Jon Fitch signs five-fight contract extension with UFC; Agreement to battle Paulo Thiago signed for July 11
by MMAmania.com on Mar 23, 2009 9:52 PM EDT
43 comments
MMAmania.com can report that Jon Fitch today signed a five-fight contract extension with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), ensuring that the former number one welterweight contender will continue to compete inside the Octagon well into 2010.
In addition, Fitch finalized the final paperwork for his next appearance against undefeated submission specialist Paulo Thiago at UFC 100 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 11.
Fitch scored a dominating unanimous decision win over Akihiro Gono in his most recent outing at UFC 94: "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2" on Jan. 31, overcoming the sight of the charismatic Japanese standout and his corner dressed in drag.
The Purdue University wrestler now boasts nine victories for the promotion in 10 attempts. He also currently shares the record for most consecutive UFC wins (eight) along with mixed martial arts legend and UFC Hall of Famer, Royce Gracie, as well as 185-pound wrecking machine, Anderson Silva.
Talk about impressive company.
The lone blemish on Fitch's UFC record is to welterweight deity Georges "Rush" St. Pierre in their championship match from UFC 87 "Seek and Destroy" on August 9. Fitch demonstrated a ton of heart in the 170-pound contest, refusing to relent from a punishing five-round attack from the Canadian.
Fitch is still widely considered the number two-ranked welterweight fighter on the planet. He’ll need to string together another impressive win streak to get another crack at the division title, which can likely happen under the current five-fight deal.
His journey back to the top will continue with Thiago on the historic pay-per-view (PPV) card. For Fitch it will provide him with an opportunity to exact revenge — the Brazilian most recently stunned his good friend and American Kickboxing Academy training partner, Josh Koscheck, with a fight-ending first round upper cut at UFC 95: "Sanchez vs. Stevenson" just last month.
For more on Jon Fitch hit up or fighter archive right here.
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I don’t think he can take GSP or Alves. I really wanna see alves get a rematch.
by NameNotRequired on Mar 23, 2009 9:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
jon fitch will destroy thiago,i agree i dont think he will ever get the title as long as gsp holds it.but i think alves will be outclassed and stopped by gsp.fitch would beat alves 9 outta 10 times also.
by NM on Mar 23, 2009 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wrong my friend. Alves hits like a ton of bricks. He has enough power to make fitch quit. Last time he just got caught by an upkick. Seriously how many times has that happened in MMA?
by NameNotRequired on Mar 23, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
true, when fitch fought alves he had no td defense so fitch just owned thiago. now thiago is a different type of beast and i think hed beat or atleast put up an amazing fight against fitch in the rematch
by Jared on Mar 24, 2009 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want to see this fight televised. I think Fitch will win by GnP in the second. Also – Fitch would have won the Alves fight had it gone to decision, so while watching Alves get KO’d was great, he’d still have walked away with the win.
GSP will destroy Alves in the first or second round. Alves can’t hang with his striking and speed. Alves is over rated…
by Arnold on Mar 24, 2009 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Alves cant hang with GSP’s striking? Get a clue! GSP wouldnt dare stand with Sera, and u expect him to want to exchange leather with the most destructive striker under 185lbs?
NO CHANCE buddy!
FYI, Alves will maul Fitch in a rematch!
by john on Mar 24, 2009 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol dont get me started on my young buck Alves…I watched him grow from a little puppy with no takedown defense, that was falling into silly triangle chokes by spencer…to a Brutally Destructive SOB, with some of the best takedown defense in the division. Nothing made me happier then watching him BATTER koschek and shrug off his few td attempts. He ruined Karo’s LIFE!!!!
i promise you that nO one looks forward to fighting this kid…I wouldnt even want to spar with that dude!
You guys, last year was nothing! that was just his coming out party…Kid vastly improves with each fight. He is doing BIG THINGS in 2009! and the NEW UFC welterweight champion!!!!!!
