Dana White denies Tom Aspinall rift and says Eddie Hearn is ‘f*cking drowning’

Dana White says he has no issue with Tom Aspinall following his UFC title exit, while questioning Eddie Hearn’s work as the heavyweight’s manager and claiming the promoter is struggling to save his business.

Dana White has denied any rift with Tom Aspinall following the heavyweight’s decision to vacate his UFC title, MMA Fighting reported. Speaking at the UFC 331 post-fight press conference, White also criticised Aspinall’s manager Eddie Hearn.

Aspinall’s title departure was announced earlier this week after he aggravated the eye injuries sustained against Ciryl Gane. White’s comments following the initial injuries in October had prompted questions about his attitude towards Aspinall.

“I think because of what I might have said or what he might have responded to what I said after the thing, that people think that I don’t like Tom,” White said. “It’s the furthest thing from the truth. I have no reason to not like Tom. Tom’s never done anything for me not to like him.”

Aspinall signed a management deal with Hearn’s Matchroom organisation mainly to help him navigate his career during his uncertain spell on the sidelines. Hearn has also added Michael Page to his management roster, while White signed longtime Matchroom boxer Conor Benn to fight for Zuffa Boxing.

White questioned what Hearn’s involvement had delivered for Aspinall, asking whether it had brought him a substantial number of sponsors. He said fighters were free to choose their own representatives.

“Eddie Hearn’s f*cking drowning trying to save his f*cking business right now,” White said. “He might want to strategically advise himself about the business that he’s in right now.”