[Bread]

Former number one UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch was today handed his walking papers for refusing to sign an agreement that would give the promotion exclusive lifetime video game rights to his name and likeness, MMAmania.com can exclusively confirm.
Christian Wellisch — who also didn’t ink the paperwork — was also released. Others who do not sign the agreement could also be let go in the future.
Fitch and members of his camp were not immediately available for comment on the startling development.
While the full details are a little murky at this time, Fitch was apparently approached about the issue when he turned in his signed bout agreement to fight Akihiro Gono at UFC 94: “St. Pierre vs. Penn 2″ on January 31. And when he and his representatives attempted to negotiate the video game deal it was all or nothing.
He didn’t sign it and was terminated shortly therefafter.
Fitch — who is tied with Royce Gracie and Anderson Silva for the most consecutive wins in UFC history (eight) — recently lost a gutsy unanimous decision to welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” on August 9.
The former Purdue University wrestler just returned from a trip to Thailand to refine his Muay Thai and stand up skills. For the time being he may have to now put those skills to the test outside the Octagon for the first time since 2006.
He’s among the top 170-pound fighters in the world and should land on his feet sooner rather than later. Talk about a big loss for the UFC … and Jon Fitch.
More on this breaking exclusive news as soon as we receive it. Hopefully cooler heads soon prevail.


Up until his last fight, this guy was pure money for bettors. Seems like a petty thing for the sides to not agree on.

[Bread]

And Koscheck could be next.

[THE_LOCKSMITH]

wow just heard an interview with Fitch on Sports Rage. I'm a Dana white defender usually when it comes to who he choses to sign to the UFC and his style of running the UFC. But from what i've heard what they did to Fitch just leaves a really bad taste in my mouth "exclusive lifetime video game rights" who would sign that stuff over. incredible!!!

[JoshW]

This could lead to some type of anti-trust cased against UFC. If not that maybe a union.

I am with you Locksmith, usually I like Dana's style, but this is BS.

[Bread]

Especially for such an accomplished fighter. To just let him go over this. Wow.

I know he has a full stable, but sometimes it's about treating people like people.

[supershark]

I have never been a supporter of Dana White, and now it will never be a possibility. What an absolute moron, you cant cut your second best WW because he wont be your ****ing slave. I really hope the ferritas let this goon go. Or people start tuning into Affliction PPVs so I dont have to go feed Danas over-inflated ego by watching the UFC.

[Bread]

You fkrs wanna fkn leave? I don't fkn care! Fkn leave then! Fkrs!

-Dana White

[teaserpleaser]

It sucks the way the UFC treats the lower fighters... The UFC contracts sucks i know about 20 good solid UFC prospect fighters who wont sign those 3 year slave labor ultimate fighter tv show contracts. Now AKA wont sign over the Video game rights and they are going to Cut Koscheck, Cain Velasquez, Fitch and others. Losing Cain Velasquez will cost the UFC guys a young stud he WILL be a champ one day.

[teaserpleaser]

Dana White is an idiot.... somebody else needs to take over the "Face" of the UFC he sounds like a jackass always dropping F bombs... what other major sports president talks like him, Acts like him, hes a big child.

[teaserpleaser]

Originally Posted by JoshW

This could lead to some type of anti-trust cased against UFC. If not that maybe a union.

I am with you Locksmith, usually I like Dana's style, but this is BS.

there will never be a union in MMA... it needs to happen but there will always be guys fighting for 250 -500 guys signing bad contracts. No shortage of fighters. I've seen guys fight for 50 dollars and a t-shirt and there are tons of them now thanks to the Tv show.

[THE_LOCKSMITH]

well thatrelease was short, Fitch is back in the UFC
"Communication kind of broke down with Dana (White) so we talked with Lorenzo. (I) just got off the phone with him and we came to an agreement. We’re going to move ahead and I’ll be back in the UFC. We’re going to sign off on the video game and I’m back. It was never even about the agreement or the contract. It was the approach that we felt Dana was being a little bit hot-headed and was threatening us right off the bat. It didn’t seem like a professional way of doing things"

[Bread]

LOL......wow.

[The HOFF]

OMG! This scared the shit out of me. Thank God Fitch is back. I love everything about the UFC except White.

[vassman86]

lol reading that was like "wtf is dana doing?! this is a catastrophe!" I'm a big fan of Dana, I enjoy watching his aggressive approach of dealing with shit; the stuff he says is hilarious.

[Chi_archie]

Who would trade their life for Dana's for the next 5 years?

[goldengoat]

dana can be funny even though he's got a bit of the big head

[The Seer]

White is turning into another Vince McMahon having guys sign their lives away. When the UFC bought Pride it basically turned it into a monopoly. This cheap crap is the sme reason we probably will never get to see Fedor Emelianenko kick the shit out of Brock Lesnar.

[Willie Bee]

Originally Posted by JoshW

This could lead to some type of anti-trust cased against UFC. If not that maybe a union.

Don't pretend to know a thing really about the UFC, but I think you hit the nail on the proverbial head with the 'union' bit Josh. This will at least lead to White and the UFC losing something ($$$) in a new labor agreement. If he chooses to hard-head that, he'll end up losing something more than a little cash.

About the only thing I can really tell you about the sport is what I've learned to scratch the surface recently, and it's a fast-growing sumbitch. And the people who are buying the PPV stuff, or keeping bar owners happy on the PPV nights, they are watching the individuals and not Dana White. Don't blame the guy for protecting his interests, but he could be sitting on an even bigger cow if he just gives some of it away right now.

[Bread]

At the very least, you can't treat your premier fighters like that. Fitch has been a winner and a big draw for Dana. A little respect is due.

He's back now, so all good I guess??

[purecarnagge]

There xbox game has been developed for about 2 years now... and is due out in May.

Its a pretty big deal to the UFC. There just doing what the NFL does... How is it any different?

[AMBlai01]

Dana needs to be knocked down a peg. His ego is getting a bit too big. Hoping another one of these organizations can get a lot of these premier fighters and teach White a bit of a lesson when he sees the revenue flowing in another direction.

[flyingillini]

He was back within 24 hours. It was posted all over sherdog during the whole thing...

[Victor]

Dana White is a jerk...How can a promotion simply let go of a top fighter...This is bizarre...