Tom Aspinall signs deal with Eddie Hearn

News just recently broke that in a surprise move MMA fighter Tom Aspinall has inked a deal with Eddie Hearn’s new talent agency he’s embarked on with Anthony Joshua. Of course, after Hearn just lost one of his star fighters to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, many will naturally believe this signing was in the spirit of an eye for an eye. Here’s what Hearn had to say on the subject, himself.

Hearn on whether he intended to sign Tom Aspinall as revenge for losing Conor Benn

“Yes, but not with this in mind…It’s just that I know that we have to bounce back here…It’s like bringing worlds together. And like all of the sudden now I’ve got all the MMA world and the boxing world now. People say ‘you just did this to spite Dana White’ — no, I did this because I got the opportunity to sign one of the biggest stars in combat sports. But the timing meant that the volume and the power of that announcement would be absolutely catastrophic for people.

“So basically what happened was is now, in 24 hours, Tom Aspinall’s profile is by far bigger than it’s been his entire career and that is coming off of being chastised by people who have spun a narrative of him which is not true…I know sport inside and out. I know how to deal with brands, I know how to drive profile, I know how to deal with broadcasters, I know how to spin a narrative, I know how to deal with PR and media, I know how to drive sponsorship sales. I know what’s in the pot for every major event. So really we’re incredibly well-placed in that space.

“The timing of this…[Aspinall’s a little bit of a pawn in my beef with White] but actually I want to represent [him] and I think I’ll do a f-cking incredible job.”

On White seemingly frustrated by the move when he appeared on Piers Morgan

“It’s the power of the announcement. All this stuff between me and Dana — we’re both, them especially, huge organizations. I’m not an idiot, and we will do everything professionally but we will do everything in the best interest of Tom Aspinall…It’s probably good for the UFC, because actually what’s happened as I’ve done a little bit of a job for them because their fighter’s profile is bigger than it’s ever been and I did that in 16 hours. And by the way, if I want to I’ll make it double what it is now, and then after I’ve done that I’ll triple it.”