Apparently JDM won't get a year to defend his belt if he needs it

[Alpha_T83]

Apparently the UFC has promised Makhachev that JDM will have to defend the belt soon-ish, and "If Jack is not ready, Islam will fight for the belt. Not the interim belt. For a real UFC belt." This is according to Islam's manager Ali. This is likely some kind contractual guarantee, which the UFC would have had to give him to get him to vacate his title.

This is the kind of dumb shit that happens when Crybabies like Ilia Topuria refuse an interim title fight, and Dana White refuses to strip Jon Jones. Imagine JDM losing his title 6 months from now because he gets injured, and we get Islam vs Shavkat or Garry for the vacant title, all because little baby Topuria wouldn't take an interim title shot.

 

[The Big Babou]

I hope JDM flatlines Islam

Also, don't believe anything Ali says

 

[Luthien]

I hope JDM flatlines Islam

Let us rally around JDM

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Ali is full of shit.

 

[GluttonforPunishment]

Interim titles are exclusively used by the UFC to keep a ppv from downgrading to a worthless fight night. They dont have as many known names as they used to. So they slap championship on everything they can. Fucking stupid.

 

[spinitch]

It’s just talk but I like the concept if gets broader acceptance. Make Jones defend vs Tom among many other squatters.

 

[TheNewGame]

I'd be cool with Islam vs Shavkat later this year for the vacant belt. JDM could just fight the winner.

 

[Lee Danger]

I'd be cool with Islam vs Shavkat later this year for the vacant belt. JDM could just fight the winner.

what vacant belt???

if it's true it'll be a vile and miserable thing to do to the new champion.

 

[svmr_db]

Ali is just talking shit lol nobody is taking the belt off JDM. I'm sure he'll be ready to fight again between August - October anyways, no worries.

 

[FrappeDuRocma]

I don't believe it, and it will be a complete B.S, but since they forced Islam to vacate, it may be their new rules, for the moment.

 

[LetThemBleed]

I'd be cool with Islam vs Shavkat later this year for the vacant belt. JDM could just fight the winner.

Shavkat's not fighting this year, just had surgery, and why on earth would JDM be expected to vacate this year. Shit take.

 

[CroCopsLHK]

Man modern politics piss me the hell off. JDM just went to war and might have some facial injuries but Islam wants to call the shots from the side. Islam hasn't had to go to war for a while. Renato was an easy fight. But him and his manager want to act like he already owns the organization

But he's probably talking out of his ass like when he said he'd keep the LW belt. He should consider fighting Jack a privilege. It can go down in September or October, but this is just trash behavior as usual

 

[Fact Checker]

Good. JDM is essentially a middle of the pack guy who fought other nobodies to get an unwarranted title shot… he should be thankful and match that energy when his name is called on to defend. If he can’t defend, then he’s easily replaceable.


Ironic if he doesn’t pick up the phone as quick as he did for that charade title fight against Belal in the long line of weak WW champs since Leon.

 

[El Casualito]

I can't stand the quail egg head. Is he the new ufc ceo or something? Also saying that Islam won't fight for the belt in Perth

 

[Shaolin Alan]

Ali really knows how to rustle some jimmies!!

 

[TheNewGame]

Shavkat's not fighting this year

He expects to fight later this year.

and why on earth would JDM be expected to vacate this year. Shit take.

I just want great matchups, so I couldn't care less. Jamahal Hill and Jiri vacated, the division moved on, then they had titleshots as soon as they returned. Not a big deal.

 

[jeff7b9]

When the source is Ali...

 

[LetThemBleed]

He expects to fight later this year.

I just want great matchups, so I couldn't care less. Jamahal Hill and Jiri vacated, the division moved on, then they had titleshots as soon as they returned. Not a big deal.

So force him to vacate because he wont fight to Islam's preferred timeline? I reiterate my previous point, shit take.

 

[TheNewGame]

So force him to vacate because he wont fight to Islam's preferred timeline? I reiterate my previous point, shit take.

So hold up an entire division and miss out on guys like Islam and Shavkat fighting until next year because you think it's not fair for JDM to not be labeled the champ on ufc.com?

 

[Skarsgard]

It came from Ali. The only people less trustworthy are Dana and Jones.
Hope Islam can pull it off and retire though.