Sanctioning body rules are like the bible, they can convert and stretch the meaning to fit any circumstance they want.

At the very very least, they should have Vitali and Peter fight for it. I mean if they are willing to ignore rankings 1 through 10, why not just ignore the current champ and give Vitali the belt.

Under their regulations, a fighter can retire instead of fighting up and coming dangerous fighters, and just come back whenever a weaker champion comes along.