Similar to the poker players fighting with the World Poker Tour.

Wow this is nuts! The UFC’s just hoping Fitch comes around and signs the agreement.

If he doesn’t sign this is a pretty big loss for the UFC.

The UFC has gone gestapo.. All things have a finite life span, i pray the UFC’s lifespan is longer than i am currently fearing.
Its sickening to lose a quality person and fighter like Fitch over something this trivial..

Why wouldn’t Fitch just sign the agreement, what’s the big f’in deal? Maybe Dana is making a statement that you have to be fully committed to the UFC.

if fitch goes anywhere hes a number 1 countender

This is complete Bullshit. If John Fitch doesn’t want to be in a gay-ass video game or doesn’t want to sign something on the spot that states that he gives the UFC ‘lifetime rights’ to his video game likeness, then so the fuck what?!! I can hear Dana White now, “If it wasn’t for the UFC, you wouldn’t be shit. Carve off your nuts right now and give them to me or you’re out.” Fuck that.

This is complete BS. If John Fitch doesn’t want to be in a some corny video game or doesn’t want to sign something on the spot that states that he gives the UFC ‘lifetime rights’ to his video game likeness, then so what?!! I can hear Dana White now, “If it wasn’t for the UFC, you wouldn’t be anything. Carve off your nuts right now and give them to me or you’re out.” screw that.

i hope they work out something for Fitch.

FItch The Bitch

Id Be Proud To Be In A Video That Will Be Around Forever,

Fitch The Bit$h

I’d Be Proud To Be IN A Video Game That Will Be Around Forever Even If The Game Sucked,

This is another reason why people hate the UFC. They have the greatest fighters in the world, but are terrible to them and even worse to other fight organizations. Jon Fitch is the greatest fighter at 170 pounds other than GSP and the UFC are making a huge mistake letting him go. Forcing all these exclusive deals is ridiculous and exactly why Fedor and Couture will never fight.

all of you who support the ufc on this one are insane, the fighters are in this like its any other business to make money, they should have the right to their name and get some of profits from the video game, the ufc is slowly turning into a dictator, we need more competition to keep the ufc in check, they are getting to much power over the fighters. Thats like madden asking the same thing from top nfl stars, they wouldnt stand for and no fighter should.

you want to use my likeness in any game you want ad infinitum? fine. pay up sucka. pretty simple I’d say.

Wtf? How the hell can they think’s it’s ok to cut a guy over a damn video game? That’s BS. This guy was in a freakin’ title fight not long ago, in which he tried hard as hell and didn’t quit, despite who he was fighting, and they cut him b/c he didn’t want to sign over “lifetime rights” for a game?!

Go Fitch! Completely agree with Kenny The Swede, I mean, what the hell? Can`t believe Dana expects anyone to sign an agreement giving away ‘lifetime rights’ to using their names. I hope the fighters get organized, this is an issue important enough to validate a strike! (even though that would mean no fighting for a while – yeah, i hate it as much as you do)

Dana and the UFC need to understand that the fighters are more important than their precious org. Fitch, Joachim Hansen and Fedor FTW!

Absolute bullshit! Fitch is stand up guy and one of my favorite fighters. Dana needs to relax.

this is a beef that couture had and a lot of other fighters. its not just about a video game. its about them owning a fighter’s likeness in perpetuity, aka, forever. i have read before this wasnt just with regards to video games. but other items as well. like shirts, figures, etc. so that no matter how big a fighter gets or what he does when he’s done he’ll give up a whole pile of merchandising rights and money to the UFC.

i dont know the fine print. but its still a load of crap on the part of the UFC. to drop fitch like that. and i usually dont get pissed at the UFC or white, or the fighter salaries, etc. because i figure they are getting paid well enough that they and their management team are satisfied with their arrangement.

i dont think fitch or the dudes at AKA are idiots. and im sure there must be something messed up going on with this. the UFC might have a valid point with something here, but to cut the best welterweight in the world that isnt GSP, right away, over this junk. man. that is a discraceful move for the UFC. now, lets see if fitch’s management or camp give us some more info, or white and the fertittas, so we can see what the hell is up with this nonsense.

