This is the one story that boils my blood to no end. It blows my mind how the UFC can be hiding a guy of Fitch’s caliber. I know this just isnt me either, b/c any discussions we have here on Fitch is almost overwhelmingly in his favor. The fact that they feed Karo Burkman (Who Fitch manhandled) is laughable. The ONLY way they can make this right is give him Diego next (win or lose b/c Fitch has already said he wont fight Koz b/c he trains with him). It would make sense being that Hughes get’s St Pierre next (No i dont think Serra can win) and if Diego wins they could bill it as “a teammates revenge” match with Fitch. Also I wouldnt mind seeing him fight Serra next too, but he would absolutely destroy him too. I think Diego, Fitch, St Pierre, and Hughes are the cream of the crop. So if they feed Fitch another bum in another match we cant see on ppv itd be the biggest tragedy of this yr. Their cheating us fans out of one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. It makes me like FItch that much more b/c he doesnt bitch, hes doesnt whine, he just beats down any1 he faces. Regardless they cant hold him back for long, b/c we all know who he is and sooner or later Silva and Dana are gunna have no choice b/c Fitchs skill is undeniable.

Good article and raises once more the question behind the matchmaking of Joe Silva. We’ve seen some bad fights due to him, from foreseeable boring matches to bad matchups that risk fighters careers.

I certainly hope we see some sort of ranking to get some form of objective matchups and well-deserved title shots. Don’t get me wrong, I love Couture, but someone who comes back from Retirement shouldn’t get a title shot as his first match – thats something that happens usually only in Pro Wrestling ..

YOUTAPPED is dead on here. UFC better be careful to not get the boxing label of “cheating” us out of the best matchups possible so they can protect their golden boys. I dont care who is the most marketable name, i care about who are the best fighters like most fans. Silva and Dana should take notice.

Nice interview, indeed.

One tidbit I found interesting:

10) Does the UFC need a rankings system?
JF: I think the rankings need to be done independently. That way the UFC can’t manipulate the rankings.

Along with a number of other fans (and I would assume most people who visit this site), I think the UFC needs rankings, but naively I never thought to add the stipulation that they should be done independently. It makes perfect sense; I just didn’t remember to remove my rose colored glasses when pondering said change.

I have to be hinest, I feel like Fitch is kinda acting like a B…h. I mean yes he has points, but cmon, to keep bringing it to the media over and over, is a joke. Go to the UFC, your buisness is with them and doesnt need to dragged around.
Bottom line is each one of the mentioned big fights in his class includes fighters who are much more well known and are co main events. Fitch cant sell a fight yet. After this round of fights he will be getting his shot.
Hughes Vs Fitch!!

Fitch is an awesome fighter and should be ranked up there with diego sanchez, i truly believe that. But he needs to stop whining and realize that he will get his shot sooner or later. Crying doesnt help anything. Great fighter though, top five in my book.

other than maybe gsp and maybe hughes, fitch is the only 170 guy in the ufc i see that would have a chance against diego, i think fitch is a serious serious dude, he deserves a lot more or a shot than the ufc has given him so far, its pathetic…

Jon Fitch has a hugh following and UFC should capitalize on it, they could make alot of money out of him. I would pay to watch and have. I wonder what the reasons are of not putting Jon in fights against more talented fighters.

How should I say this…

I think JF is the shit, we all know that. But he has come around at a point where much more pressing issues are at hand, DS vs JK and GSP vs MH are looming. Then the winner of those two have to fight. Why he hasnt gotten Karo or maybe a pride 170er I dont know. I dont think he is quite at their level yet, not b/c of of his own dueing by any stretch. Once he gets his shot, we’ll see if he belongs up there.
I wish ya’ll would stop anointing ppl the next great xx0er until they actually get there.

I have to agree with MTUFC. Yes, Fitch has had success in the octagon and yes he definitely deserves a shot at one of the top fighters in his division, but to automatically assign him as one of the top guys seems a bit premature at this point. Once he fights one of the top 170ers, then he can be more properly ranked.

Wow! I think Finch should get some better matches. He has proved that he can hang. Do I think he can beat Diego, no, but should he have a chance to prove it, yeah. I have seen his fights, and I believe that he could make something of himself. As far as calling him a B…H I think thats a little harsh, think about it, all fighters need to call others out, thats what makes the sport interesting.

As far as the comment of Randy should not have gotten a title fight on he comeback, I think he should have. He is a legend, and although getting knocked out be Chuck Liddell, he is an Amazing fighter and he has proved that he should get a title fight. Now when you look at the defeat he handed Tim, I definatly think he should have got the fight.

