UFC lightweight Chris Padilla broke down in tears after missing out on a life-changing bonus.
The 30-year-old stretched his win streak to seven fights with a second-round TKO win over Ismael Bonfim at UFC Fight Night 111 early this morning.
And an emotional Padilla used his post-fight interview with Paul Felder to beg the UFC brass for a post-fight bonus.
He said: “I need money, more than anything, bro. I’ll fight anybody, but I need to be able to take care of my family first.
“It’s hard to sleep at night knowing that my people are struggling.
“So please, guys, give me that $50K. I took the guy out, [he] missed weight and I stepped up like a real professional.
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“So please, help me help my family.”
Padilla wasn’t the recipient of one of the Four Performance of the Night bonuses and cut a devastated figure after explaining his urgent need for money.
He said: “I was just calling and my brother answered the phone.
“Unless you want to see me cry, I’m going to go over it just a little bit because that topic hurts me every time.
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“I’ll sacrifice anything for them, any day. I love those people. My mom’s given me everything growing up.
“I’m going to die out there for her. Everything that hurts on me doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt as much as seeing my mom struggle.
“I’m grateful. God is good. I’m so grateful to come out and put my heart and soul, my blood, everything.
“My spirit is burning, my heart is pumping and my lungs, they breathe it deep so I was ready for anything, anytime.”
MMA fans couldn’t help but sympathise with Padilla’s situation, with one saying: “In the most individualistic sport, the athletes get the lowest percentage of revenue.”
Another said: “These fighters are not paid adequately.”
And another said: “Pay the man, Dana White.”
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One remarked: “Dana White, give this man some money. It won’t hurt your pockets.”
Another chimed in: “Damn, what a good guy.”