I give Fitch credit for standing up and saying no. The UFC is becoming a fascist machine. Fitch run to Affliction for their January card…

what the f, jon fitch was one of my favorite fighters, now he is going to have to go freelance and fight a bunch of nobodies for the rest of career. How do u let him go when he is one of the best in the world sign him to a deal that keeps his rights as long as he is in the ufc why the hell do u need a lifetime right to using him a damn video game, not to many people are going to know who he is 50 years from now and he is in a video game

What the FUCK???? How can you let go someone who’s your clear cut #2 guy in a stacked division?! This is an example of another retarded UFC contract. What do they expect from these fighters? Fucking dictators

The UFC is OBVIOUSLY in the wrong here, cutting a fighter and personality like Jon Fitch is just stupid and wrong. However, the UFC wanted him to sign a contract for lifetime rights to his name in a VIDEO GAME! Being an avid gamer, I want Fitch to sign just so I can see him in all the UFC games.

I mean, I know the UFC is being unreasonable and all, but was Fitch really going to get rich off of being in a video game? Reminds me of all the NBA games missing Jordan and it pissed me off to no end.

FUCK YOU DANA WHITE.
lifetime video game rights? what a load of bullshit.

Fitch = WHO CARES!

WAR FITCH!!!!!!!!!

First time i think ive ever been really mad at Dana

The UFC is making a mistake getting rid of Fitch. He will be picked up by a promotion in NO TIME!!! The UFC claims they have the best in the world. If they want to keep it that way and not have a worthy #2 promotion they can’t just let go of these caliber fighters for something as non lasting as a video game. This game will be forgotten within 3-5 years, Fitch wont! UFC better watch who they let go, Fitch wasnt let go because of a bad losing streak, Fitch could be the next champion anywhere else.

When does the money greed end? We are no longer getting free fights till at least UFC97. WEC is going to PPV, Theres more and more cards being pumped out. They wont let fighters in on profits from the game. My respect for what UFC is doing is no longer growing. I used to be pure UFC, I am now keeping up with different promotions such as Strikeforce, DREAM, Sengoku, Affliction, etc.

Would like to hear more of the story before I make any judgements.

Lets just wait and see what comes out….we dont know if that was the only reason. Fitch shouldnt have gone into a meeting to sign a fight agreement and then try to negotiate shit. There has to be more to it than that…

This is total bull!!! The fighters need to get organized!! Like all the other major sports, the athaletes need to look out for themselves as their overlords just want to exploit them!!

Bj Penn is getting cut too, this is for real. You should hear in a few days. I hear he stuck his tongue out at Dana White so he’s getting cut.

what the hell is dana smokin?

WOW – everybody just chill!!! There are two sides to every story. Plus, Fitch lost his title shot = gate keeper for the next year any way. Go sign some where else and get another pink slip by the middle of 2009!

Who in their right mind is going to sign “lifetime” anything. You sign that leave the promotion in say 8 years and they keep you in the game but you have gone to another org and on to different things but they are still making money with your name and likeness. Absolute BS. You can’t just spring it on someone either you normally have to compensate someone for this kind of stuff and there is normally a length of time too. i.e. you sign a 5 fight 2 year deal and they can use you in the game for 2 years. But you get money for it cause it is in you contract.

I’m pretty sure the WWE has a merchandising agreement with its fighters, why is this so hard for the UFC to do? Give the fighters something instead of nothing and put the issue to rest. This could get ridiculous, just as the UFC was getting a lot of great press they allow something like this to happen. Talking about screwing the pooch from both ends.

The UFC can only get away with this kind of thing for so long.

Fighters will eventually get pissed off and leave in mass if they feel they’re collectively and consistently getting shafted.

Stupid move by Fitch. What’s the use of keeping your own video game likeness rights if the UFC is the only one that is in a position to put you in a video game. After his performance against St Pierre he won a ton of new fans and he was set to become a major force in that division. Now he seriously has to start from scratch. There’s hardly any talent at WW outside the UFC besides Jake Shields

WOW!

