SUMMARY
- Mariya Agapova is a flyweight fighter in the UFC.
- Ahead of her bout against Luana Santos in July, Agapova is going through a financial crisis.
UFC fighters often have to face a great dilemma with regards to their profession at one point or the other. Whilst some are fast-tracked to success, there are others who spend a long time trying to make ends meet. As such, UFC women’s flyweight Mariya Agapova is one fighter that falls in the latter category.
For those unaware, Mariya Agapova made her way into the UFC in 2020 and marked her arrival in some style. That said, she has since struggled to say the least. Be it with getting wins under her belt or managing her expenses living in America, it truly has been a trying time for the Kazakh-born fighter. As such, after an inactive 2023, Agapova lashed out at matchmaker Mick Maynard for not booking her for a fight.
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Shortly thereafter, the fighter apologized and revealed that she had been undergoing reconstructive surgery in her knee. Along with that, she had also had her green card approved recently, meaning that she had only been waiting on the matchmakers for a few weeks. That said, the situation has drastically changed since then.
Mariya Agapova reveals that she is on the verge of being homeless
Previously, Mariya Agapova lashed out at UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard for failing to offer her the remaining two fights on her UFC contract. With the outburst occurring in March 2024, some would have assumed that following her apology, there would be some development on that end. Unfortunately, in a recent Instagram story, the fighter has since revealed that the situation has taken a turn for the worse.
According to the fighter, she is set to be homeless within a week, due to lack of any income. In a recent post, the fighter stated:
UFC flyweight Mariya Agopova says on Instagram tonight that “In a week, I’ll probably be homeless.”
Agopova last competed at UFC Vegas 60 in September 2022. The 27-year old complained in March of this year of being unable to secure a fight. pic.twitter.com/L3To5wNvEz
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) May 20, 2024
“In a week, I’ll probably be homeless. Are you surprised? But not me. This is a classic of my life in America. Becoming homeless right before a UFC fight. This is a f*****g classic! Next week I will be looking for a homeless shelter because I don’t trust people anymore. So since I don’t have money for rent, I live wherever I have to.”
Further, Mariya Agapova even hinted at other troubling instances of people allegedly trying to sell her off into sex slavery, behind her back. Owing to her requirements to train as an MMA fighter two or three times a day, it has been difficult for the fighter to find a stable job. Previously, whilst out with injury, she would ply her trade as a bouncer and as a tattoo artist.
Mariya Agapova UFC career, record, and earnings
All things considered, there have been many troubling stories regarding Mariya Agapova. Previously, fellow flyweight fighter and former training partner Maryna Moroz revealed more about Agapova’s life behind the scenes. According to Moroz, Agapova was kicked out of the American Top Team gym after turning up to training in a drugged state.
Not only that but Moroz, who also lived nearby, reported instances of the fighter crashing cars and being detained by the police. Currently, “Demonslayer” holds a 2-3 record in the UFC, suffering a submission loss to Gillian Robertson in her last outing. Having made her way into the UFC after a showdown with Tracy Cortez in the Contender Series, many had high hopes for the hard-hitting Agapova.
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That said, she will now take on Helena Crevar in a jiu-jitsu grappling contest at Karate Combat Pit Submission Series 5 on 30 May 2024 in Austin, Texas. This will then be followed by Agapova facing Luana Santos at a UFC Fight Night event on 13 July 2024. Both fight confirmations have been provided by the fighter on her social media.
Notably, Maria Agapova has also earned Performance of the Night bonuses for both of her wins in the UFC so far. That, considering her reported basic pay of $12,000, would bring her to about $140,000 in earnings from the UFC. Considering the living expenses in America along with the struggles that Maryna Moroz has alleged, it is clear why Agapova is in a difficult predicament.