It is rare to get an unrestricted glimpse into the hardships of an MMA fighter, particularly one who resides across the world in a relatively unknown region of Russia. Recently, however, Chechen native Zubaira Tukhugov revealed the difficulties fighters face to stay financially buoyant while simultaneously training to become the best fighters in the world.
According to the UFC featherweight, he has never profited from any of his three UFC wins to date specifically because of the expenses that coincide with his training.
"I've never in my life not been financially blank after a fight," Tukhugov told Lastround.ru. "In the first fight, I was in the red. In the second fight, I went to zero. Then the third was in the red for three thousand dollars. I'm trying to raise my name and my people. This is my goal, so I fight. I have a dream."
Tukhugov's expenses will only increase further over the coming months, as he plans to join fellow North Caucasus fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov at the American Kickboxing Academy starting February.
"According to the guys from AKA, my expenses will increase even more - twice as much. But I won't think about it too much. I'll make money in Moscow and then leave for the training camp."
Tukhugov is 3-0 in the UFC, including wins against Phillipe Nover, Ernest Chaves and Douglas Silva de Andrade. The Chechen made $24,000 in his most recent win against Nover.