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In response to my fellow columnist Frank Hyden's editorial earlier where he contended the UFC Interim Heavyweight Title is a ploy to sell two title fights on UFC 111, he must have completely forgotten about the severe illness Brock Lesnar is still recovering from.
Earlier this year, the return of Brock Lesnar was still just speculation and his career was in jeopardy due to his battle with diverticulitis. As recently as December, Brock Lesnar was down 40 lbs. and was staring down potentially career-ending surgery.
The creation of an interim championship was necessary at the time that the Frank Mir-Shane Carwin fight was made. We all know what this fight is, and we all know the belt they are fighting for is meaningless. After that fight, going forward, there will be no mention of the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship because it will be irrelevant.
The idea that this was some sort of ploy to boost PPV sales is a ridiculous one, and even Mr. Hyden was quick to dismiss it. Also, it doesn't pad the resume of Shane Carwin or Frank Mir much at all. No one is really confused by interim championships.
We all know why they exist, and especially in this scenario. It's not even as if the winner of Saturday's fight will defend the meaningless hunk of gold they win. It reminds me of Georges St. Pierre trouncing Matt Hughes at UFC 79. Yes, it was for the UFC interim Welterweight Championship, but in most people's minds, Georges St. Pierre lost to Matt Serra, won a few fights, and then dominated Serra to win his belt back. No one was confused by the title he won by defeating Matt Hughes, and history corrected itself.
Considering both fighters have dismissed any value in the championship they'll be awarded should they come out victorious, I'm any confusion caused by it's existence will be minimal.
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