JON FITCH VS. THE UFC
Success in the Ultimate Fighting Championship is defined by winning fights. This success of winning eventually crosses over into title fights, unless you are welterweight Jon Fitch. Making his UFC debut in 2005, Fitch won his first eight matches before receiving his first and only UFC title fight; losing a unanimous decision to Georges St-Pierre.
Since that loss two-years ago, The American Kickboxing Academy standout has reeled off five straight wins. However, it is his recent style of winning that isn't fan-friendly and if the fans don't like it, then Dana White doesn't like it.
So how does a fighter who has won 13 of his 14 UFC bouts only fought for the title once? Anderson Silva was given a title shot after his first UFC win and Brock Lesnar was given one after starting his UFC career at 1-1.
Fitch's lack of championship fights can come back on his predictable wrestling game plan, where he takes his opponent to the ground and keeps him there for 15 minutes. MMA fans on Internet forums have given Jon nicknames for his efforts like "Smoke Break", "Snuggie" and "Buzzkill".
Bad blood between Jon Fitch and the UFC has also emerged over the passed few years. When Jon Fitch refused to sign over his rights to the UFC 2009 Undisputed video game, Dana White and the UFC took it personal. Fitch was released from the UFC briefly in late 2008 but was signed back on shortly-there-after. All over a video game, which would have made bank whether Fitch was on the game's roster or not.
Fitch has also publicly debated Dana White back in March during the post-fight conference of UFC 111 over a potential match up with AKA teammate Josh Koscheck. Dana later said he was "sick" of teammates not fighting other teammates, which is a valid argument when two or three are fighting at the top level of the same division.
It is still unknown whether Fitch will receive a promised title shot from Dana White against the winner of Koscheck and GSP. This wouldn't be the first time the UFC has promised a fighter a title shot and then not make good on it. In their UFC 100 bout, Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping were promised a title shot if they won. After one of the most devastating KO's in UFC history, Dan was never given his title shot. Henderson left for Strikeforce later in 2009 when his contract with the UFC expired.
Could this be a future trend for disgruntled UFC fighters?
It would be an insult to Jon and the credibility of the UFC should they refuse Fitch a title shot for his next bout. Even if his style is not pleasing the majority of viewers, it's still mixed martial arts, and that's what we are paying to see.
Since that loss two-years ago, The American Kickboxing Academy standout has reeled off five straight wins. However, it is his recent style of winning that isn't fan-friendly and if the fans don't like it, then Dana White doesn't like it.
So how does a fighter who has won 13 of his 14 UFC bouts only fought for the title once? Anderson Silva was given a title shot after his first UFC win and Brock Lesnar was given one after starting his UFC career at 1-1.
Fitch's lack of championship fights can come back on his predictable wrestling game plan, where he takes his opponent to the ground and keeps him there for 15 minutes. MMA fans on Internet forums have given Jon nicknames for his efforts like "Smoke Break", "Snuggie" and "Buzzkill".
Bad blood between Jon Fitch and the UFC has also emerged over the passed few years. When Jon Fitch refused to sign over his rights to the UFC 2009 Undisputed video game, Dana White and the UFC took it personal. Fitch was released from the UFC briefly in late 2008 but was signed back on shortly-there-after. All over a video game, which would have made bank whether Fitch was on the game's roster or not.
Fitch has also publicly debated Dana White back in March during the post-fight conference of UFC 111 over a potential match up with AKA teammate Josh Koscheck. Dana later said he was "sick" of teammates not fighting other teammates, which is a valid argument when two or three are fighting at the top level of the same division.
It is still unknown whether Fitch will receive a promised title shot from Dana White against the winner of Koscheck and GSP. This wouldn't be the first time the UFC has promised a fighter a title shot and then not make good on it. In their UFC 100 bout, Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping were promised a title shot if they won. After one of the most devastating KO's in UFC history, Dan was never given his title shot. Henderson left for Strikeforce later in 2009 when his contract with the UFC expired.
Could this be a future trend for disgruntled UFC fighters?
It would be an insult to Jon and the credibility of the UFC should they refuse Fitch a title shot for his next bout. Even if his style is not pleasing the majority of viewers, it's still mixed martial arts, and that's what we are paying to see.
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