This is one of the major problems inherent in having the UFC title holder compete as a coach on the Ultimate Fighter T.V. show. It does potentially create a rivalry and make the fight more interesting for viewers of the show, but it can also put the title on the shelf for a very long time. The title is on the shelf for the duration of the show, and one injury can throw the division into disarray like we are seeing now. No one knows at this point how long Serra will be out for but if he is out for a long time the title could be out of circulation for longer then a year.  

This injury will have an important trickle down effect on title contenders such as Georges St. Pierre who was scheduled to be the first in line to get a title shot. He was already waiting in the sidelines for at least 6 months as it was. Now that the Hughes fight is put off it could mean that he will be on the shelf for almost a year if he waits for his title shot. Most fighters won’t want to inactive for such a long time so a fight between contenders might make sense at this point. BUT if a contender chooses to fight that could potentially cost him a title shot if he loses.

This injury also effects Jon Fitch and Karo Parisyan, both of whom seem to be right in the mix for a title shot as well right behind St. Pierre. It is unclear if Hughes will still be fighting on the card but a month out from the fight it is unknown if anyone will want to step in on short notice. One of the big three of St. Pierre, Fitch, or Parisyan could step in but will they get a chance? Will they even want to take the chance? Will someone else step in? With 4 contenders including Hughes it might make sense to have them fight each other. One thing is for certain, this injury has major repercussions on this division, probably the deepest in the UFC and the champion will not have defended it for a long time. This is all speculation at this point but depending on the severity of the injury, an interim title may even make it’s way to the welterweight division.