More proof has come yet again in boxing and in the UFC.
The UFC’s Tom Aspinall has signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom who will manage him.
Eddie Hearn and the UFC’s Dana White are now both in direct competition in boxing and in the UFC now as Hearn looks to get Aspinall the best deals from the UFC.
With UFC also promoting boxing now under Zuffa Boxing the UFC and boxing are closer than ever before with overlap in audience, athletes, fights and companies happening on a regular basis.
Here’s the facts on the above:
- Tom Aspinall is the current UFC heavyweight champion (British, ranked top pound-for-pound).
- On March 5, 2026, he became the first client signed to Eddie Hearn’s new Matchroom Talent Agency.
- The deal covers commercial management, endorsements, branding, and negotiations—not fight promotion.
- Aspinall remains 100% UFC-contracted; he fights exclusively under Dana White.
- Eddie Hearn framed it as helping Aspinall secure better long-term UFC deals and family wealth.
- The move is widely seen as retaliation after Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing signed Conor Benn (ex-Matchroom-linked).
- Dana White says he has “no issue” with the arrangement and has worked with various managers before.
- Zuffa Boxing (launched 2025) is UFC’s official boxing promotion, led by Dana White, backed by TKO and Saudi Arabia’s Sela.
- Zuffa has already signed fighters, secured TV deals, and is directly competing with Matchroom in boxing.
- Combat sports are converging: cross-promoter talent deals, shared fans, athlete crossovers, and direct competition between UFC/Matchroom in both MMA and boxing.
The proof and hard evidence is all around us now.
UFC and boxing are closer than ever in all ways.
Even the UFC.com website here is showing boxing front and center now.
