Is Tom Aspinall planning an exit from the UFC? Heavyweight champion inks deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency

Tom Aspinall took a bold step forward in his professional career this week after signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency.

The agreement places Hearn in charge of Aspinall’s commercial representation and advisory interests while the British heavyweight remains under an active fight contract with the UFC. The deal was confirmed on March 5 as Matchroom expands its athlete management arm across combat sports.

Aspinall has spent most of his career managed by his father and a close personal circle. The new arrangement seemingly points toward a professional structure as he enters what he considers the prime years of his career. The focus now remains on maximizing sponsorship opportunities and long-term commercial growth outside the cage.

The timing of the move comes during Aspinall’s recovery from double eye surgery following his no-contest with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in late 2025. The bout ended after a sequence of eye pokes left Aspinall with double vision and restricted eye movement.

The aftermath created tension between Aspinall and UFC CEO Dana White. White initially questioned the severity of the injury before later stating publicly that he never doubted the fighter’s condition.

Despite the strained exchange, White indicated that the new management deal does not affect Aspinall’s standing with the promotion. During the UFC 326 press conference, he said fighters remain free to select their own representatives:

“We don’t have any issues with Eddie. They can get whoever they want to represent them. Tito Ortiz used to represent people, and we got it done.”

Check out Dana White’s comments below:

White’s remarks may reassure fans eager to see Aspinall continue competing under the UFC banner. However, it is also worth noting that the British heavyweight has previously expressed interest in exploring boxing later in his career.

The agreement with Matchroom does not signal an immediate departure from the UFC. However, aligning with Hearn places Aspinall within one of boxing’s most influential management networks, which could make any future move into the sport far easier to navigate.

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Dana White says he needs to speak with Tom Aspinall after UFC 321 controversy

Dana White acknowledged that his relationship with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall remains strained following the fallout from UFC 321.

Tension between the two grew after White seemingly suggested Aspinall may not have wanted to continue the fight after getting injured against Ciryl Gane. Aspinall publicly disputed the remarks and questioned White’s comments.

In a recent interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, White said:

“The company has talked to him, I haven’t talked to him. Tom and I, obviously, need to talk. He came out recently, his Dad too, saying that they felt like I was sh*tting on him in the way that I spoke about his eye injuries. Which was absolutely, positively, not the case. He’s a guy I respect, great to work with the whole time he’s been here in the UFC. Never once did I question his injuries or speak negatively about it.”