Tom Aspinall: Confidence Shaken After Gane Fight, Signs with Eddie Hearn | UFC News
UFC Champion Tom Aspinall Seeks Fresh Start with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has partnered with Eddie Hearn’s newly formed Matchroom Talent Agency, a move the fighter says is aimed at maximizing his potential both inside and outside the Octagon. The deal, announced earlier this month, comes after a period of uncertainty following a no-contest bout against Ciryl Gane in October and amidst a growing public feud between Hearn and UFC president Dana White.
Aspinall, 32, admitted his confidence took a hit after the fight against Gane at was stopped due to repeated eye pokes. The bout was ruled a no contest, leaving Aspinall frustrated and questioning the narrative surrounding his willingness to continue fighting. “I mean, how can your confidence not take a knock?” Aspinall said to reporters. “You work your whole life for something, and someone can just spin it on you that [I] just didn’t want to carry on. I’ve had millions of fights. I’ve been fighting since I was eight years old. That is not the case.”
The champion underwent double eye surgery in February and is currently recovering, with no firm timeline for his return to competition. The incident and its aftermath led to a public disagreement with White, who suggested Aspinall didn’t want to continue the fight, a claim Aspinall strongly disputed.
Aspinall emphasized that his decision to sign with Hearn is not a retaliatory move against White or the UFC. “This is not like point-scoring stuff for me,” he explained. “This is me wanting to get what I think I’m worth. And if I can work with people who I like and they’re going to help me, I will absolutely take it. No, this isn’t me getting back at anyone or anything like that.”
The partnership represents a significant move for both Aspinall and Hearn. Hearn, known for his success in boxing promotion with Matchroom Boxing, recently launched Matchroom Talent Agency with the stated goal of “nurturing athletes’ careers by managing their brand and building their reputations.” Aspinall is the agency’s first signing, marking a foray into the world of mixed martial arts representation.
Hearn described Aspinall as “the perfect embodiment” of the type of athlete Matchroom Talent Agency seeks to represent – someone with “extraordinary talent” who is also “humble but heroic.” He added, “We believe in creating opportunities where others see obstacles.”
Aspinall echoed Hearn’s sentiment, stating he believes the team will help him regain confidence and navigate his career effectively. “I feel like Eddie [Hearn] and the team are going to help with that,” he said. “So that’s why I’ve come with them.”
Despite the new partnership, Aspinall remains under contract with the UFC. The deal with Matchroom Talent Agency is described as a “commercial and advisory” one, meaning Hearn’s team will handle Aspinall’s business dealings outside of fight negotiations with the UFC.
The move comes just weeks after boxer Conor Benn left Hearn’s promotional outfit, Matchroom, to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, adding another layer of complexity to the burgeoning rivalry between Hearn and White. Dana White, however, has downplayed any potential issues arising from Aspinall’s representation, stating he has “no problem negotiating with anybody.”
Aspinall’s relationship with White appears to be currently limited to professional interactions through UFC’s Hunter Campbell. “Dana’s not spoken to me,” Aspinall revealed. “To be honest, as far as I’m aware, or at least from my experience, UFC fighters don’t really have a personal relationship with Dana.”
As Aspinall continues his recovery and prepares for his return to the Octagon, the partnership with Hearn’s agency signals a new chapter in his career, focused on maximizing his potential and securing his future in the sport.