UFC president Dana White has responded to the news that British heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has signed a commercial and advisory deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Talent Agency. The agreement, announced on Thursday, does not signal a switch from MMA to boxing, as Aspinall remains under contract with the UFC.
The move is seen as a retaliatory step from Hearn after boxing star Conor Benn left Matchroom to sign with Zuffa Boxing, a new promotional company co-founded by White and Turki Al-Sheikh. Benn is now scheduled to fight Regis Prograis on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, sharing co-headline status with Tyson Fury's return against Arslanbek Makhmudov.
White addressed the Aspinall signing during a media session ahead of UFC 326 in Las Vegas. 'We don't have any issues with Eddie,' White said. 'They can get whoever they want to represent him. Tito Ortiz used to represent people and we got it done.'
White also appeared on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' and discussed Aspinall's recent eye injury, which led to surgery for bilateral Brown's syndrome after a no-contest against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. 'Tom Aspinall is a guy that I respect, he's been great to work with the whole time he's been here in the UFC,' White said. 'Never once did I question his injury or speak negatively about it. I like him very much and I respect him.'
Aspinall underwent surgery on both eyes last month and wants an immediate rematch with Gane, though his return to the octagon remains uncertain. White confirmed he expects Aspinall to fight again but noted that the two need to talk directly.
