Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has called on UFC president Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from his contract and says the heavyweight champion is not being paid his worth.
Manchester-based Aspinall, 33, signed a “commercial and advisory” deal with Hearn’s new talent agency in March.
Aspinall has been the standout performer in the UFC’s heavyweight division in recent years, with seven of his eight wins ending in the first round.
Hearn is prepared to offer Aspinall higher earnings if the UFC allowed him to leave, as tensions continue to grow between himself and White, though it is unclear whether that would be in boxing or MMA.
Matchroom chairman Hearn is also willing to drop planned legal action over Conor Benn’s decision to leave his stable for White’s Zuffa Boxing promotional company if they release Aspinall.
Hearn, 46, previously described 29-year-old Benn’s departure as a “dagger in the heart”.
“I’ll walk away from all their problems they’ve got on the Conor Benn legal situation if they release Tom Aspinall,” Hearn said.
“And I will, in writing, it will be five or six times more money he’ll be making, but I will put in writing that Tom Aspinall will make a minimum of three times more than he will under his current contract.”
Aspinall remains under contract with the UFC and is one of its biggest stars.
Hearn has previously criticised the UFC’s pay structure and suggested leading fighters could earn considerably more elsewhere.
There is no indication the UFC would consider releasing Aspinall, but Hearn’s remarks have increased debate around fighter pay in mixed martial arts (MMA).
“I would like to propose that Dana White should be happy for Tom Aspinall, who is extremely unhappy, and he should release him of his obligations with the UFC,” Hearn added.
“And he should allow him to go out and make considerably more for himself and his family because that’s what Dana White’s all about, isn’t it? He’d be happy for Tom. So that’s what I would like.”
Aspinall has been dealing with eye problems since his title fight with Ciryl Gane last October had to be stopped because of repeated eye pokes.
He had double eye surgery in February and it is not yet certain when he will be able to return to action.
Hearn has been publicly feuding with UFC president White since the launch of Zuffa Boxing.
Aspinall became part of that war of words when Hearn suggested White “humiliated” him by not backing the fighter after the eye controversy.