The feud between Eddie Hearn and Dana White has found a new battleground, with UFC heavyweight king Tom Aspinall now caught in the crossfire.
Hearn fired a bold challenge at the UFC boss, urging White to let Aspinall test the open market. The Matchroom chairman argues that one of Britain’s biggest combat sports stars is being paid well below his true value.
Now the Englishman insists he is ready to back up those claims with a blockbuster offer that would turn heads across the industry.
How Much Does Tom Aspinall Earn?
Tom Aspinall has become one of the UFC’s highest-paid active heavyweights, with estimated career earnings between $3.5 million and $4 million from fight purses, performance bonuses, and sponsorship deals. His net worth is currently believed to be close to $3 million.
The biggest payday of his career came at UFC 321 in October 2025, where he reportedly earned more than $3.5 million for his heavyweight title defense against Ciryl Gane.
Before that, Aspinall collected an estimated $1.54 million at UFC 304 for his first-round knockout of Curtis Blaydes, a performance that also earned him a $100,000 bonus.
His rise to championship status began at UFC 295 in November 2023, where he banked approximately $682,000 after capturing the interim heavyweight title.
Despite those impressive figures, Eddie Hearn argues that Aspinall could command significantly larger paydays if he were free to negotiate outside the UFC.
Hearn Wants Dana to Release Aspinall
Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn laid out a bold proposal for the UFC CEO.
“I would like Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his UFC contract”
“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.”
“Dana White should be happy for Tom Aspinall to receive that deal.”
The Matchroom boss argued that Aspinall has earned the right to command a significantly larger payday because of the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level of combat sports.
“A hardworking, working class man that deserves every penny he can get because of what he puts his body through”
According to Hearn, those circumstances only highlight what he sees as a larger issue.
“He should release him of his obligations with the UFC and allow him to go out and make considerably more for himself and his family because that’s what Dana White’s all about, isn’t it?”
Hearn did not hold back when discussing Aspinall’s current compensation.
“(Tom Aspinall) is one of the most grossly underpaid athletes I have ever seen in the commercial world of sports.”
Hearn Offers to Trade Conor Benn for the Heavyweight Champ
The promoter also tied the situation to his ongoing dispute with boxer Conor Benn.
Conor Ben recently pocketed $15 million for a Zuffa Boxing appearance vs. Regis Prograi. That means Conor Ben earned four to five times what Aspinall made in his entire UFC career for a single fight. And that with the same parent company.
Eddie Hearn and Conor Benn are embroiled in a bitter public fallout following Benn’s shock decision to leave Matchroom Boxing and sign a deal with Zuffa Boxing. The disagreement centers around unpaid loans, rejected title fights, and allegations of hush money.
Hearn suggested he would be willing to move on from that legal disagreement if White agreed to release Aspinall.
“I’ll trade that up! I’ll walk away from all their problems on the Conor Benn legal situation if they release Tom Aspinall.”
A trade like this would be virtually unheard of in the world of combat sports, although it does bring to mind that one time uncle Dana traded Mighty Mouse, the flyweight GOAT, for Ben Askren. (Worst trade deal in the history of trade deals if you ask me!)