Tom doesn't have much choice as Jones is inactive. and though its unusual that an interim contender has to defend high position, i think this is to maintain his position ready to fight whenever Jones comes back.
Dana will probably keep him fighting someone else maybe Stipe and then Gane or even Lewis until Dana gets the desired outcome. Curtis is never easy to begin with.
Yeah, the first choice for Tom was Cyril, but he couldn't make it as he'll be shooting some film or something, so Curtis stepped in instead.
Dana has already confirmed that Jones will be fighting Stipe next, which is an odd situation as the undisputed champ should be fighting the interim champ immediately after his return from an absence.
So, depending on when the Jones Vs Stipe fight will take place, Tom's next opponent would either be Jones (assuming both of them win their fights) or probably Gane.
If Jones refuses to fight the interim champ after the Stipe fight, he would almost certainly be stripped of the title.