Tom Aspinall Issued A Major Warning

Tom Aspinall has been warned about having a poor relationship with the UFC.

The UFC heavyweight champion has been sidelined since October 2025, when an eye poke from Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 forced him out of action. While Aspinall waited out his recovery, he made a decision that immediately raised eyebrows across both combat sports: he signed with Eddie Hearn as his manager.

Hearn and UFC president Dana White had already been trading shots in the media. Bringing the Matchroom Boxing boss into his corner was never going to go unnoticed inside the UFC's offices. Hearn wasted little time going public with his grievances over Aspinall's contract, and last week he went further — stating that Aspinall will not return to fight the winner of Gane vs. Alex Pereira unless his pay is renegotiated for what would be a heavyweight title unification bout.

Brad Pickett is not convinced it ends well. The former WEC and UFC fighter, who went 9-5 across 14 appearances in the organisation, was asked about Aspinall's situation.

"As for Tom, I feel really bad for this guy. He doesn't seem like he can catch a break. But also, sometimes I do think he makes some interesting decisions. I think signing Eddie Hearn can be good for him in a lot of ways, but also can be very bad for him in a lot of ways.

“I think it's going to get the UFC's back up a little bit and, like I say, they'll say you don't want to bite the hand that feeds you. "Could it be more? Yes, 100 percent. But yet again, this might sound silly. I signed the contract, right? I knew what I was getting paid,” Pickett said

Aspinall holds the heavyweight title, which affords him some protection. But titles have changed hands before, and the organisation has options in a division that includes Gane and Pereira.

Whether Hearn's involvement ultimately secures Aspinall a better deal or simply delays his return to the cage is the question neither side has answered yet.