If there is one recurring trend in the UFC today, it is the abundance of interim title fights. And so far, it has garnered mixed reactions from both fans and fighters alike.
For fighters like Dominick Cruz and Khabib Nurmagomedov, interim titles are almost nonsensical, since the “fake belt” could “take away the appeal” of the actual title. But for welterweight contender Neil Magny, it actually bears a couple of advantages.
“I’m a fan of when the UFC decides to go with the interim title bouts,” Magny told MMAjunkie. “For one, it gives the champ a rest and lets them enjoy being a champ. Two, it sets the stage to hash out that true No. 1 contender. We’ve seen in the past where guys are ranked No. 5, No. 6, No. 7 – and they get a title shot over guys who are ranked No. 1.”
Case in point, the UFC set up an interim title fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Colby Covington for UFC 225 in June, since Tyron Woodley’s return date remains indefinite. For Magny, it was actually a rational move to make to avoid clogging up the division because of Woodley’s absence.
“Woodley did his job, he defended his title four times within 12 months, and now that he’s injured, he can step away from the sport a little bit and deal with injury,” said Magny. “In the meantime, don’t clog up the division. Don’t let these guys wait around for you to come back. Let the division continue to keep moving by having an interim title fight.”
“Now guys can go out there and earn more for their families and themselves and their future. Now he doesn’t have to rush to recovery and try to get back if the doctors think he needs to come back later.”
Magny is currently scheduled to co-headline the UFC’s upcoming Liverpool event on May 27th against Gunnar Nelson.