to convince him otherwise. Now, a new era has begun for the 32-year-old, being confirmed as the first mixed martial artist to be signed to Eddie Hearn, a fight promoter likely more successful and experienced in his field than others in MMA.
