Tom Aspinall ready to fight if UFC 'respects' his pay demands

Tom Aspinall is cleared to fight again after four eye operations, but a showdown with his manager's UFC bosses may delay his return to the octagon.

The UFC heavyweight champion has not competed since October 2025, when eye pokes from Ciryl Gane left him needing multiple surgeries. His depth perception was so damaged by February that he could not drive or shake hands without missing, according to MMA Mania. Now medically cleared, Aspinall faces a different obstacle: his new manager Eddie Hearn, who also promotes boxing for Matchroom and has clashed publicly with UFC chief Dana White.

Hearn demands UFC pay bump for Aspinall-Gane rematch

Hearn told Ariel Helwani that Aspinall is ready to sign for a rematch with Gane, likely in the fall, but only if the promotion increases his purse. "Contractually, the numbers are completely unfair in terms of the value that Tom Aspinall brings to that fight," Hearn said, per MMA Mania. "What we're asking for is just to be respected. Just respect the fighter."

Hearn called the rematch "a dangerous fight" given the risk of another eye injury or illegal blow, adding that Aspinall's father Andy has already reached out to UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell to signal his client's availability. The manager stressed he is not looking to pick a fight with the organization but wants acknowledgment of the revenue Aspinall generates.

Whether the UFC will negotiate with Hearn remains unclear. The promotion has a history of take-it-or-leave-it contract stances, and White's rivalry with Hearn in boxing could spill over into these talks. The heavyweight title picture has been turbulent since Francis Ngannou's exit and Jon Jones's contract disputes, making another stalled champion a worst-case scenario for fans hoping to see the division unified this year.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Tom Aspinall ready to fight again … if UFC will ‘respect’ him: ‘The numbers are completely unfair’