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what is interim champion in ufc

An interim champion in the UFC is a temporary champion who holds a belt when the real (undisputed) champion can’t defend their title for a while due to injury, illness, contract issues, or other long absences.

What does “interim champion” mean?

In simple terms:

  • The division has a real champion, but that person is unavailable.
  • The UFC creates an interim title fight between top contenders.
  • The winner becomes the interim champion and holds a belt while the undisputed champ is out.

The word “interim” literally means “in the meantime,” so this champion is meant to fill the gap, not permanently replace the undisputed champ right away.

Why does the UFC use interim titles?

The UFC does this mainly to keep a division active and marketable instead of putting everything on hold.

Typical reasons:

  • Champion has a long-term injury or illness.
  • Champion is in contract or money disputes with the UFC.
  • Champion is suspended or otherwise unavailable.
  • The promotion needs a title fight to headline a big card after a champion pulls out.

This way:

  • Contenders still get chances at “title” fights.
  • Rankings and storylines keep moving.
  • Big events still have a championship on top.

What happens next? (Unification & upgrades)

Once the undisputed champion can fight again, the UFC usually books a unification fight :

  • Interim champion vs undisputed champion.
  • Winner becomes the undisputed champion and there’s only one belt again.

Other outcomes:

  • If the undisputed champ retires or vacates, the interim champ is often promoted to undisputed champion.
  • If politics, timing, or injuries block unification, the UFC may strip the inactive champ or simply elevate the interim champ and move on.

How do fighters and fans see interim belts?

There’s a bit of debate, especially in forums and fan discussions.

Common viewpoints:

  • Serious achievement: You beat elite contenders, you carry a belt, and you’re seen as the clear number-one contender.
  • Marketing tool: Some fans feel the UFC sometimes uses interim belts mainly to sell pay-per-views or “save” a card when the real champ can’t fight.
  • Stepping stone: Most agree it’s a strong claim to the real title, especially if it leads directly to a unification bout.

A good way to picture it: the interim champion is the “1A” champion, waiting to settle the argument with “1B” (the undisputed champ) when circumstances finally allow.

Quick recap (ELI5 style)

  • There is a real champ, but they’re out for a while.
  • UFC doesn’t want the division to stop, so it creates an interim belt.
  • Two top fighters fight for that belt; winner = interim champion.
  • When the real champ comes back, they usually fight the interim champ.
  • The winner of that fight becomes the only (undisputed) champion.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.