Former UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes has stated that he will be making much more money than what the UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made in his last title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Chad Mendes is a three-time UFC title challenger. He last fought Alexander Volkanovski on December 29, 2018, at UFC 232. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. Following the loss, Mendes announced his retirement from the sport. In August 2021, it was announced that Chad Mendes was released from the UFC contract and had signed a multiple-fight deal with the bare Knickle Fighting championship.
Chad Mendes talks about his BKFC Paycheck
Chad Mendes is now ready to make his debut against Joshuah Alvarez in a lightweight bout on February 19 at BKFC: Knucklemania II. Ahead of his BKFC debut, Chad talks about the pay difference between the UFC and BKFC. Chad Mendes also said that his debut fight will decide his fighting future.
“It’s one of those things that’s gonna either be a lot of fun, or I’m gonna hate it,” Mendes told MMA Junkie.
He also said that he is going to make more money than the UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
“I’ll put it this way: I just saw what the UFC heavyweight champion of the world just got paid, and it’s gonna be more than that,” Mendes said. “It’s pretty crazy. I feel blessed for sure.”
Chad is sure that he doesn’t see himself going back to the UFC.
“Man, it’s very profitable,” Mendes said of fighting for BKFC. “I’m getting paid well for the fight, and I’m doubting that with the sponsors alone. It’s crazy. That was such a big moneymaker for us in the UFC (before the exclusive Reebok deal). Obviously not everybody, but people who knew what they were doing and could promote and actually get out there and do what they needed to do to get those, it was great.”
“It’s a great way to make a big income without having to do much, just getting logos on shorts, helping these companies that I already work with. I’ve worked with a lot of companies in the outdoor industry for the last six to eight years, and it’s just expanding our relationship and getting something new. Instead of just social media stuff, now we’ve got social media, a fight platform, and some cool marketing on shorts. I think it’s just a win-win for everybody. It’s exciting, the ability to do what we were able to do in this fight, for sure.”
“I think so,” Mendes said. “Obviously if I’d stuck with it, I’d obviously be making more money now. But from when I left until now, how much more damage would I have been putting myself through for how much more money? I think it was a smart move. This is a really cool opportunity that kind of fills that competitive gap that I still have, and it’s a great way to make money in a very short amount of time.”
HIGHLIGHTS
- Chad Mendes will be making more money than Francis Ngannou
- Chad is not planning to go back to the UFC
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