I hope Condit continues to win, cause I would like to see condit and alves go at it, Muy Tai style!
by john on Mar 24, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not your buddy, Guy! FYI John is fronting. He’s clearly Canadian. Buddy
by JRE on Mar 24, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not your guy, friend. Seriously, though I’ve about had it with The Three Amigos at AKA, especially that dry-humping Fitch. And especially the nobody-fighting Koscheck. And also especially with the outside-looking-in Swick.
by PW on Mar 24, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still can’t believe how many seemingly knowledgable posters on this site thought BJ would finish GSP. A lot of people thought Fitch would beat him as well, and now Alves is supposedly the Golden Boy who will end Georges’ reign over the Weltereight division.
Sorry guys, but you’re wrong*. Again. It’s not going to happen.
I agree that Alves offers a new set of problems for GSP, and that he boasts dangerous KO power. But Georges’ striking is vastly underrated. He is a better technical kickboxer than Alves, and I think his North American style is superior to the Muay Thai mauling style that Alves employs. The reason Anderson Silva’s Muay Thai is so deadly is because he doesn’t stand and trade bombs, he circles and waits and counter-punches.
Alves’ techniques leaves him wide open to counterpunching. Georges will out-jab him from the outside and Alves will see he needs to get in close to land his blows. That’s when Georges will shoot and dump him on his ass.
George WILL be able to take Alves down. Did you see him throwing Rashad and Marquart around on UFC Primetime? Alves will be dogmeat once Georges is on top of him. Bet the farm on GSP.
*I’m not sorry
by Jeremyjackson on Mar 24, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Glad to see this happen. His victory over Gono was dominating and he’s not too far from a second title shot, especially if swick and davis, likely the next 2 in line, falter in their next fights. Fitch is outstanding and I’m glad he’s here to stay.
by Clint on Mar 23, 2009 9:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i dont think swick or davis are next in line for title shots,well maybe davis if he gets past hardy but gsp would beat the crapp outta both davis and swick.IMO
by NM on Mar 23, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Swick would be ahead of Davis because Swick just beat Davis.
by sf on Mar 23, 2009 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks,My mistake I totally forgot about that boring fight they had.So neither of them deserve a title shot.But who else is there?
by NM on Mar 23, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
McLovin is 2-1 in 08’ not to mention he didnt even fight in 09’ yet.
by NM on Mar 23, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guys that reasoning does not exist in the UFC unfortunately. Do you think Gray Maynard or Frankie Edgar are closer to the title shoot at lightweight? Obviously Edgar is but Gray just manhandled him. He just was fed higher profile fights after and Gray broke his hand. The UFC really has no ranking system and I hope that changes soon. None of the above mentioned guys are even close to a title shot.
by halljam2 on Mar 23, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Jon Fish as much as the next guy, but he needs to start finishing guys for me to consider him at the top of the WW division. GSP finishes guys. Alves finishes. Kos excites for the most part. Fitch hasn’t finished a fight since Roan Carniero. Sadly, I dont see him finishing PT either. Another dominating, but boring, decision for Fitch here…
by Synyster on Mar 23, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually I will have to disagree there Synyster I think Fitch will finish Thiago.I didnt see much from Thiago besides that perfect timing uppercut,if Thiago wins he will indeed be someone to watch out for.Thats if he wins and IMO I think Fitch will walk through him.
by NM on Mar 23, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but I figured he’d finish Gono and freaking Chris Wilson too, but he didn’t. Like I said, he hasn’t finished a fight since 2007.. Thats a long time ago.. Back when I was a Junior in high school.
by Synyster on Mar 23, 2009 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A junior in high school?lol off subject.
Yes that is true I though he would have finished Wilson too.I can understand Gono,I still think Fitch will finish Thiago time will tell.
by NM on Mar 23, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the high school thing was a personal reference to how long ago its been since he’s finished a fight. I’m a college freshman now, nearly done with my 2nd semester. 5 weeks from a college sophomore..
I agree with you though, I can give him a pass on Gono, but not so much Wilson. And by all means he SHOULD finish Paulo T., but so was Kos.
by Synyster on Mar 23, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL at comparing being a Junior in high school to being a freshman in college a loooooong time. If that is the case, Synister my man, you got a loooong life ahead of you!
