The true measure of A(lpha)-side is being so great that the B(eta)-side voluntarily gives up their title rather than face you. Any definition based on popularity, PPV numbers, etc. is just middle-school level nonsense.
Handing over a belt to another fight must be the most B-Side action a fighter could take. Being the recipient of such action must also be an irrefutable indicator of an A-side fighter too.
It's like watching a show about animals that live in packs like wolves or something, where a beta animal willingly defers to the alpha animal with a physical gesture of submission. This is exactly the same thing.
Exactly. People will remember this when he dies someday, they'll think "Oh yeah, the guy that ducked that Russian guy 'cause he was so scared to fight him......" It would've been better if he'd have just come out and admitted it, saying something like "Look, I can't beat this guy so I'm not gonna fight him. I'm going back to 154."