In the world of combat sports, championship vacancies vex me. They’re also part of the game, regardless of how much it just bugs me to lose the cleanliness of a clear top dog. 

The champ wants to test him/herself in a different weight class? It’s only natural, and it’s increasingly common in the UFC.

Does the conquering hero want to go out on top? Hey, it’s happened before, much to the dismay of Father Time.

Long-term injury or health issue poised to keep the belt out of rotation for a while and a champion unwilling to be a burden? You see it from time to time, unfortunately.