FITCH WAS THE NUMBER 2 GUY AT 170 IN THE UFC AND PERHAPS THE WORLD CURRENTLY (OPINION)…

THIS IS A BIG LOSS FOR THE UFC, JOHN FITCH AND FANS!

But why wouldnt he want so sign!?
idk, someone please inform me….

Complete bullshit! They want the Fighters to sign away their rights forever (exclusive, lifetime), but the UFC (Zuffa) would never sign away their rights, names, likeness, etc… This is more than Video Games and Action Figures – this is pure greed and Dana White has completely lost his mind.

Do NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL Athletes sign away their rights FOREVER to their respective League if they have Sports Merchandise with their names and likeness on them? Hell No they don’t!! The UFC wants MMA (Their Brand) to be the biggest Sport in the World??? This is not the way to do it.

A “Players Union” and a “Strike” would be great to show the UFC that they are NOTHING without their FIGHTERS, and us FANS will not be FANS without the best FIGHTERS.

I NEVER get this fired up, but this is the last straw. Fire Dana’s sorry ASS now and hire someone to be the face of the UFC who’s not a narcissistic bitch!! Dana has to go! I’ll never pay another dime to watch the UFC while Dana is their “Frontman”!!!!

Jeez, this is NOT something I’d expect to hear. I hope to get more info soon, because this horrible on the UFC’s part if it’s true.

What?!

The UFC is cutting one of it’s best Welterweights because he won’t sign his life away in a video game?

You’ve got to be KIDDING me!

That’s the dumbest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.

I mean, we’ve all heard of stupid reasons for fighters being cut, but this one has to be the dumbest.

UNIONIZE! Not just UFC fighters, but a collective there needs to be a collective MMA fighters union

Dana White has completely lost his mind. That narcissistic mother&%$#@* needs to be committed and institutionalized. He’s completely certifiable . . . I’m done with him.

This is why we need another Pride aka Affliction.

is no one else concerned about the bigger issue here? Christian fuckin Wellisch? NOOOO

UFC is creating a brand, and the sad fact is fighters like Jon Fitch are a dime a dozen. Where’s he really going to go? Affliction, who has no welterweight division to speak of? Strikeforce, no welterweights. The truth is UFC is the best company in the world holding the best welterweight fighters out there. Him leaving doesn’t hurt them a bit, and we’ll continue to buy pay-per views and they’ll continue to make money.

He gave us an amazing fight against GSP, but I could really careless that he’s gone. More fighters will emerge with or without him.

Yet again the UFC pisses me off. If this week wasn’t enough, what with albino fatso being given the belt after 1 win in the promotion.
I’ve always been a fan of the UFC. But then again, i’ve always been a fan of MMA. The more fights i see, the happier i am. It doesn’t nessecerily have to be with the UFC. Throwing their toys out the pram because a fighter wouldn’t sign his identity away for LIFE?! what the hell? who do they think they are? Fitch is a wordclass contendor. I will watch him fight. MMA fans will watch him fight. If it’s not in the UFC then what a bunch of retarded fools they are. It’s about time there was a proper promotion that revised the dumb decisions the UFC makes and push the sport further. Viva La Affliction. yes Dana you bald, dumb fuck… it is a buisness well done. It’s also a sport. How do you spell FAIR?

they should never have fired him over that. That is forcing him and all others to sign over all the rights of there name and likeness forever. If they don’t want todo that they get fired? Bitch ass move UFC. Fitch welcome to Affliction where you will probably get a title shot right away.

Only UFC nuthuggers are ok with this bs……the funny thing is they come around saying that fedor doesnt come to the ufc because he is scared!!! hahaha whatever…

WHAT? How are they going to cut this guy? Fitch is an amazing welterweight. So much for wanting the best welterweights in the business.

Man… I don’t normally post or even send complaint email, but I made a point of voicing my opinion to UFC on this one. You should all do the same.

I guess it’s a matter of principal for Fitch? On the surface, I’m with Fitch. Why don’t they just leave the guy out of the video game? There’s got to be more to this story.

