Mixed martial arts is a business, sometimes in business, you have to make tough decisions. I’ve never had to fire or inform someone that their services will no longer be needed, but I can imagine that’s the worst part of any job.

Most fighters that get released from their contracts are in no hurry to heap words of praise at their former employers. Some fighters use their release as motivation and eventually end up back on the big show, some fighters fade into obscurity, and some fighters just stay downright pissed off.

Cageside Press caught up with recently released Oluwale Bamgbose (who fits into that third category) to talk about his release, what’s next, and why MMA fighters are so criminally underpaid.

The ‘Holy War Angel’ had a rough go in the UFC, going 1-4 in the premier MMA promotion; ultimately leading to his release late last year. “They [UFC] don’t give a f**k about you,” Bamgbose said regarding the UFC churning and burning their fighters.

“I shouldn’t have fought my last fight, I wasn’t 100-percent, I wasn’t even 70-percent,” Bamgbose said. “But I was afraid that if I pulled out they would let me go, I honestly felt like that.”

Agree or disagree, that’s the way Bamgbose felt. Job security was not the only issue the Nigerian had with the organization. The payscale was a big issue as well.

“Its bulls**t, they [UFC] make all the f***ing money and us fighters don’t get paid s**t. Some guys make $16k, s**t some guys don’t even make $8,000 to fight. That’s f***ed up.”

Oluwale Bamgbose is not alone when it comes to his feelings about the business. Many other fighters feel the same way, they just haven’t been as vocal as Bamgbose.

So now that the ‘Holy War Angel’ is no longer cashing Zuffa checks, the 30-year-old is ready to start the next chapter of his life, “Honestly, I just want to take some time and work on me,” said Bamgbose. “I don’t need to fight, I choose to. I’m educated I have college degrees, I fight because it’s the purest thing I can do to challenge myself and to have someone treat you the way they did me? F**k that.”

It doesn’t sound like Oluwale Bamgbose plans on ever competing for the UFC again, but they’re not the only game in town. Bellator is always a fitting destination for those who are disgruntled with the world’s biggest MMA organization.

“No, I haven’t [talked to Bellator] yet,” Bambose said. “But I would be open to talking with him [Coker], but like I said, right now I’m taking some time and working on me, but I’d be open to that for sure.”

Bellator could be a perfect home for the ‘Holy War Angel’, but no one knows what the future holds. If I was a betting man I would say we haven’t seen the last of this Nigerian-born New York fighter.

The post Oluwale Bamgbose: “Us Fighters Don’t Get Paid S**t” appeared first on Cageside Press.

Oluwale Bamgbose and Paulo Costa got into it at the weigh-ins yesterday, and settled the score in a back and forth fight on the UFC 212 main card. It had a weird start though, as Bamgbose was forced to clip his toenails before the contest.

Oluwale Bamgbose winged a right hand to kick things off, and Paulo Costa answered with a left. Bamgbose caught Costa with a haymaker, and the Brazilian beckoned him forward. Bamgbose shot for an unexpected takedown and got Costa to the canvas temporarily. Bamgbose followed Costa up, landed several hooks and then a double leg. Costa popped back up and was tripped up by a leg kick.

Costa began to open up with kicks of his own, digging into Bamgbose’s body. Bamgbose glanced at the clock as his hyperactive style caught up to him cardio-wise. Costa caught Bamgbose with a leg kick then a beautiful flurry that had Bamgbose on the ropes. Costa unloaded with hooks to the body and head. Bamgbose answered with combos of his own and then landed a takedown with 30 seconds left. It was a good opportunity for Bamgbose to catch his breath.

Bamgbose was energetic to start the second round. Landing kicks early on and pushing forward. Costa’s left hook was working well to counter the forward movement of Bamgbose. Bamgbose threw up a high kick and Costa landed a leg kick simultaneously, knocking Bamgbose to the canvas. Costa followed him to the ground and unloaded to his guarded opponent. Eventually, a right hand snuck through and Costa only needed a few more to cause Big John McCarthy to stop the contest.

Costa scored another huge KO in his second UFC appearance, this time on a pay-per-view main card. Costa called for a top-10 opponent in his next one, which might be a tall order in a loaded middleweight division.

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