Feb 1, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) celebrates beating Ricardo Lamas (blue gloves) during UFC 169 at Prudential Center.
Feb 1, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; Jose Aldo (red gloves) celebrates beating Ricardo Lamas (blue gloves) during UFC 169 at Prudential Center. Reuters

The longest tenured champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is taking the mantle for his fellow competitors and demanding a better pay for one of the world's most brutal sports. The Brazilian mixed martial artist was blunt about how not only he is underpaid as well as his fellow fighters who risk limb and life to deliver wins.

Aldo is set to defend his title against Chad Mendes this Saturday and is using the coverage to make public how the UFC talents are way underpaid. He professes that since they do not have monthly salaries, they have to continually fight and only get a small share of the revenue. He was also sympathetic of the plight of his fellow fighters who are fired after three consecutive losses and poor showing.

"Not only me, but also other athletes deserve it," he said when asked by Globo if he is properly compensated. "We [fighters] give a lot to the company, and I think it is not as valued as it should... Nowadays the company is very large and athletes are very devalued."

The UFC featherweight champion was candid in pointing out that the outfit was getting a large share of the pie while the fighters have to scrap for pay. This is not the first time that the Brazilian fighter has criticised the league for its unjust means. Dating back to May 2014, the champion also relayed that he feels devalued with his income and recognised the language barrier given that the UFC is an American company.

He also made an example of fellow Brazilian Wanderlei Silva who chose to retire in September over contract and pay issues. The two fighters are just some of the detractors of the league which was substantiated by UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz who told Submission Radio that fighters are only getting "six percent" of the earnings.

While Aldo has repeatedly demanded for fair wage, he is still set to defend his belt against Mendes in the weekend. Scarface was the target of criticism of UFC President Dana White in an interview in February when the head honcho commented that Aldo had all the talent in the world but is holding back and not giving everything. With these latest comments coming from the Brazilian, it would be worthwhile to watch if there is any strain in the relationship.