Way to go, Dana! If UFC keeps treating their fighters like this, a lot of fighters will eventually bolt.

this is pretty stupid

what other mma organization is going to come up with a game… if he wants to get paid for the game that is a diffrent story but it would be stupid not to sign…. think about it like this… if the ufc has rights to him name and he somehow goes to another org.. UFC will either try to still add him to the ufc roster.. or they will not.. it comes down pretty much to money and i guess he feels he should be paid to be in the game…

Lets face reality.

There are NO other MMA organizations that are well run and profitable.

Dana worked/works his ass off to bring MMA and the UFC to its current position.

UFC makes the rules. I hate to say it, but just like if you have money in the stock market right now, you are F’ed.

As far as being in MMA and hoping to make money off of video games, you are F’ed.

Holding out WASTES Fitch’s career time (not everyone can fight until 45), and he will become less prominent.

If we learned anything from Roger Huerta, it is SHUT THE F’ up and take your paycheck and makes friends (worked for Forrest Griffin)… May you lose out on 50 or 100k? Maybe, but its worth it right now being in the UFC.

Later on you may be able to change organizations, but NOT right now. Afflcition? Dream? lol. Elite XC? lol

fuck man im realizing how two faced dana is in his blogs he says he cares for the fighters and the best fights well jon fitch is one of the best fighters and he certainly has put on some amazing fights but why does dana have to be a fuckin prick and cut fitch, obviously if he goes to a different org. or retires he doesnt want ufc making money off of him with him not getting a cut this just pisses me off i love ufc but we really need other promotions. the ufc wants to own the world well before you do that you have to learn that its not all bout the money, the fighters are what give you the money in the first place, and to treat them like shit is like a big fuck you to all the fans.

GREED! By both parties.

UFC good
EVERY OTHER ORG sucks

wtf…

What if other orgs or sports had this principal? say they sign the next f*cking Fedor and have his image for life in a game but then said fighter leaves said org or sport and Dana wants to sign them, but wait how can he sign a fighter that is essentially marketing another org? Think it wouldn’t happen if everyone sought image rights forever? A game yes. a series of figures yes but for-f*ckin-ever? No way

Everyone relax, quit blowing your wad over this, i am sure there is more than just signing for video game rights behind this for Fitch’s release. Honestly i’d like to hear what dana has to say about the situation. Im sure there is more to it that we dont know. And I do think that somehow if this is truly an issue that it will be resloved with Fitch back in the UFC. Fitch gained a whole new fan base with his fight against GSP

Man…Jon Fitch, is a BIG LOST…ufc will have to get him back! There must be more to this…

People are forgetting the real question. Why is Christian Wellisch playing games with his contract? You’d figure he would sign away his first born just to be kept around with an 8-4 record, 2-2 in the UFC.

I am surprised the UFC has a separate contract for this stuff. I would’ve thought they had enough lawyers to cover then when a fighter joins the UFC in the first place.

this is bullshit wtf fitch was my favorite fighter at welterwieght. the thing that sucks is the fighters need to make all the money they can now because they can only fight for so long dana white can promote till hes 70 fighters cant fight that long to support their familys.im sick of fighters being treated like expendable dolts like the ufc is a machine that uses fighters as gears and when one breaks down they replace it with a new one…dana did it to tito its starting to happen to liddell and now danas new sidekick is brock…and dana hates tito for standing up for himself..dana white has always said he wants fighters and not business men like couture or tito he wants guys that do what he says and that aint right

Fitch just got back from a month long training camp at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket Thailand. I’m sure he was excited to get back into the UFC and show his new tools. Sucks that Ego’s are ruining the sport.

Curious what Swick, Kos, and the rest of the guys at AKA are going to do as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UoVa79-hkY

ESPN reports that “other AKA fighters may be released as well if they lose their upcoming fights”. I would assume this means Kos and Swick with their December fights. It looks like a camp vs. UFC. The AKA camp is really tight (and Christian Welliesch (sp?) is a lawyer) so they may be trying to put their foot down. Not a good outcome for them if they all get booted. I wonder how much a refusal to fight each other drove Dana White and the UFC to want to “clean up” a little??

well i’m going to hold judgement until the full story comes out from both sides because there is no clear confirmation yet. Also When Werdum got cut his name was immediately taken off the UFC website but fitch and wellisch’s names are still on the website so i’m still hoping that this isnt true like the rumor 1 month ago that stated that lesnar or couture were injured so the UFC 91 main event is off and we all know that one was false

Unless the consideration is very substantial (meaning lots and lots of money), it is never wise to just sign your rights away for an eternity. If a fighter does not agree then they should just fight for free and call it a day. Remember, retirement will happen sooner than later for a cage fighter.

