The UFC has always been known for its thrilling fights and intense rivalries, but one aspect of the organization that seems to be plagued by controversy is the interim title history. It’s no secret that the UFC has often resorted to creating interim titles for the sake of marketing and promoting big events. However, recent events have once again brought this issue to the forefront, with allegations of Jon Jones holding up a potential fight with Tom Aspinall.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, an interim title is created when the current champion is unable to defend their belt due to injury, illness, or any other reason. This interim title is then contested by two top-ranked fighters, with the winner being crowned the interim champion until the original champion is able to return and defend their title.
But it seems that the UFC’s interim title history has always been cursed. From controversies surrounding the creation of interim titles to champions being stripped of their belts, the interim titles have often caused more harm than good. And the recent allegations of Jon Jones holding up a potential fight with Tom Aspinall only add fuel to the fire.
It all started when UFC President Dana White revealed that the organization was looking to book a fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. However, Jones quickly shut down these rumors, stating that he was never offered the fight. This led to speculation that Jones was holding up the fight, possibly due to financial reasons.
But UFC insider, Ariel Helwani, has set the record straight, stating that Jones has not been offered the fight with Aspinall. In fact, Helwani revealed that the UFC is currently focused on booking a fight between Jones and current heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. He also added that Jones is not holding up any potential fights and is simply waiting for the right opportunity to return to the octagon.
This clarification from Helwani highlights the problem with the UFC’s interim title history. The organization often creates interim titles without a clear plan in place, leading to confusion and speculation among fans and fighters alike. And in this case, it has caused unnecessary drama and allegations against one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
But it’s not just the confusion and drama that makes the UFC’s interim title history cursed. It’s also the fact that interim champions are often stripped of their belts once the original champion is able to return. This not only diminishes the value of the interim title but also undermines the hard work and dedication of the interim champion.
One of the most infamous cases of this was when Conor McGregor was stripped of his featherweight interim title after winning the lightweight belt. This decision not only caused controversy but also left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans and fighters alike. And it’s not just McGregor, as many other interim champions have faced a similar fate.
But despite all the controversies and drama surrounding interim titles, there have been some success stories as well. The most recent being Charles Oliveira, who won the interim lightweight title and went on to become the undisputed champion after defeating Michael Chandler at UFC 262. This shows that interim titles can serve their purpose and lead to great success for fighters.
In conclusion, the UFC’s interim title history may be cursed, but it’s not without its successes. However, the organization needs to have a clear plan in place when creating interim titles and avoid creating unnecessary drama and confusion. And as for the allegations against Jon Jones, it’s important to get the facts straight before jumping to conclusions. Let’s hope that the UFC can learn from its past mistakes and make the interim titles a positive aspect of the organization.
