Ex-UFC Champ Andrade Works as Delivery Driver
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- Jessica Andrade says she works as a delivery driver through an app, delivering meals to make extra money while she recovers from a shoulder injury suffered in her last fight
- The 34-year-old Brazilian has not competed since losing to Loopy Godinez last August, and has fought 30 times in the UFC since her 2013 debut, winning 17
- Andrade is also doing a landscaping project at a friend's house — removing rocks, laying grass and painting fences — telling a Brazilian MMA podcast: "I'm not afraid of hard work"
- In 2018, Andrade sold her UFC clothes, backpack and gloves because she was struggling to get sponsors, though she added she was "paid really well" in the promotion
- In 2023, Andrade said she fought five times to pay for her divorce, and the following year accused former coach Gilliard Parana of withholding money from her; Parana denied all allegations
- The UFC distributes about 20% of its revenue to fighter pay, compared with roughly 60% for boxers — a gap resurfaced after boxer Conor Benn reportedly signed an £11m one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing, owned by UFC president Dana White
Why it matters: A former UFC strawweight champion turning to gig-economy delivery work gives a named, human face to the abstract fighter-pay debate: the UFC distributes roughly 20% of revenue to fighters versus about 60% in boxing, and Andrade has previously disclosed fighting to fund her divorce — context that sharpens the contrast with the reported £11m deal Conor Benn just signed with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing.
