Top 5 inspiring rags to riches tales in MMA

#3 Jose Aldo

Aldo had a difficult childhood growing up in Brazil

The newly promoted UFC featherweight champion’s climb to the MMA summit has been one that is perhaps the most admirable on the UFC roster. Aldo had a tough childhood and barely knew where his next meal was coming from. The Brazilian grew up in the favelas of Manaus, relying on others to financial support of his dream.

When Aldo was in the WEC, the promotion's general manager Reed Harris once recalled an anecdote of Aldo’s struggles, “They were telling me that Wagnney Fabiano would be at the gym, and José would show up, and Wagnney would say, 'Have you eaten today or yesterday?' If not, they would go get him some food. That's how poor he was.”

Thankfully Aldo has rebooted his former faith of being utterly poor and climbed the ranks to be one of the most dangerous and dominant featherweights of all-time.

Before losing to Conor McGregor in 13 seconds at UFC 194, the Brazilian had not lost a professional fight in a decade. His average earnings were an estimated $400,000 and a cut of the $1.2 million pay-per-view revenue. He successfully defended his featherweight crown seven times during his reign.