For as long as I’ve followed MMA and especially as I’ve covered it professionally, it still hits hard to hear about UFC fighters who struggle financially. How could so many of these athletes reach the highest level of the sport but still have to hold “regular jobs” just to make ends meet?

Blows my mind.

This came to light in a big way Saturday during UFC on ESPN+ 23. After scoring an impressive TKO finish of Doohoo Choi for his first UFC win, Charles Jourdain got his time on the mic.

The question from Dan Hardy:

“Obviously you were facing a guy that’s known for knockouts. Did you want to win by knockout because of that?”

Jourdain’s answer

“One hundred percent. ‘Korean Zombie’ is good for one round. I know I’m a cardio machine. First round was super tough. It was the first time I get rocked. It was super crazy. Those moments you want to give up, but you have to fight through them.”

And then came a sudden plea to UFC president Dana White:

“Also, Uncle Dana, that was a big performance for my part. I would love that $50K bonus to move out of my parents’ basement. Thank you.”

Just watch and listen to how desperate he sounds:

Isn’t that kind of sad and depressing? His voice cracked like he was about to cry. Jourdain (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) fights for the UFC, a company worth $7 billion, and here he is practically begging for a $50,000 fight night bonus. The good news, at least, is that he got it.

Hope he finds a decent place to move into.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.