Daniel Cormier shuts down interim lightweight title talk during Islam Makhachev’s recovery

Daniel Cormier is not in favor of an interim lightweight title fight while Islam Makhachev recovers.

Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was expecting to run things back with lightweight champion Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) at UFC 308 Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, but a hand injury has sidelined Makhachev.

Tsarukyan suggested an interim title fight in the meantime, and Cormier thinks it’s completely unnecessary considering Makhachev’s recent strength of schedule.

“You get hurt, at times. Islam Makhachev has been active,” Cormier said on “Good Guy/Bad Guy” alongside Chael Sonnen. “He fought in October (2023) in Abu Dhabi against Alexander Volkanovski. He fought in (June 2023) in Newark, (N.J). … If he was to fight in October, it would’ve been three fights in a calendar year. There is no need for an interim championship. When in the world did we start to speak titles into existence?

“Could you imagine, Chael, if when you were chasing down Anderson Silva, you go, ‘Well, I’ll fight for the interim title. He ain’t ready in six months.’ And they said, ‘OK, Chael, you get to fight Brian Stann.’ You would’ve said, ‘Oh my God, I’m about to be a world champion!’ Who does Tsarukyan fight for an interim championship? Why are we creating belts, or at least trying? It just doesn’t need to be,when the champion has fought twice in seven months and is not going to be gone for that long.”

Tsarukyan emerged as No. 1 contender after defeating former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April. Makhachev admitted he’s not too motivated to rematch Tsarukyan after defeating him in April 2019, but would fight him if offered.