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[Fe1]

UFC 154 marks the return of Georges St-Pierre to the welterweight division. It's a moment that is highly anticipated by MMA fans but they should also cheer for the return of Carlos Condit.

Condit, the interim-welterweight champion hasn't competed since defeating Nick Diaz for the belt back at UFC 146. That's a nine month span from Condit winning the belt and unifying the titles at UFC 154.

It also goes completely against the idea of an interim title.

Interim titles were made with the idea of keeping a division active while the current champion is unable to continue. The UFC made an interim heavyweight title back when Frank Mir couldn't compete due to his motorcycle accident and when Brock Lesnar was ill.

Recently Renan Barao won the UFC's interim bantamweight title after Dominick Cruz tore his ACL. He, like Condit, is choosing to wait for the real champion to return to injury before competing again.

I understand the business side of waiting for the champion to return as the interim belt means nothing if you don't beat the guy who's at the top of the division. In Condit's case specifically I get that he wants to wait for GSP due to basically being handed a title shot on a silver platter due to Diaz's actions.

But if you're going to compete for an interim title, the UFC and other promotions need to make a stipulation that the belt must be defended at least once. It causes a logjam at the top of the division which is the same issue that caused an interim title to be created.

If the promotions have to make sure the interim champ gets another number one's contender bout I'm fine with that but it makes no sense to create an interim title that won't be defended. In the nine months of GSP and Condit being on the shelves we've seen a number of title contenders emerge that likely missed a chance (and possibly their only chance) at receiving an UFC title shot.

The UFC as always will likely need to take the initiative and help provide a blue print for other promotions to follow. Luckily for fans, Dana White has a history of doing what he believes is best for business regardless of how fighter's feel.

UFC: Interim Titles Need to Come with a Stipulation That They Must Be Defended | Bleacher Report

[Y2JUBAE]

I agree. It's nothing but a permanent #1 contenders spot, and as we've seen before, Dana is quick to strip someone of that spot for doing things like, I don't know, turning down fights? That stupid imaginary interim title does nothing but guarantee there won't be any fights in the near future for whoever has it.

[Leucoethiops]

Yeah this not defending interim belts is ridiculous. There may as well not be an interim belt. Just declare the bout winner the #1 contender, and leave it at that....

Wait, that might not sell as many PPVs.

[kalebarker]

There should only be an interim title if it is unsure is the champ is ever coming back like Mir. Not when it's a matter of when the champ comes back like GSP and Cruz.

[LefthookStcrook]

I dont know, I kind of like the idea of earning a title shot. IMO, the Interim title is just that, a #1 contender spot, locked in. Once you got it you shouldnt have to risk fighting and losing just to appease(sp?) the fans.

Teams in other sports dont make it to the finals only to have to play another team, and if they lose back down the ladder for them.

...But on the other hand, if you're really the #1(or #2) guy, then you should have no problem and all the confidence in the world to take on the #3,4,5 guy or whatever... And if said interim champ, took fight with said #3,4,5 guy and lost, then he wasnt really ready for the real champ was he?

Im on the fence with this one lol.

[Leucoethiops]

Originally Posted by LefthookStcrook

I dont know, I kind of like the idea of earning a title shot. IMO, the Interim title is just that, a #1 contender spot, locked in. Once you got it you shouldnt have to risk fighting and losing just to appease(sp?) the fans.

Disagree, because you're saying an interim champion is just a #1 contender. An interim champion is the champion of the division, for all intents and purposes.

You don't get a championship belt for being the #1 contender. You get a championship belt for being the active champion.

To me, an interim champion refusing to defend their belt, is like a non-interim champion refusing to defend their belt, because they want to wait for a different #1 contender.

[Fe1]

Barao and Condit are paper champions. A true champion fights whoever is put in front of him and doesn't pick and choose his oponents. If you aren't willing to fight and defend your "title" then you're not doing your job and you don't deserve to have the belt.

[SWIFTboy]

I agree with the title but would like to take it a step further. As such...

Titles Need To Come With The Stipulation That They Must Be Defended.

Fixed.

[the_dark_angel_4ever]

While I do agree they should be defended more often then they are, keep in mind fighters like Barao and Condit surely get extra money from sponsers for holding a belt, even an interm one.

[Fe1]

Originally Posted by the_dark_angel_4ever

While I do agree they should be defended more often then they are, keep in mind fighters like Barao and Condit surely get extra money from sponsers for holding a belt, even an interm one.

They also get paid for defending it.