Recently, more and more mixed martial arts fighters have taken on fighting exhibition matches against celebrities – most notably, against Youtubers. This is done mostly due to the financial gain. However, some of the athletes aren’t interested in this “style” of match-ups at all. For example, Jose Aldo.
In an interview for the MMA Fighting website, when asked if he wanted to face Youtubers in boxing matches, Aldo denied the possibility; but emphasized that he respects those who take on such opportunities.

I respect everyone for doing these fights, especially when you’re at the end [of your MMA career]. When you’re at the end, I think it’s worth earning as much money as possible, because, in general, athletes don’t manage their careers well, so they try to follow that path, and you can see that you’re earning good money. But I don’t look for it.
To me, it doesn’t make sense and doesn’t enter my head. I always fought for a legacy, I always fought to make history and to have my story told. There are people who can say 10, 20, 30 years from now: “Aldo was the greatest featherweight champion in history, went down to bantamweight and became champion too.” No money can buy that. For me, my legacy is worth much more than money.

I make money in my fights since I got into the sport and I always planned for when I retire. I don’t have to do these things [fights against Youtubers] which, for me, are humiliating. For everything I’ve learned in martial arts, everything I’ve done in the sport, to sell myself for money… No, I’m a legacy guy. I want to be in the UFC. When I finish my career as a fighter, I want to be in the UFC, I want to be in the Hall of Fame. I want to see my story told at the biggest organization in the world, not one of those circuses.