UFC analyst blames Tom Aspinall’s ‘outsider’ relationship with Eddie Hearn for uncertain UFC return

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s business partnership with Eddie Hearn could potentially hinder his return timeline.

As Tom Aspinall continues to recover from multiple eye injuries, Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane will fight for the interim UFC heavyweight title this weekend at UFC Freedom 250. Gane and Aspinall fought to a no-contest at UFC 321 last year after multiple eye pokes by Gane left Aspinall unable to continue.

During Aspinall’s long hiatus from fighting, he recently made a huge management splash in adding Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn to his team in an advisory role. Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White have had a brewing feud for months in what has become one of boxing’s biggest promoter-specific rivalries.

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping raised eyebrows recently when he claimed that a source inside Aspinall’s camp told him that Hearn’s decision to join forces with Aspinall came directly after Conor Benn left Matchroom. Hearn has since criticized Aspinall’s current UFC contract as ‘laughable’ in the latest critique of UFC fighter pay.

But one former UFC fighter believes Aspinall likely won’t return to the Octagon anytime soon due to Hearn’s ongoing feud with White.

Brendan Schaub: ‘No chance’ Tom Aspinall fights soon after Eddie Hearn partnership

In a recent tweet, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub claimed that Aspinall’s partnership with Hearn could jeopardize his fighting future.

“Unfortunately, if you’re a Tom Aspinall fan, which I am. The only one who gets screwed over is Tom,” Schaub said of Aspinall.

“Initially I loved Tom being repped by an outsider. Now I hate it. No chance Tom fights anytime soon. Sucks.”

As of this writing, it’s uncertain when Aspinall will return to the Octagon, but if he does, it’ll be against the Pereira vs. Gane winner. White has also hinted that he and Aspinall ‘need to talk’ after recent remarks following UFC 321 rubbed the champion the wrong way.

While many perceive White and Hearn’s feud as relatively innocuous, rising tensions could indefinitely postpone Aspinall’s return plans.

What is your prediction for Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane? Let us know in the comments!