Aspinall spoke highly of the move, citing Hearn’s pedigree in promoting and negotiating on behalf of athletes. 

“I’m really excited to welcome Eddie and the Matchroom Sport group in a commercial and advisory role, and to become the first athlete to join the new Matchroom Talent Agency,” Aspinall said. “Eddie has built one of the biggest brands in sport and understands how to take athletes to the next level, both inside and outside of competition.”

Aspinall has similarly had issues with the handling of his own run as Heavyweight Champion, pushing publicly for the Undisputed title match to be made between him and Jones prior to his retirement. White has also been dismissive of Aspinall’s injury and absence from the top of the card.

“Tom didn’t want to continue the fight,” White had said in the UFC 321 press conference. Comments Aspinall admitted he was disappointed in, even if White had said afterwards that he didn’t intend to be derogatory.

This will be Hearn’s first foray into the world of MMA, having established Matchroom Boxing as part of his father Barry Hearn’s Matchroom Sport. In 2021, his father stepped down as Chairman of Matchroom Sport in lieu of his son, becoming President of the company in an advisory role.

He has since gone on to steer the careers of multi-time World Champions in Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor, as well as signing boxing’s first $1 billion deal with DAZN in 2018, and promoting the 2019 attraction fight between KSI and Logan Paul.