Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt has called on the UFC to offer greater support for fighters to help their transition into retirement.
According to figures released by state athletic commissions, the UFC pays about $12,000 (£8,960) to $20,000 (£14,900) to its entry-level fighters.
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The UFC also offers win bonuses as well as $50,000 (£41,000) performance bonuses.
Fighters are also classified as independent contractors and are therefore not entitled to benefits like pensions or long-term health insurance.
Garbrandt, 35, is nearing the end of his mixed martial arts career as he prepares for his 23rd fight at UFC 329 on Saturday.
“I don’t know how many years I have left in the sport, but I pray that God lets me stay healthy, intact, and I can leave on my own terms,” Garbrandt told MMA Junkie.
“I think a lot of fighters don’t get that opportunity. They have to fight because they need the money. They have to fight injured. It’s tough.
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“I wish the UFC did a little more in helping us out with that – healthcare, insurance, 401K (an employer-sponsored retirement plan in the US). It’s scary to leave something that’s secure and you’ve chased your whole life, and then it’s done and those paychecks don’t come in, those sponsorships don’t come in.”
Garbrandt cited Dustin Poirier, who retired from MMA last year following a distinguished 16-year career, as a fighter that has struggled to adapt to life after hanging up the gloves.
Former interim lightweight champion Poirier said in June that he is “at the point where I need some help” after being arrested for alleged public drunkenness.
“I feel for Dustin. I get choked up just thinking about it because he’s such a good dude,” Garbrandt said.
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“People are just ridiculing him in the media for one slip up. This dude has done so many amazing things inside the sport, outside the sport, the foundations that he’s done, how many people he’s helped in his life.
“Hey, man, you made a mistake. It’s happens. We’re humans. We’re not perfect. It’s tough to see because Dustin is such a good dude deep down. He had one little mistake.”
UFC 329 full fight card & running order
Main card from 02:00 BST:
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Conor McGregor v Max Holloway – welterweight
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Benoit Saint-Denis v Paddy Pimblett – lightweight
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Cory Sandhagen v Mario Bautista – bantamweight
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Brandon Royval v Lone’er Kavanagh – flyweight
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Bobby Green v Terrance McKinney – lightweight
Preliminary card from 00:00:
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Robert Whittaker v Nikita Krylov – light-heavyweight
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Gable Stevenson v Elisha Ellison – heavyweight
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Cody Garbrandt v Adrian Yanez – bantamweight
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Luke Riley v Kai Kamaka – featherweight
