UFC Featherweight champion, Jose Aldo, is not only focused on his upcoming fight with Chad Mendes; he recently talked about his thoughts on fighters' salaries.
The Brazilian doesn't believe competitors are making as much as they should. Earlier this year, in an interview with Combate.com, he said he felt that the UFC "devalued" him, MMA Fighting reported.
"I asked for financial valorization not only for me, some other fighters should have to," Aldo said. "We give a lot for the company. I've seen this happening in the past, athletes were highly valued, and the company was not that big. Today, the company is very large and athletes devalued."
The 28-year-old fighter added that wins play a huge role in the value fighters have in a promotion, according to Bloody Elbow.
"If you're fighting well, you are valued by the company. But you are fired if you lose three straight fights," Aldo said. "It's hard to talk about numbers. You can watch Wanderlei Silva and Dana White discuss numbers. I'm employed by them, I can see their side. But we'll always seek for valorization."
Aldo has also voiced his displeasure with earning less than fighters in the heavyweight division (including non-champions and those not fighting for the title), but did not give any names, MMA Fighting reported.
He made $240,000 ($120,000 to show, $120,000 bonus for winning) in his fight with Ricardo Lamas in the co-main event of UFC 169, while Alistair Overeem, who co-main evented the pay-per-view, reportedly made $407,143 ($285,714 for showing up, $121,429 bonus for winning) in his fight.
"We aren't monthly paid, that's why we have to keep fighting," Aldo said. "We always try give the best of us in training to go in the cage and have a good performance, thus giving millions for the company. We always want to have part of these millions."
Aldo's fight with Mendes will take place at UFC 179 this Saturday, Oct. 25, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.