Dana White Fires Back at Eddie Hearn Over Tom Aspinall Contract Demand
Dana White has responded sharply to Eddie Hearn after the boxing promoter called for the UFC to release Tom Aspinall from his contract.
Hearn recently claimed that Aspinall is being badly underpaid and said he would pay the UFC heavyweight champion far more if he were free to compete elsewhere. Dana did not take that lightly.
White fired back by turning the argument around on Hearn.
“He said he wanted Aspinall released, right? You release Bam Rodriguez then,” Dana White said via Zuffa Boxing. “Sounds pretty stupid, doesn’t it? Congratulations Eddie, you sound stupid again.”
It was a classic Dana White response: direct, sarcastic, and personal.
Dana White Turns the Argument Back on Hearn
Dana’s point was simple.
If Hearn expects the UFC to release one of its top heavyweight stars, then by the same logic, Hearn should release one of his own valuable fighters. Dana used Bam Rodriguez as the example to show how unrealistic he thinks Hearn’s request sounds.
From White’s perspective, no major promoter is going to casually release a world-class athlete just because a rival promoter says he can pay more.
That is why he mocked the idea so strongly.
Hearn’s comments about Aspinall are part of a bigger issue: fighter pay.
He has repeatedly argued that elite UFC fighters, especially champions, should be making much more money. Aspinall’s situation gives Hearn a strong talking point because he is one of the best heavyweights in the world and is currently sidelined after a serious eye injury.
Hearn believes Aspinall should not return unless the money reflects the risk.
Dana clearly sees that as outside noise from a boxing promoter trying to attack the UFC model.
Aspinall is the name at the center of this debate, but the argument is really between Dana White and Eddie Hearn.
Aspinall remains one of the UFC’s most important heavyweight stars. His return fight could be massive, especially if it becomes a title unification bout against the winner of Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane.
That makes his contract and value a major topic.
Hearn is saying Aspinall deserves much more. Dana is saying Hearn’s demand to release him makes no business sense.
UFC vs Boxing Tension Keeps Growing
This exchange also adds more fuel to the ongoing rivalry between UFC and boxing promoters.
Dana White has often criticized boxing’s structure, while Hearn has pushed back against the UFC’s pay system and business model. Now, with Aspinall’s name involved, the debate feels even more personal.
Both men are using the situation to make a larger point.
Hearn wants fans to question whether UFC champions are paid enough.
Dana wants to show that Hearn’s request is hypocritical and unrealistic.
Dana White’s response to Eddie Hearn was blunt and mocking.
Hearn asked for Tom Aspinall to be released from his UFC contract. Dana answered by saying Hearn should release Bam Rodriguez first, arguing that the request sounds ridiculous when applied to Hearn’s own business.
The debate over Aspinall’s value is not going away anytime soon.
But Dana White has made one thing clear: the UFC is not letting a top heavyweight star walk just because Eddie Hearn says he can pay more.
