Fresh off adding UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to his stable, promoter Eddie Hearn publicly ripped the fighter’s UFC contract this week, arguing the deal badly undervalues one of the company’s most marketable big men. The comments come as Aspinall weighs potential blockbuster matchups with Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira, two fights that could shape the entire heavyweight picture in the months ahead.
Hearn’s criticism lands at a time when the UFC heavyweight division badly needs clarity. A title defense against Gane would give Aspinall a chance to settle unfinished business and reinforce his place as the division’s true centerpiece, while a Pereira superfight would almost certainly be the bigger commercial draw in the U.S. market. Either matchup would carry major implications: a win over Gane strengthens Aspinall’s championship legitimacy, while a victory over Pereira could turn him into a crossover attraction.
According to Hearn, the financial upside for Aspinall simply does not match the risk. He said the champion’s current deal is embarrassing, especially when measured against the kind of revenue his fights could generate. Hearn also argued that once taxes and team expenses are taken out, there is little incentive for Aspinall to step back into the cage — particularly after multiple surgeries and the physical damage he has already endured in his career.
From an American MMA media perspective, this is the part that will resonate most: Aspinall is viewed by many as one of the most complete heavyweights in the sport, but stars at that weight do not stay available forever. He has finished nearly everyone placed in front of him during his rise, and his speed and boxing make him a rare heavyweight who feels built for main-event pay-per-view slots.
What happens next depends on whether the UFC moves quickly to book a fight worthy of Aspinall’s standing — and whether this contract dispute becomes background noise or the real story heading into his next defense.