Dana White Won’t ‘Force’ Tom Aspinall To Fight If Eddie Hearn Holds Champ Out

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 28: UFC President and CEO Dana White speaks during a post fight press conference during UFC Fight Night: Adesanya v Pyfer at Climate Pledge Arena on March 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images) | Getty Images

If Eddie Hearn won’t allow UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to return to fighting until his contract is reworked don’t expect UFC CEO, Dana White, to step in and do any convincing. White is of the mindset that you “can’t force anybody to fight.”

The last six months have been interesting for Matchroom’s Hearn and White, who has taken lead for Zuffa Boxing in 2026 in addition to his role with UFC. The two boxing heads have clashed in the public eye, including White’s poaching of boxing star Conor Benn and Hearn’s retaliation signing of Aspinall. White and Hearn have even discussed having their own boxing match to settle their beef, but luckily for everyone that is more posturing than anything.

Earlier this week, Hearn took another shot at White by claiming he’s going to hold Aspinall out until his UFC contract is reworked. According to Hearn, the financials of the contract are “outrageous” and Aspinall needs to make considerably more money as the promotion’s heavyweight champion. As you may have expected, Hearn’s threat to withhold Aspinall from his UFC comeback eventually made its way to White.

Earlier today, White was in England to host Zuffa Boxing 7, which was the promotion’s first overseas card and trip outside of the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. After the conclusion of the event, White spoke with reporters and was informed of Hearn’s comments. Below is what he had to say:

Dana White on Eddie Hearn saying he won't let Tom Aspinall fight:

If Eddie is not gonna let his fighter fight what are you gonna do? Can't make anybody fight. You can't force anybody to fight. You have to wanna fight. So we'll see how it plays out. pic.twitter.com/U71VNEe50L

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) June 6, 2026

“If Eddie is not gonna let his fighter fight what are you gonna do? Can’t make anybody fight. You can’t force anybody to fight. You have to wanna fight. So we’ll see how it plays out.”

What we do know for certain is that Aspinall won’t be present at next weekend’s UFC White House card because the promotion DIDN’T INVITE HIM!

Any thoughts, Maniacs? Are we looking at an even longer layoff for Aspinall or will all of this get worked out?

Let us know!

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