Hearn Vows To Block Aspinall from Fighting On Current UFC Contract

Eddie Hearn has drawn the clearest line yet between his management of Tom Aspinall and the UFC's expectations for the heavyweight champion's return, warning that he will not allow Aspinall to fight in a unification bout against the winner of Alex Pereira versus Ciryl Gane on the terms currently in his contract.

"It's really interesting what's happening in the UFC right now. There is a monumental change for the swing of the business. They've got to be careful, because at the end of the day, I'm not going to let Tom Aspinall fight for the kind of money that's in his contract, to be involved in a fight against Pereira or Gane for literally one fiftieth of the revenue for that show. I won't let him do it," Hearn said

Hearn's language escalated further when addressing the broader fighter pay picture: "It's time those UFC fighters stop being mugs and start to understand that these people are taking advantage of them. They deserve better. They don't mind paying these boxers all this money, but they won't do it for the UFC fighters."

The contrast Hearn is drawing is specific and pointed. TKO Group Holdings has paid Conor Benn a reported $15 million for a single Zuffa Boxing fight while UFC fighters operating at the top of the card receive a fraction of the revenue their bouts generate. The Ali Act — the federal boxing legislation that has historically protected boxers' financial rights and prevented the kind of promotional control the UFC exercises over its fighters — is central to that disparity.

"I'm saying my advice to Tom Aspinall will be, 'Don't you dare take that fight for the money that's in your contract. You are one of the biggest stars in UFC. That fight against Pereira or Gane is one of the biggest fights the UFC can make. I will tell you the number in time, if we get to that. UFC fans, everybody will be sick to their stomach about the money Tom Aspinall is supposed to get for that fight, for the revenue that exists for that fight. It's not fair,” Hearn added

Aspinall suffered the eye injury when Ciryl Gane's fingers made direct contact with both eyes during their no contest at UFC 321 last October, underwent surgery in February, and has since been waiting on medical clearance that has been delayed by ongoing recovery requirements. The UFC Freedom 250 co-main event between Gane and Pereira on June 14 will produce the mandatory challenger Aspinall must eventually face.