Eddie Hearn's ongoing feud with Dana White has increased by another notch following the former's signing of UFC star Tom Aspinall.

Hearn announced the shock news on Thursday evening with Aspinall having signed to his newly-formed Matchroom Talent Agency in Monaco on Wednesday. 

The launch of this arm sees Hearn moving into mixed martial arts with Aspinall announced as his first new client.

Many will see it as a get-back by Hearn too who controversially saw long-term boxer Conor Benn recently leave his Matchroom Boxing stable to join Zuffa Boxing instead - who are run by UFC supremo White.

In signing UFC heavyweight champion Aspinall, Hearn could now effectively do business with rival White in the latter's predominant sport.

Aspinall, 32, made his UFC debut in July 2020 and last fought in October 2025 - when his fight against Ciryl Gane was ruled as a no contest due to an accidental eye poke in the first round.

In a statement following Aspinall's arrival, Hearn said: 'I started my professional career in athlete management and over the past 30 years, I have built a wealth of experience in building global superstars.

'We believe in partnership and transparency with our clients but, most importantly, always delivering exceptional and innovative work. Grounded in honesty and fierce commitment, Matchroom Talent Agency is about transforming careers through relentless ambition and telling it straight.

'At the heart of everything we've done as a business over the last 40 years is identifying ordinary people, who have extraordinary talent. It has become a guiding principle to seek out people who are humble but heroic in equal measure. Their journey is our journey. Their triumph, our purpose.

'UFC World Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall is the perfect embodiment of that - and he is the ideal, inaugural member of our team.

'We believe in creating opportunities where others see obstacles in turning potential into greatness. So, the message is loud and clear to all: Join us on this journey. We are officially open for business.'

Benn, son of British legend Nigel, sensationally announced last month that he was ditching Hearn's promotional team Matchroom Boxing after a decade-long relationship for White.

Hearn has since spoken out about that decision, revealing he was left 'devastated' by Benn having guided the British boxer from his 2016 debut to headlining cards and sticking by him after failing two drug tests in 2022.

When it was announced that he was splitting from Hearn, Benn - who has ambitions of winning the WBC welterweight title - thanked the 46-year-old for standing by him during the tough periods of his career and said he was excited for a 'new chapter' aimed at securing 'legacy fights' on the biggest stages.

However, speaking to iFL TV after Benn's bombshell announcement, Hearn claimed he was informed of the decision by the boxer's lawyer before being refused a phone call with him.

'Me personally, pretty devastated,' Hearn said of his reaction to the news. 'I have had a few days to digest what might happen. It is not often you get shocked.

'I blame myself. I forgot it was boxing. I just felt the loyalty that we have shown would never ever put us in this position.'

Daily Mail Sport reported that Hearn is thought to have lent Benn £500,000 following the collapse of his 2022 match-up with Eubank Jr , which came about due to his positive tests.

Hearn added that he 'misjudged the character' of Benn by feeling the 'loyalty' he had shown him 'would be enough to talk it through or get close to a number'.

He continued: 'It feels a little bit of a wasted few years. I gave a lot... I believed him and I backed him and I never gave in when he was done, out. Loaned him hundreds of thousands of pounds, but yeah on we go.'

'I just think the way it was done was very very wrong,' he added. 'But everyone is different. Some people, loyalty really matters, other people maybe not so.

'The way it played out to receive an email from the lawyer and then to ask for a call and not the willingness to have it, you just lose a bit of your soul to it.'

Benn's first bout as a Zuffa Boxing fighter will be against Regis Prograis on April 11 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.