Michael McDonald's future with UFC uncertain; working 2nd job to pay bills
Being a top-10 fighter in the UFC isn't exactly a gateway to fame and fortune as Michael McDonald has discovered.
"Mayday" currently sits at No. 8 in the promotion's bantamweight contenders' list and once challenged for the divisional championship, but injuries kept him out of action for over two years and he's still feeling the effects of that inactivity.
Like most fighters, the 26-year-old McDonald is at the mercy of the UFC's matchmakers and if there are no fights, there is no income. He managed two bookings in 2016, winning one and losing one, and was hoping that another match would be arranged in December to keep him afloat.
As it stands, McDonald is currently working a second job to pay the bills and save up for when he has to prepare for his next bout.
"I'm trying to make enough money right now to pay my bills and still have a little savings for a camp," McDonald told ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "And it's tough because I don't know if camp will be perfect and I don't know if I'll pay for one, only to have my opponent back out. It's always iffy."
The cost of training has been so severe that McDonald says he's lost his home and had to return to living with his parents. He cites the unpredictability of the sport as a major reason for why the average fighter's payday isn't enough.
"Let's say I have $20,000 in the bank," McDonald said. "I think I'm good, start working my butt off, get injured, and need surgery. By the time I get healthy, now I've got $5,000. What happens if I get injured again? I've had three hand surgeries and taken two years off before. You go into a lot of debt doing that."
The dutiful McDonald has withheld from criticizing the UFC's policies until now, but he's reached the point where honesty isn't going to have an effect on his bank account either way.
"For the longest time, I haven't wanted to say anything about this," McDonald said. "When people open their mouths and talk about how they're not paid enough, it seems like they disappear. I'm to a point now where I have nothing to lose. The UFC isn't paying my bills as it is.
"I will continue to fight and I will become a UFC champion," McDonald continued. "This is my dream. I want to live my dream. I'm pretty sure I could be a doctor and make better money. I have the intelligence. Being a fighter has always been my dream. If this is what it takes, I'll do it."