D. White revealed that he will distribute interim belts as long as he deems it necessary. Photo: Reproduction/Youtube ufc
UFC president Dana White announced that he will maintain his decision to offer interim title fights in any category as long as he deems it necessary. The announcement was made at the press conference shortly after the UFC 236, in Atlanta (USA). Last weekend, two 'non-linear' belts were put on the line in two big fights: lightweight (up to 70,3kg) and middleweight (up to 83,9kg).
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“I'll tell you why I'm going to take another swing at the idiots who don't like provisional belts, there's probably some of you in this (press) room too: here's the reality. Have you ever imagined if the fight Israel adesanya against Kelvin Gastelum was it just a three-round fight?” asked the 'boss'. “Even the (Dustin) Poirier fight. If it wasn't a five round fight. This title means something to them,” White said.
Dana made a point of highlighting the importance of the fight for the athletes, who fought real battles in the last two fights of the event. The clash between Gastelum and Israel, for the president, goes down in history as one of the greatest duels he claims to have seen in his entire life.
“When you go in there and there's a belt on the line, you know what's coming. Because now Israel is in the spotlight. He's a pretty boy. Israel Speaks very well. He became a star tonight. People are going to talk about this fight for a month,” Dana said.
The UFC president explained the logic of offering interim belts instead of waiting for lineal champions to be available to fight. In the case of lightweights, the linear belt belongs to the Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov, who should return to the octagon in September. Robert whittaker He is the lineal middleweight champion, and remains out of fights as he is recovering from injuries. The marriage of the struggles of UFC 236, for White, it makes sense, as all four fighters wanted the fights and the belts.
“Do you know how much Israel and Gastelum wanted this fight? Watch. Watch the fight. That's how much they both wanted this. There is something at stake. If you are Adesanya and you are ready for the title, but you would have to wait for Kelvin to face Whittaker and, to do that, you would have to wait for Whittaker to return from injury. Now, Israel has the belt and doesn't need to wait for Gastelum. Doesn’t that make sense to anyone?” asked White.
Dana White guaranteed that the two winners of the main fights of the UFC 236 will make their next fights for the linear titles of their divisions. The story will only be different if one of the competitors has to leave future cards for some special reason.
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