Does the Interim Title mean anything at this point

[IschKabibble]

Aldo missing 5 title fights is actually not a moot point. He's not dependable. As a champion that's the worse thing to be because it holds up a division.

Also, I doubt Conor has any leverage when it comes to demanding an interim title fight. This is about the UFC trying its best to recoup the millions they spent traveling the world promoting Mr. Undependable versus Conor and the only way to still keep Conor on the main stage and give the fight as much value and meaning as possible for fans is to make an interim title fight between him and the No. 1 contender, Mendes. From a business stand point, I don't blame them at all.

Jose has fought twice per year, except for 2011, when he fought just once. Cruz was out for two and half years before being stripped of his title. That's a good example of holding up a division.

And reporters have been suggesting Conor was the one who demanded the fight be for an interim title. He was not obligated to take the Mendes fight on short notice, so he did have some leverage to negotiate.

 

[JasonThalken]

Part of it has to be the "oh crap we've been selling this fight so hard and now it's not even happening" factor too. They've got to retroactively justify all those marketing dollars somehow.


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[Wild]

Part of it has to be the "oh crap we've been selling this fight so hard and now it's not even happening" factor too. They've got to retroactively justify all those marketing dollars somehow.


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You bet it is.

And hey, if you're using Tapatalk...scrap that shit and access the site with your smartphone browser. You will be shocked - it's like posting from a PC.

 

[Son of Jockstrap]

I think this was a power play by Dana/UFC to give them justification to strip Aldo down the line if he backs out of another fight in America and award the winner of this fight the actual title. You know they're not going to schedule another defense for him in Brazil with how pissed Dana was on Sportscenter. Figure make him earn the title again to show him that it's easier if you play ball.

(Note: These aren't all necessarily my sentiments, just my postulations of the situation from the UFC's business standpoint)

 

[Wild]

I think this was a power play by Dana/UFC to give them justification to strip Aldo down the line if he backs out of another fight in America and award the winner of this fight the actual title. You know they're not going to schedule another defense for him in Brazil with how pissed Dana was on Sportscenter. Figure make him earn the title again to show him that it's easier if you play ball.

(Note: These aren't all necessarily my sentiments, just my postulations of the situation from the UFC's business standpoint)

Interesting thoughts, and highly plausible. Welcome to the boards brother. Make sure you read this thread to better help you navigate the forums: EASY GUIDE TO POSTING HERE! | The MMA Community Forum

 

[Shy Guy]

Two paper champions until the end of the year.

3 if you count Bantamweight.

 

[MMAHAWK]

3 if you count Bantamweight.

They fight in 3 weeks

 

[Shy Guy]

They fight in 3 weeks

I'm referring to Cruz.

 

[MMAHAWK]

I'm referring to Cruz.

You're right pretty much forgot about him

 

[Tiiimmmaaayyy]

Stripping Aldo was BS. He certainly ducks no one and his injury doesn't even require a long layoff. The best move would've been push the fight back so we get to see who is the real champ. If you want to get the champ off the champions podium, you should have to beat him off. Yup, I said that shit. You know what I mean. Interim belts make sense sometimes, but not every time someone has a hang nail and has to miss a couple days training.

 

[WoodenPupa]

I think this was a power play by Dana/UFC to give them justification to strip Aldo down the line if he backs out of another fight in America and award the winner of this fight the actual title. You know they're not going to schedule another defense for him in Brazil with how pissed Dana was on Sportscenter. Figure make him earn the title again to show him that it's easier if you play ball.

(Note: These aren't all necessarily my sentiments, just my postulations of the situation from the UFC's business standpoint)

Zuffa will certainly squeeze every drop of leverage out of this to pressure Aldo into doing precisely what they want. What that means exactly is hard to say, but suffice to say Dana and co. frequently burn the midnight oil thinking up new ways to play with their doll-sets, AKA the UFC roster.

 

[dacofty]

Im sure this was already in the works, I can imagine dana and conor sitting around the pool and dana says we will get you a belt even if its plastic by the end of the year.

 

[Narcosynthesis]

The UFC is pissed because they just lost a lot of money promoting a guy who has a history of missing fights. It was a huge financial gamble. I think people lose sight of what the UFC is. It's a business. The objective is to make money and show a profit at the end of the year. If his rib injury was just a fluke accident I don't think we would be having this interim title fight but Aldo has a history of getting the UFC to spend money promoting his fights and then pulling out. Aldo's management should have a clause in any fight contract he signs that clearly states he may or may not show up on the scheduled fight date.

 

[B17]

This being for the interim belt is the biggest joke....I cant even begin to understand it.

 

[jason73]

aldo should push for the fight as soon as possible so connor has to take back to back 5 rounders in july and sept/oct

 

[Darqnezz]

adjective
adjective: interim

1. 1.
   in or for the intervening period; provisional or temporary.
   
   It just means the next guy stepping in for a bit. Nothing at all wrong with it. I believe the Champ is still the Champ, & the 1st fight back is a title defense. No biggie.
   

 

[jason73]

adjective
adjective: interim

1. 1.
   in or for the intervening period; provisional or temporary.
   
   It just means the next guy stepping in for a bit. Nothing at all wrong with it. I believe the Champ is still the Champ, & the 1st fight back is a title defense. No biggie.

why make a belt and fake title then instead of having a number one contenders match?

 

[Darqnezz]

why make a belt and fake title then instead of having a number one contenders match?

Money. People pay for championship matches. Plus the guy trained to get ready for a championship fight. Its not his fault that his opponent got injured.

 

[jason73]

it doesnt make it a title fight if the champ gets injured in any other case.this is just a way to keep connor in a 5 round fight and it wouldnt be main event over a title fight if it was not for interim status.

 

[dacofty]

Ok but still an actual championship fight still should take priority over a plastic interim title fight

 

[216Zac]

Personally, I hate interim titles, and feel that if the champion is unable to defend their title, then they should be stripped of it, but when they are able to compete again, they fight whoever has "their" belt.

 

[dacofty]

Personally, I hate interim titles, and feel that if the champion is unable to defend their title, then they should be stripped of it, but when they are able to compete again, they fight whoever has "their" belt.

Yes but should be if unable to fight within a year.

 

[Wild]

Personally, I hate interim titles, and feel that if the champion is unable to defend their title, then they should be stripped of it, but when they are able to compete again, they fight whoever has "their" belt.

Agree but there has to be a standard time limit they put on it. 12 months is what I feel it should be.

 

[MMAHAWK]

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