UFC Should Make Machida-Rockhold Interim Title Fight If Belfort Turns It Down

Vitor Belfort and Chris Weidman were scheduled to meet at UFC 184 for the UFC Middleweight Championship, but an injury to Weidman forced the champion out of the event.

Following UFC 183, UFC President Dana White confirmed that the UFC had offered Belfort an interim championship fight against Lyoto Machida. He turned it down according to White.

Turning the fight down in itself is not an issue. It would make sense that Belfort would choose to wait for the undisputed champion, but White said that Belfort actively pursued an interim title fight at UFC 184 to remain on the card. So, why turn down the fight against Machida?

At the post-fight press conference White said that they will in fact offer Belfort one more fighter for an interim championship bout at UFC 184. The UFC president failed to mention who it would be, but with Machida out of the picture, the only name that appears likely is Luke Rockhold.

It's a fight that makes sense. Rockhold dropped his UFC debut to Belfort when the former UFC champion landed a spinning heel kick. Since that fight, Rockhold has looked outstanding. He has won three straight—all finishes.

If Belfort turns that fight down, he should be stripped of his title shot.

Did he earn the right to challenge Weidman? Yes. By winning three straight fights—in 2013.

He has not seen the cage in more than a year, and the division has progressed nicely in his absence. When Belfort was active, the division was thin. It was Anderson Silva, Weidman and nobody else. Since that time, other contenders such as Rockhold, Jacare Souza and Yoel Romero have emerged. All have impressive wins to their credit.

Why should they be penalized with waiting around while Belfort turns down fights? Title fights, that is. The UFC never tried to give Belfort another contender's bout. The company put a title in front of him, and he turned it down. If he does it again, why should it hold up other contenders for his prima donna ego?

If Belfort turns down the next interim title fight offered to him, the UFC should tap Machida and Rockhold as the interim championship bout. The fight is already scheduled for April as a UFC on Fox headliner. Imagine that fight now being deemed for a title.

It would be a huge Fox main event with the inclusion of the title. No longer is it merely just a contender's fight; now the winner is an interim champion and jumps Belfort for the shot at Weidman.

Nothing is set in stone. Nor should it be. The UFC attempted to give Belfort exactly what he wanted. It offered him an interim title fight at UFC 184, and he declined. The promotion should be under no obligation to stick with him as the next title contender. Other fighters are more active and have their own legitimate claims to being the top contender.

Machida vs. Rockhold is an amazing fight that is only enhanced by the interim title being up for grabs. And the UFC can flex its muscle by showing it is serious by telling Belfort it is moving on if he declines the next interim bout offered to him.

Belfort vs. Rockhold and Machida vs. Rockhold are two fantastic interim title tilt options to have in the UFC's back pocket. The decision should be up to Belfort. Fight, or lose your title shot. The inmates don't run the asylum.