One year after his UFC debut, Axel Sola has already fought four times and pocketed several financial bonuses. But the 29-year-old fighter from Nice hasn’t changed his lifestyle. His main purchase remains an ice cream machine, chosen to optimize his nutrition while treating himself.
Four fights in just over a year. Since his UFC debut, Axel Sola has been stringing together appearances in the octagon. The Nice fighter started with a victory against Northern Irishman Rhys McKee at Bercy, before losing to Welshman Mason Jones following a fight disputed in London in March. At the end of July, the Boxing Squad member then submitted Brazilian Ismael Bonfim in Abu Dhabi, before scoring a KO against Farès Ziam at UFC Paris about ten days ago.
This intense year also allowed him to pocket several bonuses representing approximately 100,000 dollars, in addition to his contractual income. The latter were renegotiated upward during the summer, before his co-main event against Farès Ziam.
Yet these earnings have not led to a radical change in the habits of the Nice native. No luxury cars or big spending. Axel Sola even explains that he is already thinking about the future rather than multiplying purchases.
A little icy treat for Axel Sola
« It hasn’t changed my life, because I’ve never really had money problems, confides the former Ares champion in an interview with Jab Life. I’m not rich, but I’m not poor either. I’ve never been in need. After that, my lifestyle doesn’t change. I didn’t buy myself a car or anything that costs a lot. I’m thinking more about starting to prepare for my retirement. »
The gift chosen by Axel Sola is therefore far from the expenses usually associated with an athlete’s first big earnings. The Nice fighter treated himself to an ice cream machine.
« An ice cream machine. A Ninja Creami », he reveals. A purchase that also responds to a logic related to his daily life as a fighter: « It’s really relevant for a fighter because a simple scoop of whey protein, if you put the right ingredients with it, you can really make something delicious out of it. And your 120 calories of whey will last ten to fifteen minutes to eat, so it makes the meal last longer. It allows you psychologically to feel like you’re eating even if you’re not. And besides, I like ice cream! »
The machine, sold for around 300 euros depending on the model, is therefore one of the few purchases made with these new revenues. An expense that fits the fighter’s eating habits, particularly when he has to manage his weight before a fight. Already back in training for several days, because « the phases between fights are the times when I eat the most and have the most energy, so I can make more progress », details the Maralpin. This investment, which might seem futile, should allow him to continue his progression toward the top of the UFC.
For the future, Axel Sola is however considering devoting part of his revenues to a few trips. The sports schedule remains a priority, however, with an end of year devoted to technical work: « To travel with my girlfriend, with my mom. To go train abroad, that kind of thing », says the Nice fighter.
But there’s no question of cutting completely with training. « I see myself doing three-four days of rest after putting in heavy work over two-three weeks of training rather than really taking a big break, because I have a lot on my plate », says Axel Sola.
The end of the year should thus allow the fighter to continue his technical progression without necessarily returning to the octagon too quickly : « So there’s a way to combine business with pleasure, because these little vacations will be relevant for recovering between intense and voluminous blocks. »
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