“When Masvidal and Diaz fought for this title, I thought it was stupid, and I still think so,” the American said in an interview with Cageside Press. “However, to the fans who call this stupid, I will say that ultimately the UFC gives one more fighter the opportunity to win and still receive a percentage of pay-per-view sales. This belt, like the temporary one, is on paper a championship belt. You are a champion in the eyes of the UFC, and when you are a champion in the eyes of the UFC, you get paid differently.”
“So the UFC is throwing us the bone that we keep asking for but never getting, and I’m grateful to them for this opportunity. Moreover, this championship belt is the only one in the world and looks cool. I think it’s partly a show, but the UFC threw the bone and I’m grateful to them for that.”
Recall that the lightweight fight between Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier will be the main event of the UFC 291 tournament, which will be held July 29 in Salt Lake City.