Tom Aspinall: UFC champion signs with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom agency

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has signed a contract with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn’s new talent agency.

The 32-year-old Englishman has been the standout performer in the UFC’s heavyweight division in recent years, with seven of his eight wins ending in the first round.

The move comes two weeks after boxer Conor Penn left Hearn’s Matchroom promotion to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.

Hearn has now launched the ‘Matchroom Talent Agency’ which will ‘nurture the careers of athletes by managing their brand and building their reputation’.

However, Aspinall’s deal is a “commercial and advisory” deal and not a promotional one as the Briton remains signed to the UFC.

“Eddie has built one of the biggest brands in sport and understands how to take athletes to the next level, both in and out of competition,” Aspinall said of the decision.

“I’m really looking forward to working together and exploring some exciting opportunities as I continue my journey back into the cage.”

Aspinall has been suffering from eye problems since his title fight with Cyril Jean was stopped last October due to repeated eye pokes.

He underwent eye surgery last February, and it is not clear when he will be able to return to action.

Hearn, 46, has been in a public feud with UFC president White since the launch of Zuffa Boxing.

Aspinall became part of that war of words when Hearn suggested White had “insulted” him by not backing the fighter after the eye controversy.

Aspinall is the first to sign to Hearn’s agency.

“We believe in creating opportunities where others see obstacles,” Hearn said.

“At the heart of everything we have done as a company over the past 40 years has been identifying ordinary people with extraordinary talent.

“Tom Aspinall is the perfect embodiment of that.”