As far as match ups, I do believe that the cherish there top fighters. The fights lately have been shit. Don’t get me wrong some of these fights have made for the best of the year, but the filler fights are garbage. They are playing the “make money” game right now, and soon they will have to up the anty.

Later
Chris

Most of u guys got the right idea…4 those of u that may think J.F. does not deserve a shot at something more than B card fights that don’t make the ppv, it saddens me that u r not yet knowledgable 2 the fight game. Don’t worry, I was green once 2, u will make it son(s).

I’d like to sit down and discuss the matchmaking with J. Silva and Dana. As a matter of fact I’d take them both out to the restaurant of there choice, on me, if they would discuss it with me. This is a prime example of not utilizing a fighter properly.

This is the one story that boils my blood to no end. It blows my mind how the UFC can be hiding a guy of Fitch’s caliber.

The whole thing is that they did this with Nate Marquardt

He may very well get a title shot before Diego if not get Diego. Nate didn’t really beat any big names at all and he’s getting a shot, look for the same thing to happen to fitch

Nate has beaten big names, not many in the UFC, although Lister is one of the best ground guys in the world….Fitch beat Burkman….and Burkman is no slouch, and i think he will handle Karo….Fitch beat Alves, also no slouch….Fitch beat that japanese dude..no slouch….if his fights made tv, his following would be even bigger….I do think if Diego wins, and wants title shot he deserves it…i also think hughes deserves a title shot whenever he wants it…..sometime soon though when schedules dont conflict they are going to have to set Fitch up with Diego, Hughes, Or GSP……Heres a question….what the hell did Brandon Vera do to deserve being able to be considered one of the best and to be able to get high dollars negotiating contracts….and what has Fitch done to not be able to do this??

what about Fitch vs Serra if and when Serra loses?

I’d like to sit down and discuss the matchmaking with J. Silva and Dana. As a matter of fact I’d take them both out to the restaurant of there choice, on me, if they would discuss it with me. This is a prime example of not utilizing a fighter properly.

that would be something else… dinner with them though… I don’t think so… make them pay…. or better yet, give me Joe Silva’s job

Yeah i’d take silvas job in a heartbeat and do it for half the money….and i’d also write a column on the ufc website explaining my decisions.

The column idea is damn good wildbill.

thank u WILDBILL, someone with a good idea…. I wonder if Joe himself will read this… if so, we should get some royalties!!!!!(lol)

I’m gonna make a prediction, Fitch’s next fight will be against the winner of Davis-Spratt, on the main card of a fight night.

I’m gonna make a prediction, Fitch’s next fight will be against the winner of Davis-Spratt, on the main card of a fight night.

Oh, there’s a step up….~\~

im not sayin its good but thats what i am guessing silva will do

davis or spratt would get grounded in 30 secs by Fitch….but i dont know who he can fight really…..

I LIKE FITCH AND HE SHOULD GET A BETTER CHANCE TO SHOW OFF HIS SHIT

I’ve been impressed by Fitch and this blog really hits the point of his greatness.

In all honesty, I think he’s up to par with Sanchez and Hughes for the following reasons:

Sanchez lost to Kos, appeared to loose to Alessio (I don’t get that decision), and only got take down points against Diaz (Diaz did the most damage in that fight with the up kicks to Diego’s face). Florian was a mismatch joke (lightweight fighting at 185?) and Riggs was a lucky fluke KO. Sanchez does, however, have one single, very impressive win over Karo – but that was a decision… which all tells me that Diego is over rated.

Hughes lost to GSP, was getting dominated by Penn, with a dominating victory over almost 40yr old Royce Gracie who probably only trains in his garage on Saturdays after taking his kids to baseball practice. I have to say over rated too since he gets dominated by any top 5 welterweight he faces (even if he wins 50% of the time [1-1 against Penn, 1-1 against GSP – but 100% dominated because Penn and GSP were winning the fights they lost]).

Fitch has been dominant in all of his UFC fights (that I’ve seen, anyway).

I really hope Fitch gets some recognition from the UFC brass soon. He’s a great athlete, he’s aggressive, he’s tough, and he has skills.

I can see Serra submitting Hughes or getting the TKO – I can’t see Hughes submitting Serra or out striking him. Can you? Maybe he’ll win on points for takedowns – but that increases the probability of getting submitted. I’d go to Vegas from CA to bet on Serra if the odds are heavily favoring Hughes – that could be a nice pay off.

GSP could get a chance to avenge his loss and then we can see Fitch get a chance at Hughes, Sanchez, or Karo. Anyone of those fights would be big. Fitch deserves it. Fitch has got to be the most under rated fighter in the UFC.