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Aspinall’s Leg Kick Challenge To Hearn

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Apr 6, 2026 8:26 AM ET

UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall released a new vlog on his YouTube channel documenting a “press day” with Matchroom, where he wanted to kick Eddie Hearn.

The following video below shows Aspinall proposing his infamous “dead leg challenge.” When Aspinall tried to sweeten the deal by telling Hearn he could choose the intensity, Hearn stood firm by confirming that he had no interest in taking part: “I’ve got a brain. Are these people idiots or something? You’re gonna let the UFC world heavyweight champion kick me on the leg? I’m not even getting paid for it.”

Tom Aspinall asked Eddie Hearn if he could throw a leg kick at him for his YouTube channel, but Eddie refused

When asked why, Eddie said:

“Because I’ve got a brain. Are these guys an idiots or something? You’re gonna let a UFC heavyweight champion to kick you on the… pic.twitter.com/8m3cM2bKha
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) April 5, 2026

Hearn pointed to a previous injury as the primary reason for his hesitation. “I’m not getting a broken snapped cruciate again, because that one’s been snapped. He jokingly added that he would only consider it for a massive payday: “You want to give me a couple hundred grand or a million? I’ll do it.” Instead, the task fell to Matchroom’s Global Partnership Lead Callum Ruane. Aspinall delivered a kick that sent Ruane stumbling, while Hearn watched safely from the sidelines.

This follows after Matchroom signed Aspinall to handle his commercial, digital, and legal representation outside of the cage. The goal is to leverage Hearn’s promotional machinery to turn the UFC champion into a global star. Hearn has been vocal about Aspinall’s current UFC earnings, recently claiming that if Aspinall’s business was handled like boxing, he would be making “10x as much money.”

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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