Three reasons why Tom Aspinall signed shock deal with Eddie Hearn

The surprises served by combat sports kept coming on Thursday when Eddie Hearn announced the capture of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to a management deal.

Aspinall is the first major name to join Matchroom Talent Agency, in what is an intriguing move for one of the biggest names to emerge from the mixed-martial arts scene.

But why has Aspinall joined forces with Hearn? Here, DAZN News explores three key reasons that have brought these two men together to break bread.

Make as much out of his career as possible before retirement

Aspinall is in a crucial part of his career, with the UFC heavyweight title around his waist, he is the so called ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’. He will now want to build his legacy and finances that fit this moniker.

The question is, at this crossroads, how does he go to the next level from both a performance and reputational stand point? Hearn has the proven track record of giving his fighters the one-on-one guidance, management and direction to achieve both.

Think Anthony Joshua, Dmitry Bivol and Katie Taylor, who have become modern era greats in boxing.

Hearn can make Aspinall a household name

Aspinall has all the attributes to become a sporting superstar.

He is entertaining inside the cage, but also a likeable character outside of it. However, there is yet to be a British MMA fighter who commands the same star power as their boxing counterparts.

Signing with Hearn and Matchroom Talent Agency could be the backing Aspinall needs to achieve this aim.

Matchroom Sport are no strangers to making the ordinary athlete a household name. From boxing to darts, the Matchroom machine knows how to get athletes to strike a chord with the general public.

Aspinall is already on this journey with a YouTube channel boasting 643,000 subscribers, but Hearn has a huge reach on social media, and like it or not, he is an influencer.

Already the video of Aspinall announcing his management deal with Hearn has surpassed 200,000 views, a clear sign of what the name ‘Hearn’ can do.

Once Hearn and Aspinall get stuck into their business relationship, do not be surprised if the latter becomes one of the UK’s biggest celebrity names.

Forcing Dana White to work with Hearn in heated rivalry

This signing also serves as the latest chapter in the brewing rivalry between Hearn and Dana White after the latter signed Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing.

However, while it is just a management contract between Aspinall and Hearn, it means when the UFC heavyweight champion is ready to return following an injury layoff, Hearn will be involved in the negotiations.

Aspinall has two fights left on his contract with the UFC, and he will want to silence the critics after his first defence against Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest after an accidental eye poke in October.

Once plans begin to be put in place for Aspinall’s return, it will be intriguing to see how White and Hearn work together at the negotiating table.

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