Din Thomas, like many others in the MMA community, was shocked by Jake Paul’s response to some of the crucial moments at UFC 278. Jake Paul has made some controversial statements on the UFC 278 fight card.
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Jake Paul on UFC 278:
Following the shocking conclusion of the fight, in which Leon Edwards defeated Kamaru Usman to win the welterweight championship. Paul posted a number of tweets making fun of Usman. The unbeaten boxer made fun of the co-main event between Paulo Costa and Luke Rockhold, calling it “embarrassing”. He claimed that if he faced either of them, it would be “easy money.”
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Din Thomas’ Statement:
Thomas isn’t entirely sure what Paul was trying to achieve. He repeatedly criticized the UFC for fighter pay and seemed to be against the promotion of fighters’ rights.
Who’s side are you actually on?
It’s very contradictory, right? Whose side are you actually on? ” Thomas said. “He’s in a position where he might be the most popular fighter around.” He and Conor might be the most popular fighters, and he’s done a lot for combat sports. You can’t take that away from him. He’s done a lot for combat sports — for women, for men, boxing, all of that — he’s brought a lot of attention to combat sports and to the fighters, but a lot of times, it’s for the wrong reasons.
“On one hand, you’re trying to get everybody paid. You cancel your show but you still pay your fighters half the money. That’s a good thing. A lot of promoters wouldn’t have done that, but he did—I guess maybe to save face, but he’s got the money. But the reality is, in terms of standing up for fighters, he’s not standing up for fighters.
Thomas defends Usman
“When you go on there and you rip a guy like Usman, and then you’re ripping legends like Luke Rockhold, dude, what are you doing?” Thomas continued. “You just came out [in the game]. You’re 24 years old. I’ve been fighting longer than he’s been alive, and he’s dogging people. He’s dogging fighters. “
Thomas Coached Tyron Woodley
Thomas has coached Tyron Woodley, a former UFC welterweight champion and two-time opponent, for a long time, so he is undoubtedly familiar with the YouTube sensation-turned-pro boxer. Both of their boxing ring encounters in 2021 saw Paul prevail, including a brutal knockout victory in their second fight this past December.
Thomas can see how Paul, if he really wanted to, could make a difference in the fight for fighter rights and pay. He believed that it ought to be for competitors heading toward the main event rather than UFC fighters.
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Thomas’ reply to Jake Paul
“If you really want to help and you think fighter pay is bad, continue to run your shows, and continue to pay fighters more,” Thomas said. In the grand scheme of things, in the world of MMA, not the world of UFC, but the world of MMA, UFC fighters are fine. They are doing just fine, and most of them are happy. Maybe a couple of them aren’t, but most of them are happy, most of them are lucky, and most of them are blessed to be in the position they’re in. Because when you’re not in the UFC and you’re still putting your body on the line, still training like you’re fighting in the UFC and your health is still on the line, and the risk is still the same in these other organizations, you ain’t making no money.
“That’s who Jake Paul needs to help, not the UFC guys.” Don’t go to the UFC guys and say they need help. UFC I see guys at the [Performance Institute] getting free food, free medical care, free resources, they get taken care of. It’s these guys at these other shows that are making $1,000 a fight, or still getting beat up for a couple hundred bucks. Those are the ones Jake Paul needs to take care of. Don’t worry about the UFC guys, or dog them, worry about the guys on the regional scene, or these undercard shows that are making no money. “
