Eddie Hearn, the renowned Matchroom promoter and new advisor to UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, has publicly stated his readiness to pay Aspinall and Jon Jones double what the UFC offers for their superfight. Hearn claims he could arrange this bout if the fighters were not bound by exclusive UFC contracts. His declaration is part of a broader campaign criticizing the UFC’s fighter pay system, which he deems unfair and in need of reconsideration.
Hearn emphasized that a potential fight between Aspinall and Jones has been discussed for a long time but never materialized. He noted that if both fighters were free agents, he would gladly promote their fight and offer them significantly higher fees. Although exact figures weren’t disclosed, media previously circulated information suggesting Jones’ team requested $15 to $30 million for a bout with Aspinall, with reports of interest from Saudi Arabian investors before negotiations stalled.
Aspinall, as the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, recently signed an agreement with the new Matchroom Talent agency, becoming its inaugural client. This partnership has quickly become a platform for sharp criticism of the UFC’s economic model, particularly regarding what top stars receive compared to the overall revenue generated by events. Hearn has repeatedly expressed bewilderment over Aspinall’s earnings under his current contract, considering the potential revenue from title fights, for example, against Alex Pereira or a rematch with Ciryl Gane.
Hearn provided a hypothetical example: if an Aspinall fight generates $100 million in revenue, paying the champion only one million is unacceptable. He insists on a more equitable distribution of profits for leading athletes. For Hearn, these numbers confirm his willingness to outbid the UFC for a crossover promotion, were it not for contractual barriers.
Jon Jones’ situation has its own history. Discussions of a unification bout with Aspinall during Jones’ heavyweight championship reign never progressed beyond public chatter and fan speculation. One reason for the stalled negotiations was that the UFC did not meet Jones’ financial expectations. Since then, Jones has maintained his own schedule and priorities, and there are no official signs that he or the UFC intend to resume talks about an Aspinall fight in the near future.
Thus, Aspinall vs. Jones currently remains a “fantasy booking,” blocked by exclusive UFC contracts and differing agendas. However, Hearn’s public declaration of willingness to pay fighters double the UFC’s offer, coupled with his new role as Aspinall’s representative, intensifies pressure on long-standing discussions about how much profit the promotion shares with the fighters headlining its biggest shows.