This is a business and no sound business man or woman (i.e., the fighters) would ever do this. Pull out the calculator and do a little short and long term game theory analysis. The allegation of the UFC offering a “take it or leave it” contract is a common corporate bully tactic notwithstanding Fitch’s ranking.

To sign over your rights for a life time is a little much but what if their pay was increased because of Video game rights?

Sign over your rights and earn more per fight.

can you say greeedy mother fuc*&%! Dana does not not want to pay one penny in compensation to have them sign a lifetime contract to there video rights!!!!! That’s BULLSHIT!

Fitch is good, that’s undeniable, but I also thought he was boring as hell. His most exciting fight had him taking a pillow biting session by GSP.

As for the contract, business is business. It’s like getting pulled over for a DWI/DUI, if you deny a sobriety test, you’re presumed guilty. If you take it, you could be effed. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Bad call from the UFC and Dana White. Jon Fitch and the fighters run the UFC without them there is nothing. Eventually these unfair actions will add up and I wouldn’t be surprise if an MMA Union starts to organize against these abrupt decisions by the UFC. Boys this is Monopoly 101.

Who cares! Jon Fitch is really good, at being a punching bad. ;)

Here’s the story

A bitterly angry Dana White said Wednesday the Ultimate Fighting Championship has cut highly regarded welterweight contender Jon Fitch and is not going to do business with any fighters who are part of the American Kickboxing Academy team in San Jose, Calif.

The outspoken UFC president said shortly after landing in Hawaii on Wednesday that he no longer wants to work with AKA fighters or those represented by DeWayne Zinkin and Bob Cook.

White said he excepted AKA welterweight Mike Swick from that group because he said Swick called him and told him he wants to fight for the UFC. But Fitch and heavyweight Christian Wellisch were cut on Wednesday, and heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez and welterweight Josh Koscheck could be next.
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"We’re looking for guys who want to work with us and not against us, and frankly I’m just so [expletive] sick of this [expletive] it’s not even funny," White said from Honolulu, where he flew Wednesday from Toronto to hold a news conference to announce the B.J. Penn-Georges St. Pierre fight for UFC 94 on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… UFC is a business. Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta didn’t put $60,000,0000 into buying and re-inventing the sport of mma to be pushed around and nickel and dimed by its fighters who wouldn’t even HAVE jobs had it not been for their efforts… in the UFC or any other organization.

Did EliteXC (or Affliction, HDNet Fights, Strikeforce, HFC, AFC WFA) have a video game? did they have a reality tv show? Did they have corporate sponsors like harley davidson or anheiser busch? NO. The sponsorship and advertising deals you get in the UFC are unparalleled by any other mma organization. Just ask Nate Quarry… he just got a deal with Nike shoes… Nike. He doesn’t even wear shoes in the octagon and he is FAR FROM the most recognizable or even popular fighter out there.

Bye Bye Jon Fitch… I liked you, respected you as a fighter but apparently you took one too many shots to the head in your fight with GSP, there is definitely some brain damage, thats the only logical explanation for you turning down a contract with the premier mma organization in the world. Fighting with UFC brass is a losing battle, just ask Couture.

See if you get any loyalties with Affliction, nevermind trying to make the same money u were making in the UFC. Enjoy your 50% off affliction t-shirts, thats the only incentive you’ll be enjoying there until the fold and u come crawling back begging for another shot in the UFC.

well then why don’t all fighters leave that bald headed wannabe ganster’s promotion! F**K YOU dANA YOU’RE A egocentric moron! why don’t you and you’re rich friends step into the octagon and fight and we’ll see what happens.. take the wallet out of your as* and pay the fighters what they deserve.. he’s trying to hustle every fighter there is except for Chuck Liddell and when someone says no he goes insane!

