UFC champion Tom Aspinall is finally ready to make a comeback, says Eddie Hearn – but on one condition
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Talent Agency have added Ian Machado Garry to their roster. The next UFC welterweight opponent joins heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall as only the second UFC fighter to work with the agency.
After signing Aspinall in March, Matchroom’s Hearn knew it was only a matter of time before more UFC stars came knocking on his door. However, with Garry, Hearn was the one chasing Ireland’s latest star, he said. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that they put pen to paper, before Wednesday’s official announcement. Speaking in studio on the “Ariel Helwani Show,” Hearn explained how the deal came about.
Advertisement
“We took our time, to be honest with you,” Hearn told Uncrown. “Because what we did with Tom was incredible, and we’re going to go back to that. With that signing, we had over a dozen guys from the UFC or MMA come to us and say, ‘How can we be a part of this? Can we get representation from you guys?’
“We’re a sports organization. We’re looking to represent the world’s top stars in all sports and entertainment, not just MMA. But of all the ways we had, I don’t think Ian was the way. I think I actually reached out to him because I know his team and everyone around him.
“I’ve watched this guy for a long time, and I like his spirit. I like his personality. He’s a good man, tall, good-looking and incredibly well-spoken. I’ve felt for a long time that this guy actually has the qualities to be a champion. As I read more about the sport, how good he is, we met, we had many deep conversations, especially strong conversations, and finally he was secure. Through our work in Ireland and understanding the country, the audience, how they love theirs, I felt like This is the guy we wanted to bring to the team, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Garry, 28, formed an alliance with Hearn at a unique time. While the welterweight just got his first title fight – a matchup against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15 – Hearn became involved in a dispute between the promoter and UFC CEO Dana White.
Advertisement
Hearn didn’t plan to add a long list of UFC fighters to his agency’s roster, but Garry seemed more obvious from a brand perspective. As for the actual fight negotiations, Hearn said he and Matchroom will shake hands, leaving that to Vayner Sports, which is now Garry’s management team.
“We will have no dealings with the UFC regarding Ian Garry,” Hearn said. “That contract is up; he has a fight coming up. It’s very different to Tom Aspinall’s situation.
“I didn’t feel that this was some kind of controversial signing. … I look at Ian Garry as a potential champion in the sport. And I’m building an agency to represent great athletes with high commercial potential and demand. Ian lives within that mold.
“This is not about us having meetings with the UFC. He has his own group of people who do that side.”
Advertisement
On the Aspinall side of Hearn’s career, the relationship is more fraught.
The reigning UFC heavyweight champion has not fought since joining Matchroom. Aspinall has been sidelined for a long time, recovering from an eye injury suffered against Cyril Gane at UFC 321 in October. An accidental eye drop caused the belt to become a non-contest at the end of the 1st round.
Aspinall is finally medically cleared to resume training and fight again, Hearn said. After Gane’s most recent interim title win against Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, the return could be a rematch for Gane.
Advertisement
“He doesn’t care [where],” said Hearn. “The truth is, this is a dangerous fight, and some people still refuse to accept that he underwent four eye surgeries and was told clearly that he might not be able to see. You have to go back there, do the same kind of thing – it can happen again. In this case it could be worse, or it could be a blow to the back of the head. All these other bad guys you see, but you know it’s going to be that kind of fight. It won’t be easy. So, if you’re going to put yourself through that, if you’re going to risk not just your legacy, but your life and beyond — don’t be too mean about things — you have to be respected.”
“We reached out to the UFC and told them — Andy Aspinall, who has that relationship with Hunter [Campbell] and those guys, ‘Tom’s ready,'” Hearn continued. “There’s going to be a conversation about the date and the numbers. Look, we’re not going in there to start a big argument. What we will say is that there is a lot of money in the fight between Cyril Gane and Tom Aspinall. Now, in terms of the contract – and the contract is a little out of date because it talks about pay-per-view and that’s obviously no longer there, but in terms of the contract – the numbers are, we’re going to lean on the side of peace, completely unfairly in terms of the value that Tom Aspinall brings to that fight. So all we ask is that we be respected, and we will do everything.
“Respect the fighter – that’s all. And he’s not hard to work with. Tom’s not really hard to work with. But that has to be acknowledged, in my opinion.”
Tom Aspinall is ready to return.
(Jordan Pettitt – PA Photos via Getty Images)
Despite Aspinall’s recent inactivity during his recovery, the Matchroom partnership has paid off big. Literally.
Advertisement
According to Hearn, Aspinall has already made more money outside the Octagon than he would have in it. Apparently, Hearn and the company’s plan is to change that going forward. But as time goes on, the anticipation for Aspinall’s return continues to grow.
“He makes more money now outside the Octagon than he does in it, commercially,” Hearn said. “He’s called more than seven figures already in terms of commercial value – the DAZN deal, his Cloudbet deal, another one that will actually be announced today, visibility, his podcast. The social and digital numbers of this guy in his whole podcast, they’re doing big numbers.
“But right now, in the midst of all the chaos and all that noise, you have a guy who is one of the most talked about guys on the UFC roster in Tom Aspinall. The truth. So yes, it’s important that we call, but also, what we’re doing internally, you have the fight in front of you with Cyril Gane against Tom Aspinall which is the biggest fight in Aspinall that makes Aspinall now get Aspinall of Aspinall now. He’s sitting as one of the biggest stars in the UFC.
“We’re actually driving a huge amount of value, not just for Tom, but for the UFC because they have a big fight on their hands for that, if it gets done.”
