Twitter Mailbag: Contender Series in limbo, Dana White and Scott Coker swapping jobs, and more

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in MMA or the sport in general? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here – and this week it’s to answer:

• If Tony Ferguson beats Justin Gaethje at UFC 249, will the UFC still book Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor next?
• Who will be UFC champions come Jan. 1, 2021?
• If UFC president Dana White and Bellator president Scott Coker swapped places, which two fighters would each bring with them and why?
• In the midst of uncertainty, what’s the future of Dana White’s Contender Series?
• With new UFC events being booked, will the promotion still implement backup fighters to fill in, if necessary?

Those are answered in the video above. You can also read on a few more topics below.

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Will we see more fighters like Stipe Miocic and Michael Chiesa say publicly they won’t fight during the pandemic?

UFC heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic and welterweight contender Michael Chiesa recently said they don’t plan on fighting until things become more normal in the world. They aren’t alone, however. Numerous UFC fighters have echoed them including Dominick Reyes, Aljamain Sterling and Jimmie Rivera.

I don’t think it’s fair to group all fighters together. Some fighters are willing to fight during the pandemic. Others are not. It’s pretty split.

Whether you believe it or not, I think UFC president Dana White telling his fighters they will not be pressed or asked further questions about declining fights during this time period went a long way – and it was authentic. The UFC hasn’t taken kindly to fighters turning down bout offers in the past, but this is different. They get it. The fighters get it. As a result, I expect more fighters to speak their minds.

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Should the UFC sign Combate Americas bantamweight fighter Marcelo Rojo?

The simple answer is yes. However, I’m not sure of Marcelo Rojo’s contractual status with Combate Americas. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Rojo, give him a Google search. A finisher through and through, check out Rojo on YouTube when you get the chance.

I’m going to tweak your question a little.

Will the UFC sign Marcelo Rojo?

Doubtful. According to numerous sources, the UFC isn’t interested in signing off-roster fighters at this time. Barring last-second replacement opponents or winners on Dana White’s Contender Series, the promotion isn’t offering up a contract to anyone unless it has to. The pandemic hasn’t changed that. The UFC wants to utilize its roster at this point in time.

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Why do people complain fighters aren’t getting paid when they themselves don’t contribute to the financial pot?

I’m not sure this question was asked expecting a serious answer, but I’m going to give one.

Fans complain about fighter payment regardless of their personal contributions to the product. Illegally streaming pay-per-views excluded, they’re largely correct.

The financial responsibility of paying fighters (or lack there of) falls strictly on the promotion. Sure, fans can back the product as a whole with pay-per-view purchases, product purchases, and event tickets. That doesn’t take away from the fact MMA fighters receive a smaller amount of the pot when compared to other major sports.

To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.