Geane Herrera can’t afford to train

UFC flyweight Geane Herrera entered the UFC with an 8-0 record.

His first fight in the Octagon, a decision loss to Ray Borg just over a year ago on August 8, 2015, netted him $14,900 ($10,000 to show, $2,400 from Borg for missing weight, $2,500 Reebok sponsorship). His second fight, a 2nd round TKO of Joby Sanchez taken on short notice in December netted him $22,500 ($10,000 to show, $10,000 win bonus, $2,500 Reebok sponsorship). And his most recent a fight, a decision loss to Ali Bagautinov in June, grossed him $14,500 ($12,000 to show, $2,500 Reebok sponsorship).

That is a total of $51,900 in about a year. However, when you back out expenses and taxes, not much is left. In fact, Herrera appeared recently on MMAjunkie Radio, and said he didn’t have enough money to train.

I’d like to start off by saying I absolutely love the sport of mixed martial arts, said Herrera as transcribed by MMAjunkie. But unfortunately right now I’m in a situation in life where I can’t even pursue training at this moment. So I’m just busy busting my ass, trying to catch up on bills.

I pray to God that is not permanent, because I don’t have much going for me other than fighting. But I’m really far behind on bills. I don’t even have a car – I have to get around on a motorcycle. So I’m just trying to get my life together, trying to provide for my son. And then I’ll start paying my coaches and make my way back into the gym.

Herrera does not feel short changed by taking fights on short notice.

Going into the UFC, I think every fighter knows that now there is a trend that you have to be able to get these last-minute fights,” he said. “And not only get them but be able to perform in there. So staying ready is just one of those things that fighters do nowadays. Short-changed? I wouldn’t call it that, I would just call it part of the business. And like any mixed martial artist, we just have to be ready for when that call comes.