Eddie Hearn makes Dana White outrageous offer to get Tom Aspinall released from UFC contract

Eddie Hearn has implored Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract.

Hearn signed 33-year-old Aspinall to his new talent agency earlier this year and is reportedly eager that the Salford heavyweight is in a position to pursue more lucrative opportunities.

Aspinall was promoted from UFC interim heavyweight champion to undisputed heavyweight champion when Jon Jones retired last summer.

His first title defence in October ended in a no-contest when Aspinall was unable to continue after an accidental eye poke from challenger Ciryl Gane.

BBC Sport reports that Matchroom chairman Hearn is willing to boost Aspinall's earnings if he can leave the UFC.

Hearn has not clarified whether his plans for Aspinall would be in the MMA realm or in boxing, where the Englishman won his only professional bout nearly 10 years ago.

The boxing promoter is locked in a feud with UFC chief White and has made a punchy offer to sweeten the otherwise outlandish idea of letting the heavyweight division's top fighter drop out of the promotion.

According to BBC Sport's Timothy Abraham, Hearn is 'willing to drop planned legal action' relating to boxer Conor Benn's switch from Hearn's representation to Zuffa Boxing, White's company, early in 2026.

"I'll walk away from all their problems they've got on the Conor Benn legal situation if they release Tom Aspinall," said Hearn.

"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.

"I would like to propose that Dana White should be happy for Tom Aspinall, who is extremely unhappy, and he should release him of his obligations with the UFC."

Eye injury threatened Aspinall's return plans

Aspinall has been on the UFC roster since 2020, winning his debut fight in the octagon against Jake Collier.

He took a five-match win streak into a main event loss to Curtis Blaydes two years later, his only UFC loss to date.

Blaydes was his opponent when he defended the interim heavyweight title at Manchester's Co-op Live in 2024.

Aspinall underwent eye surgery in February after the injury he suffered in his title defence against Gane, who, like Aspinall, registered his first career no contest as a result of the stoppage in Abu Dhabi.

Several pundits have backed calls for stricter penalties for fighters who poke their opponents in the eye.