UFC President Dana White offered a surprisingly understated response to the news that heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has signed a management deal with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
The move further escalates the intensifying rivalry between White and Hearn. Hearn made Aspinall the first official athlete of Matchroom Talent Agency, a direct counter after White’s Zuffa Boxing recently signed Hearn’s prized fighter, Conor Benn.
Given the heightened tensions between the two prominent promoters, Aspinall’s decision to join Hearn’s stable was widely expected to provoke a strong reaction from White. However, White appeared less perturbed than many anticipated, despite likely not being pleased.
White addressed the partnership with a dismissive tone: “We don’t have any issues with Eddie. They can get whoever they want to represent them.”
He downplayed the ongoing dispute with Hearn, asserting that he remains unconcerned about which individuals or agencies represent fighters under the UFC or Zuffa Boxing umbrella.
Aspinall’s relationship with the UFC has reportedly grown strained in recent years, with disagreements intensifying following the perceived disappointing outcome of UFC 321. His alliance with Hearn seems to underscore a shift in loyalty, leading many to believe his tenure in the octagon may not extend beyond his current contract.
With over two and a half decades at the helm of the UFC, White has encountered numerous individuals he’s had clashes with. Over the years, many fighters and managers have tested the 56-year-old’s patience. Public feuds are a common thread in White’s career, and it’s perhaps unsurprising that Eddie Hearn isn’t considered among his top adversaries.
To emphasize his lack of concern, White quipped, “Tito Ortiz used to represent people, and we got it done,” referencing past challenges.