Tom
Aspinall believes that merely talking about fighter pay won’t
help fighters.
Aspinall recently made headlines by signing a management deal with
boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who is now considered Dana White’s
rival. Aspinall addressed issues about
Ultimate Fighting Championship pay, especially regarding the
discrepancy with Zuffa boxing. While UFC fighters have been
complaining about their purses for years, White’s latest venture,
Zuffa Boxing, recently signed Conor Benn for $15 million.
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However, Aspinall argues that there is no point in fighters
complaining about their salaries, as they signed a contract they
agreed upon. The UFC heavyweight champ is instead looking for
avenues outside the Octagon to earn more money.
“They like to complain about the money that we’re getting paid,”
Aspinall said at a press conference to reveal his signing with
Matchroom Talent Agency. “That’s the contract that we all signed.
We’re not gonna get more than that. I’ve accepted that, and I wanna
make as much outside the Octagon as I possibly can.”
While Aspinall isn’t sure how they should do it, he urges UFC
fighters to take a stand for themselves regarding fighter pay.
“Everyone can talk about it as much as they want, but what’s
talking going to do? People have got to start exploring other
options and really making a stand for what they believe in. I don’t
know what that looks like, I don’t know how they are going to do
it, but I know that talking in interviews isn’t really going to do
much. I know that personally, every time I go in there, I’m risking
my health, and I want to be compensated for that as much as I
possibly can.”
Aspinall became the interim heavyweight champ in 2023 and waited
for a title shot against Jon Jones, who
kept him hanging. Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion
after Jones finally retired in June 2025. Aspinall put his title on
the line for the first time against Ciryl Gane
in October 2025. However, the match ended in an unfortunate
no-contest after Aspinall was unable to continue due to
simultaneous eye pokes from Gane in both eyes in the first round.
Aspinall’s decision to not continue with compromised vision
received mixed reactions from fans and pundits. Aspinall has
seemingly had a small falling out with White, who hinted that the
Englishman’s injury wasn’t as serious as he made it appear.