MMA News Roundup: Conor McGregor responsible for low fighter pay, former UFC fighter graduates police academy, Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury pushed back
Welcome to today's edition of Sportskeeda's daily MMA News Roundup, where we present the biggest UFC updates and other stories from the world of mixed martial arts.
In today's issue, we talk about a former fighter becoming a police officer, Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury being further delayed, and more.
#3. Could Conor McGregor be why the UFC hesitates to pay their champions more?
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie where the most talked-about topic was Francis Ngannou's controversial exit from the UFC, Ben Rothwell pointed out how Conor McGregor might have jeopardized the payday of other fighters.
The former UFC heavyweight heaped praise on 'The Predator' for doing what he did and said he believes it should mean good things for all fighters across promotions. Speaking about the notion fans have of UFC champions being multi-millionaires, Rothwell noted that nothing could be further from the truth.
Conor McGregor is undoubtedly the biggest star the promotion has created so far. Such is his draw that despite a near-two-year hiatus and countless tweets, the Irishman possibly coming on The Ultimate Fighter again still becomes the biggest news of the week.
From competing outside the company to stretching USADA protocols, the Dubliner remains the only fighter for whom the UFC seems to be bending their rules. Rothwell believes accommodating such "crazy demands" from McGregor has taught the promotion a lesson and they have refrained from giving any champion much of an elbow room for requests ever since:
"I'm pretty sure the UFC, after what they went through with him, are never gonna let that happen again. Be a wild man, being crazy, making the demands, getting the crazy pays that he got. They don't want that. Anything that hurts the pocketbook... The sh*t's gonna come to a stop with that. That means fighters are gonna suffer. It means fighters aren't gonna get what they deserve."
Watch the interview below:
#2. Former fighter Jimmie Rivera is a police officer
After six years of competing as a top bantamweight contender in the UFC, Jimmie Rivera signed with the BKFC in 2022. He has now added another feather to his cap by graduating from the police academy in Passaic, New Jersey.
Elmwood Park Police shared a post on Instagram warmly welcoming the fighter to their family. The caption revealed that Rivera will serve his training period next. Resharing the post, Rivera penned a heartfelt message on his journey to this moment.
Rivera has been training men and women in the police on the different forms of self-defense and de-escalation without the use of tasers or firearms. The New Jersey Police Department and Rivera collaborated on the matter following the concerning death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer.
#1. Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury changes the date yet again
It looks like Jake Paul and Tommy Fury will face each other a day later than originally planned.
The third attempt to match the two ended in a February 25 bout in Saudi Arabia, as confirmed by Ariel Helwani. However, Helwani has now reported that it could take place on February 26.
The Jake Paul x Tommy Fury fight is likely ending up on Feb. 26, sources say. Was originally scheduled for Feb. 25. Expect an announcement shortly.
Jake Paul recently posted a cryptic tweet asking fans to "hold your horses" because "the man's having a baby." It is very likely he was referring to Tommy Fury expecting a child with his girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague.
However, it is interesting that the reports of the schedule change came a day after Floyd Mayweather announced his bout against Aaron Chalmers on the same date - February 25. Many are speculating if Paul vs. Fury is being postponed to avoid a clash between the two events.