Overview
- On Sunday, Dana White publicly rejected Eddie Hearn’s demand to release UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and answered with pointed insults while saying he will not free the fighter from his deal.
- Eddie Hearn, now acting as Aspinall’s manager, has told reporters he will discourage Aspinall from fighting under his current UFC contract and is pushing for a renegotiation or release.
- The UFC is moving forward with an interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane on June 14 at the White House to keep the division active while Aspinall recovers from eye surgeries.
- Hearn and promoter Frank Warren say their Fury–Joshua contract bars Dana White from promoting the bout but White has publicly disputed that restriction and signaled he still intends to play a role.
- The public feud follows Zuffa Boxing’s aggressive signings, including Conor Benn, and could prompt legal or commercial negotiations that reshape fighter deals and who promotes future marquee fights.