Eddie Hearn has announced that UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has joined his newly launched Matchroom Talent Agency, becoming the first athlete to sign with the venture. A press conference officially unveiling the partnership is scheduled to take place Friday in London.
The Matchroom Boxing chairman described the project as a new approach to athlete management. “I started my professional career in athlete management and over the past 30 years I have built a wealth of experience in building global superstars,” Hearn said. He added that the agency aims to deliver “exceptional and innovative work” while building careers through transparency and long-term partnerships.
Aspinall, 32, from Salford, England, holds a mixed martial arts record of 15-3, with all of his victories coming inside the distance. He debuted in the UFC in July 2020 and most recently fought in October against Ciryl Gane, a bout that was ruled a no contest after accidental eye pokes in the opening round.
The injury led Aspinall to undergo surgery on both eyes after experiencing double vision and restricted eye movement. Despite the setback, Hearn described the champion as the ideal first signing for the agency, calling him “the perfect embodiment” of the type of athlete Matchroom aims to represent.
The move also comes at a time when UFC-owned Zuffa Boxing recently made headlines by signing Conor Benn to a one-fight deal.
Image Credit: X