Jose Aldo is increasingly vocal about UFC fighter pay.
The UFC featherweight champ—and one of the best two or three fighters in all of mixed martial arts—is again airing his grievances over what he perceives to be excessively low pay for UFC fighters, particularly when compared with their boxing counterparts.
Aldo made the comments Friday during a Q&A session in Barueri, Brazil, where the UFC will hold UFC Fight Night 58 Saturday. The comments were originally reported by Portuguese-language site Ag Fight and subsequently translated by Bloody Elbow.
"We make a lot less money than we should," Aldo reportedly said. "We deliver shows and should be well paid. We virtually pay to fight. To become a boxer is complicated but would be very good."
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This marks at least the third time in 2014 that Aldo has expressed public frustration over fighter pay during interviews with the Brazilian media. He complained in the spring, noting particularly low wages for his fellow lighter-weight fighters.
Then in October, on the eve of what became another successful title defense for the champ at UFC 179, Aldo again brought up the sensitive subject of money, noting that fighters "want to have part of these millions" that the UFC brings in.
The UFC has not historically looked kindly on athletes in its organization who complain about their level of compensation. Hence, not a lot of active UFC fighters do so publicly and openly. Aldo (25-1) is an interesting exception, and he appears to be in a pretty solid position given his status as one of the world's very best.
The comments also come on the heels of a huge announcement earlier this week that three fighters are suing the UFC over issues, including low fighter pay.
Aldo is the UFC's first and only featherweight champion, and he has not lost a professional fight since 2005. Following his victory over Chad Mendes at UFC 179, Aldo reportedly received a total purse of $290,000.
It is unclear whether or how the UFC will respond to Aldo's comments.
