Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt has appealed to the UFC to establish better support systems for fighters transitioning out of the sport, highlighting the financial precarity of the career. Entry-level fighters earn between $12,000 and $20,000 from the organisation, supplemented by performance bonuses, yet operate as independent contractors without access to pensions or traditional health insurance. This arrangement forces many athletes to continue competing through injury simply to maintain income, creating a difficult choice between career longevity and financial survival.

Garbrandt cited recently retired fighter Dustin Poirier as a cautionary example, noting Poirier's public struggles and arrest for alleged drunkenness earlier this year despite his distinguished 16-year career and substantial charitable work. Garbrandt defended Poirier against media criticism, framing his difficulties as a human response to the psychological and economic shock of leaving a lifelong pursuit that suddenly ceases to provide income or sponsorship opportunities. The underlying tension reflects a broader structural challenge: most aspiring MMA fighters never achieve sustainable earnings, leaving even successful competitors vulnerable when their competitive years end.