What ABUSE!!!! Fitch should be congratulated for standing up against cheap ass bosses…Dana is so desperate to make UFC more attractive to buyers because of station casinos fall and the bad economy…so he’s desperately seeking new york accreditation and making crazy ad that says its trashing football and basketball…and now getting pissed because of a video game…

boycott the UFC

I happen to agree with dana on this one….Why not just sign for the video game if it was that simple? They obviously straight up told him he would be released if not…so he basically chose to leave. FUCK FITCH

i wonder how much brock lesnar got for signing for this game and it makes you wonder if all other fighter even got anything

This is obviously not just about a computer game… Fitch will have been asked to sign his rights over on EVERYTHING… The computer game is purely circumstantial

UFC wants these fighter to sing a lifetime contract…? wow…those a major major words…. lifetime contract.

Dana White is a piece of shit. He says he doesnt want mma to turn into boxing but he comes off as being cut from the same cloth as all these other garbage boxing promoters. He says he’s done all these great things for fitch but I hope realizes he hasnt put his life on the line the way the fighters do every time they fight for his promotion.

I love it! I hope Affliction picks up these other fighters. We need another power player in the MMA world! There’s no balance in power! Plus, I hate waiting so long in between big matchups. Sounds crazy, but, maybe one day UFC can play nice with others and coproduce matchups with fighters from other organizations more regularly. Like when Lidell fought Rampage over in Pride.

F DANA

This is so stupid. Dana better make this right.

Wow! This is not a good move for Dana and the UFC. Releasing fighters like Fitch will help promotions like Affliction grow and be successful. The UFC is not taking care of their fighters like they should. They are greedy as hell!

Fuck This is more bullshit from the UFC and Dana, and for all you cockeaters saying there would be no MMA if it werent for Dana, fuckin pull your head out of your asses. Pride was already on its way to being the premier promotion when Dana was still licking sweat off of his aerobics students an tryin to be a damn boxin promoter, the UFC was alredy on its way to exploding, if Dana hadnt bought it, believe me, someone else would have and was about too before Dana hopped on the deal. They bought Pride to just shut it down and lied to the previous owners which is why that is still being disputed in COurts. Dana is a sack of shit plain an simple. Sure the last few years hes tried to build up the UFC not MMA but his bullshit tactics far out wiegh anything good he;s done. This just confirms it. Hell Penn, Couture, AA all have left at one time or another do to the insane contracts., and Fedor will never sign one. Obviously theres more to the story but I have to side withthe fighters on this one. An fuck Swick too, grabbed righton to Danas nuts an aint letting go…

It’s obvious what is going to happen. Just like the Owners in MLB and the NFL that kept dicking their players, pretty soon the players will realize what kind of power they have: UNION!!!

Ain’t nobody paying $55 a PPV to see Dana White in his sportcoat. It’s all about the fighters. If Dana and even the defunct EliteXC and the others are screwing their fighters, insulting them in public, and pushing lifetime deals that pretty much NO BUSINESS really does anymore, the fighters will soon realize their power and unionize. We’ll probably see a work stoppage as well.

The MMA fighters will go the way of the NFL and become free agents and it will eventually look like boxing, where you could fight for any agency.

Anyone who wasn’t too busy looking at the teachers’ breasts in 10th grade history will know how the formula works in ALL industries. MMA will be no different.

The older nfl guys just won a lawsuit to get paid for their names being used. The nfl didn’t get the money, the players did! Really starting to hate dana! Still need to hear all the facts, but hes just a dick!

Dana White is getting to be really full of himself. This is not a good way to run a business. He wants to be in control of everything and if he doesn’t it’s his usual response…**** them! haha..Mr. White Calm your ass down and stop pretending your Don King..Pay these guys what they are worth..We buy you’re ppv’s and we these guys make those cards exciting..sometimes more than the Main Events…I don’t care for Affliction but I hope it succeeds so that guys have were to go and give the UFC some competition…Tito Ortiz should have kicked your A**!