FORMER UFC CHAMPION ANDRADE WORKS AS DELIVERY DRIVER WHILE INJURED

Jessica Andrade, former UFC strawweight champion, has been working as a delivery driver to earn additional income whilst recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during her loss to Loopy Godinez in August. The Brazilian has not competed since that fight. Speaking on the Brazilian MMA podcast Direto de Vegas, Andrade said she delivers meals and other goods through a mobile application. She also stated she has begun a landscaping project at a friend's house, involving removal of rocks, laying grass and painting fences.

Andrade has fought 30 times in the UFC since her debut in 2013, winning 17 of those bouts. She became champion in May 2019 after defeating Rose Namajunas. In previous interviews, she has described financial difficulties: in 2018 she said she sold UFC merchandise because she struggled to secure sponsors, and in 2023 she stated she fought five times to pay for her divorce. The following year she accused former coach Gilliard Parana of withholding money from her; Parana denied the allegations.

Andrade is not the only UFC fighter to supplement income through outside work. Former flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja worked as an Uber Eats driver in 2021, including before major fights. The UFC distributes approximately 20 per cent of its revenue to fighter pay, substantially lower than boxing's typical 60 per cent share. UFC president Dana White has defended fighter compensation by pointing to pay increases since 2001. The discussion intensified after boxer Conor Benn signed a reported £11 million contract for a single fight with Zuffa Boxing, which White owns.