Former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade has been working as a delivery driver to supplement her income as she recovers from a shoulder injury. Andrade, 34, has not competed since sustaining the injury in her loss to Loopy Godinez last August.
"I work as a delivery driver. I deliver meals and things like that. I just pick up orders through an app and make the deliveries," Andrade stated on the Brazilian MMA podcast Direto de Vegas. "I do whatever it takes. I'm not afraid of hard work. I can do just about anything."
In addition to delivery work, Andrade has also taken on a landscaping project at a friend's house, involving tasks such as removing rocks, laying sod, and painting fences. She sees this as a potential additional income stream should she need it. "If I'm good at this it becomes one more thing I can add if I ever find myself short on cash. We need some extra money," she explained.
This is not the first time Andrade has faced financial challenges related to her fighting career. In 2018, she reported selling UFC merchandise, including clothes, a backpack, and gloves, due to difficulties securing sponsorships, despite earning a substantial amount from fights within the promotion. In 2023, she fought five times to finance her divorce. The following year, she accused her former coach, Gilliard Parana, of withholding funds, an allegation Parana denied.
The financial situation of UFC fighters has been a subject of public discussion, particularly in light of lucrative deals in other combat sports. For instance, boxer Conor Benn reportedly signed an £11 million one-fight contract with Zuffa Boxing, a company owned by UFC president Dana White. Reports indicate that the UFC allocates approximately 20% of its revenue to fighter pay, whereas boxers typically receive around 60% of their event revenues. When confronted with criticism regarding fighter compensation, White has highlighted an increase in UFC fighter pay since 2001.