Tom Aspinall’s anticipated UFC heavyweight title clash with Alex Pereira could face complications over fighter pay, following Eddie Hearn’s entry into negotiations as the champion’s new manager.

Aspinall, who is recovering from double eye surgery after injuries sustained against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321, is targeting a return against Pereira or Gane, who will square off in June’s upcoming card at the White House in June, with the former representing a potential superfight that has already drawn attention due to its financial implications.

Hearn, who will now handle Aspinall’s business dealings, has signalled he will push the UFC for significantly improved terms ahead of any bout with Pereira, saying, “If you do Tom Aspinall against Pereira for the world heavyweight championship, respect the guy, will you?” according to Pro Boxing Fans.

He added, “If there is $100 million in the pot, don’t give me a million. He is the defending champion. It’s a joke,” and warned, “They are going to have to do something. They are in a bad, bad situation at the moment.”

The promoter’s stance follows his review of Aspinall’s previous UFC earnings, which he described as unexpectedly low compared to boxing purses, stating, “I’ve been able to read those contracts and I’ve been able to talk to him about the purses that he’s received.”

“The reality is that when he was headlining in front of 20,000 on pay-per-view, he was receiving probably half the amount of money that I would pay a boxer for a British title fight at York Hall, Bethnal Green, in front of 1,200 people,” Hearn said, before adding, “I was absolutely baffled and astonished. Completely unfair.”

With an interim champion set to be crowned in Aspinall’s absence, negotiations for a Pereira fight are expected to intensify upon his return, with Hearn’s involvement potentially introducing a new layer of complexity to discussions with the UFC.