Kazakhstani fighter Maria Agapova once sold art pieces, painted with her blood to keep her fighting career going. Many fans, however, will recognize Agapova, who is also a tattoo artist, as a former UFC fighter who has submission wins over the likes of Sabina Mazo and Hannah Cifers. But despite her run in one of the biggest MMA promotions, ‘Money Mashka’ has struggled financially.

Before her final fight at UFC Denver in July, she shared that she would be left “homeless” and would be looking for a homeless shelter in the coming weeks. She also mentioned how people have tried to take advantage of her situation.  “So since I don’t have money for rent, I live wherever I have to. People exploit me, and during this exploitation they neglect my personal boundaries and my life, including trying to sell me into sex slavery behind my back,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

However, as it turns out, Agapova’s struggles were not over as five months after her UFC release, she was homeless and seeking help. At UFC Denver, her UFC record turned 2-4 following an opening defeat to Luana Santos. This was her third consecutive loss in the promotion and she was shortly let go afterward. She has competed in the boxing ring since then, but could only conjure up a draw and defeat in her two outings, and last week she revealed she needed financial assistance.

“Today, I am staying on the street. If anyone can help, let me know,” Agapova wrote on her Instagram story. “Many people ask what happened. I fought for money all year and didn’t work.” She added, “I didn’t get much money for the last fight, and my bare-knuckle fight in December was canceled. So, I ended up on the street and without money. I’ve been in poverty for several years. Out of desperation, I signed up for bare-knuckle.”

The 27-year-old signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship hoping for an upturn in fortunes, however, her debut at BKFC on DAZN 3 got canceled last weekend after no opponent was found for her.

She also pointed out that she has refused to move to porn to make money while she continues to stay away from OnlyFans. Fighters like Paige VanZant, Hannah Goldy, Bec Rawlings, and Rachael Ostovich have utilized the platform but Agapova is not keen on going down that route.

A fan shared the Central Asian UFC prospect ordeal on X.

Back in May, she also claimed that a friend tried to get her into modeling to make money, only to discover that it was a pathway for “porn and prostitution.”

UFC fighters undergoing financial instability after leaving the promotion is nothing new. In August, Darren Stewart, a former UFC fighter called time on his MMA career, citing financial issues. In an Instagram post, he explained, “When UFC let me go I should have invested something, but instead I put all my eggs in one basket AGAIN to get back to the top and life has gotten even worse. I’ve got family, and it’s not fair on them stressing just to keep food on the table. I love fighting, and I don’t want to call it as I’m only 33, but I’m not getting any help financially.” 

UFC has often been called out for not paying its fighters enough. Classified as independent contractors, the median annual salary for UFC athletes is $51,370, but many fighters earn less than this. According to a 2024 Gitnux Market Research study, of all fighters, 43% made less than $45,000 in median yearly earnings.

After Agapova’s plight came to light on social media, fans were quick to ask Dana White to help his former fighter out.

Fans sympathize and urge Dana White to help Maria Agapova

The post on X was swamped with MMA fans expressing their worry and sympathizing with Agapova. Many even asked  Dana White to help since he is known for his generosity shown to fighters like Joe Pyfer. Pyfer had told White that he had nowhere to go and the UFC boss had given him enough money to pay for a year’s worth of rent, which Pyfer was very grateful for.

When the boss was asked about this back then he said that he helps people out whenever he can. “I do a lot of things for a lot of people that I don’t necessarily talk about,” White told journalists at the DWCS 55 post-fight press conference. “Joe Pyfer, when I left the press conference that night, he told me he was about to be homeless. So, that ain’t gonna happen.”

One fan urged Egyptian MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz to share Agapova’s plight with White so that something can be done, “I know this is not the UFC’s responsibility, but maybe  @AliAbdelaziz00 can help to reach this info to Dana White, I mean at least she was part of the UFC family.” While name-dropping the famed MMA manager seems out of pocket, it does make sense since he’s one of the most successful fight managers out there, having a roster of high-profile UFC talents like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kamaru Usman. One more

As mentioned earlier, Agapova even sold art pieces at one point to keep her career going. She also started her tattoo business to earn money when she was not fighting. Even after that, it was hard to maintain a stable lifestyle, trying to balance her business with fighting. One follower wrote, “Man, that’s f up, how is she not at least have enough money from UFC to at least survive for a year? And where is her family? Where is her gym family? holly s**t.”

A user with the handle PAM (@ParamPam1990) who uploaded the post about Agapova on X, replied, “She struggled at UFC and got cut after 3 losses. Those camps are expensive and it is a net loss till you become someone there.”

In 2020, Agapova revealed why she used blood in her artwork and it was something profound. “Why did I start to do this? Because I can. Because for me it is not a big deal to get a little of my blood and add it to the picture. I first shed my blood for seven years in the boxer’s ring, and now for four years I have been shedding in a cage, and for me, it is quite normal. My art has always been part of me, and now in my art will be part of me in the literal sense.” Her current predicament, however, left many fans upset.

One user chimed in, “So sad to know that,” while one netizen commented, “Feel horrible for her.” People also continued to ask Dana White for assistance.

A user tagged Dana White and wrote, “Uncle Dana you need to help her!.” Similarly, another user urged the UFC head honcho to provide some assistance, writing, “@danawhite do something.” Thankfully, it appears the messages and concerns of the MMA community reached the right people and Agapova provided a positive update.

She posted a mirror selfie inside the gym on Instagram with the caption, “ Thank you all so much for your support! Things are much better today.” She also posted another update, this time from the hospital, sharing a selfie and writing, “I will continue to try [to] not die.”

Well, we’re glad that she received support through an extremely trying time. We can only hope that she gains steam and momentum, and lands on her feet.