https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGIxvN4PlV0&feature=youtu.be&t=1h1m36s
Conor McGregor may be referred to as a UFC champion now but even his biggest fans would have to admit that there's something a little bit hollow about that. The 'interim' featherweight title that McGregor won against Chad Mendes may be trotted out whenever McGregor is on the promotion circuit but it's difficult to really call him a champion when he hasn't defeated Jose Aldo.
Nonetheless it's a great promotional addition for the UFC and it's something their going to continue with. However, that's something which Joe Rogan is having none of.
During his podcast this week, which you can see above, Rogan and guests were talking about how strict weight classes and belts are possibly hindering UFC from reaching it's very best. McGregor's interim title was then used by Rogan to demonstrate how that might well be the case.
Belts are bullshit. Who cares. It’s the best fighters versus the best fighters. We all know who the best fighters are, right? Have the best fighters fight the best guys. when you beat the best guy, you’re the best fighter.
Let’s be honest. McGregor has an illegitimate belt. It’s a made up belt. We call it the ‘interim’ belt but Aldo defended his title a year ago. Stripping a guy because he can’t get through a camp without getting injured is a part of MMA. It’s always been a part of MMA.
But, because of the marketing, because of the hype behind it, because of the huge event, the enormity, the economics of the event, they decide to make [McGregor vs. Mendes] an interim fight. He’s got a title. Aldo’s got a title.
Wouldn’t it be better if they just fought? We know how big Conor is. We know how big Aldo is. Let’s go fight, guys.
Perhaps Rogan has a point about the interim title but he's surely stretching things a bit in looking to do away with belts entirely.
Via /r/mma
