Just mentioning the words "interim title" is enough to stir debate in mixed martial arts. The UFC has, at times, created interim championships seemingly for the sole purpose of selling a pay-per-view event -- and perhaps has devalued its title belts and undisputed champs in the process.
So you can imagine the initial response when the promotion booked two interim title fights to headline UFC 236 on Saturday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. That word "interim" stuck out like a sore thumb. Two sore thumbs.
But as Saturday has come around, so has public opinion on the decision to create two interim belts.