Thiago Marreta opens up about salary issues and explains his departure from UFC to PFL

T. Marreta is a new UFC signing. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

After a streak of just one victory in the last six fights, Thiago Marreta left the UFC, but it didn't take long to announce an agreement with the PFL. The Brazilian is now one of the company's bets for the 2023 edition and opened up about salary issues, which made the difference in a 'farewell' to Dana White's organization.

“It was also the right time, at this stage in my career, to try something different. I won't be a hypocrite, of course I want the prize of US$ 1 million (about R$ 5,1 million, at the current price). Of course I want money to build my nest egg. I don't want to wait until it's too late, almost retiring, to fight one last fight and try for a lot of money,” said Marreta in an interview with the podcast 'French Exchange'.

See too

McGregor hints at moving up to welterweight, but says he's capable of knocking out Charles do Bronx

Retired from MMA, José Aldo admits the possibility of migrating to boxing

Marreta refused to talk about values, but declared that the PFL's proposal was the best financially among the nine years he was in Ultimate.

“I really want to fight. I know I can still do great things in MMA, I still have a few more years of fighting. The moment had to be now. New opportunities, better scholarship. Everything made me choose to change (…) the scholarship is financially better for me than [what I had in] the UFC. I didn’t do the math, but I’m sure it would be more than I earned all these years in the UFC,” he concluded.

The end of the Brazilian's career in the UFC was one of instability. Between 2019 and 2022, the fighter accumulated four stumbles in the last five appearances. The athlete, however, leaves the company in the top 10 of the ranking. Currently 38 years old, Marreta has 33 appearances as a professional in MMA. Today, Tupiniquim has 22 triumphs and 11 setbacks.

Mike Tyson fires back at criticism about age and sends a message to Jake Paul: 'I like…'