Jessica Bate-Estaca reveals that she needs to sell UFC equipment to pay the bills

J. Andrade has two wins in a row. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook UFC

Jessica Andrade will have her 14th fight in the UFC against Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 228, in Dallas, on September 8th. In an interview on “Media Day”, the Brazilian revealed that she would like to wait for the confrontation with the strawweight champion, Rose namajunas, but accepted the fight with the Polish woman because she needs money. 'Bate-Estaca' revealed that sometimes he needs to sell his Ultimate equipment and even bakes homemade cakes to supplement his income.

“I'm generally a strong person and I don't show anything to others, even if I'm going through some difficulties, not even to my master (Gilliard Parana). I get along well, Fernanda and I, my mother-in-law. Sometimes we bake a cake and sell it. It's sad that we have to sell our training equipment, things we got into fights that are a good reminder of what we had there, but then we'll get new things,” said Bate-Estaca.

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Part of the fighters' difficulty is the difficulty of sponsorship in MMA and this occurred after the partnership between the UFC and Reebok in 2015. Since then, the organization has not allowed athletes to use personal sponsors on their uniforms or on banners with these brands on the octagon grid. However, the supplier pays each fighter for wearing the uniform at each event.

One of the Brazilian's main complaints is the lack of sponsors interested in investing in MMA fighters and a lack of interest on the part of the government in encouraging sports.

“I think it would be great if we had greater encouragement from the government and the city in sports. Not just in fighting, but there is a lot left for all sports. It would be great if we had this support from people, from business owners, to say “let’s help”. Even if it’s just 500 reais, because 500 reais makes a huge difference by the end of the month”, said Andrade.

Even with the financial difficulties, Bate-Estaca does not complain about the payment that Ultimate makes to athletes. In his most recent fight where he won Tecia torres No. UFC Orlando in February this year, the Brazilian woman received almost R$400.

“I have nothing to complain about with the UFC because I get paid very well at the UFC. I think you get paid according to your work, and I think that's really cool. That's why I want to be fighting all the time, to show that I'm the best, that I'm evolving, because the more you show, the more you get paid', explained Jéssica.