Aldo complains about devaluation in the UFC: 'Some people earn the same as a beginner'

J.Aldo (photo) is undefeated since 2006, when he suffered the only defeat of his career. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

The subject of “salary” is still a source of contention among some UFC fighters. Even one of the organization's champions, José Aldo, expressed his dissatisfaction with his current scholarship in Ultimate, stating that he feels undervalued within the house.

In his last fight, at UFC 169, Aldo received a declared salary of US$240, half of which was his fixed purse and the other a victory bonus. This represents a much lower value than that received by the heavy alistair overeem in the same event, which took US$406 ($285 to fight, US$121 as a bonus for winning).

In an interview with the Brazilian website of broadcaster ESPN, Aldo stated that he is not completely satisfied with the situation. “I definitely feel [undervalued]. Talking in numbers is difficult. The fighter dreams of reaching a level, when he makes good money, he thinks it's valid. Nowadays I have a different mind, I've traveled the world, I have a great vision about it. At the same time as they give the business to us, they could improve this [payment]. We bring millions to the organization for the events, I am a very marketable fighter and everyone likes to see my fight”, analyzed the Brazilian.

Aldo said he sees fighters in the lighter categories being undervalued compared to the heavier ones. “We see lightweights gaining the same amount as a lot of beginners. We see heavyweights, non-champions and non-challengers, earning much more than us. This makes us a little sad, but I have to continue the battle, with my feet on the ground, I can’t lose focus,” he commented.

The featherweight champion doesn't know what he needs to do to change the situation. “We kill ourselves in training, we give our all to get there and put on a great show, bring records to the UFC. We do our best, but we don't get the recognition we deserve. Now, I don't know what I have to do, get in there and 'kill' the opponent to achieve something more, I don't know,” he commented.