Also, in regards to GSP being a finisher. As of late, not so much. He has is starting to fight like the “boring Matt Hughes” that all the “new school” fans hated so much because he was a wrestler. Can someone please tell me the last time GSP was willing to stand and trade with someone rather than just take them down??? I believe it was a fight against a pudgy 155er who just so happened to make GSP tap due to strikes!!!
by ViolentMike on Mar 24, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
VM we arent even talking about GSP we are saying how Fitch hasnt finished a fight and how I think he will finish Thiago.
The GSP hate is getting old btw.
Also this is a young mans sport so I dont know why you are saying anything to Synister!
by NM on Mar 24, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Turn down that loud rock and roll music, you young punk!
by PW on Mar 24, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if the music is too loud, then you’re too old, hehe!
by Syd[a.k.a."The Negation"] on Mar 24, 2009 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
cant wait to see serra tap this guy out!
by Year of Matt Serra on Mar 23, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Guys the WW division is like this
IN JOE SILVAS EYES…
GSP
1 Alves
2 Fitch
3 Koscheck
4 Mike Swick
5 Hughs
6 Serra
7 Karo Parisyan
8 Marcus Davis
9 Rumble Johnson
10 McLovin
In Waiting…(IN THIS ORDER)
Akiyama
Jake Shields
Rumble Johnson
Paulo Thiago
Kevin Burns
Stun Gun
Hardy
Akihiro Gono
J. Goulet
In Reality top down its like this
GSP
1 Alves
3 Akiyama
4 Fitch
5 McLov’n
6 Koscheck
7 SWICK
8 Serra
9 Hughs
10 Karo
11 Rumble Johnson
12 Marcus Davis
13 Jake Shields
14 Kevin Burns
15 Stun gun
16 Gono
17 Paulo Thiago
18 Hardy
19 Goulet
Of course should you add or they make weight at …
BJPENN He goes in at 8.
Diego is in at 10.
Kang would be 8 also.
Sherk would be 12.
I would love to see this for a tournament to determine a contender… Over 4 events of course.
1st round
Karo vs KANG (UD)
Fitch (SUB) vs RUMBLE
BJ PENN vs DIEGO (UD)
SWICK VS Akiyama (Split D)
Alves vs Marcus Davis (KO)
McLov’n (KO)vs Jake Shields
Hughs vs Serra (KO)
Koscheck (Split D) vs Sherk
2nd round
Kang (UD) vs Fitch
Diego vs Akiyama (UD)
Davis vs Mc Lovin (SUB)
Serra vs Koscheck (KO)
3rd Round
Kang vs Akiyama (UD)
Mc Lovin (KO)vs Koscheck
4th Round
Akiyama vs Mc Lovin (UD)
by Robin on Mar 23, 2009 11:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dude: what the hell are you talking about? according to your scenario you have a bunch off welterweights fighting against Middleweights?
U need to go back to the drawing board!~ lol
by john on Mar 24, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also have lw in there… BJ and Diego.
I think Akiyama and Kang will drop weight. Once they see MW isnt for them.
by Robin on Mar 24, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Akiyama and Kang will never make 170 lbs
by john on Mar 24, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
here are 5 fighters fitch can face
hughes
davis
parisyan
anthony johnson
condit
and kammpman
by bryant on Mar 24, 2009 12:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
fitch vs johnson would be interesting for sure
by TRIKZ on Mar 24, 2009 1:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That would muck up AJ’s development. He’s not ready for a wrestler that good with that much experience. Let him work up a little steam fighting middle-of-the-pack guys for a year or so.
by Jeremyjackson on Mar 24, 2009 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm, I like the thought of karo vs fitch or fitch vs rumble
Yet I see paulo thiago winning, he has good groundgame not many have seen, and if he don’t won I see a boring fitch victory
by phenomenal angel on Mar 24, 2009 3:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Friends or nor Fitch and Kos will eventually have to meet, if Fitch wins his next bout and Koscheck wins his next fight.
by yoububg on Mar 24, 2009 7:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i like fitch but hell win a boring dominating decision
by Jared on Mar 24, 2009 7:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Easy easy win for Fitch, lets hope he finishes the fight this time.
by Lester the Pimp on Mar 24, 2009 7:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Fitch, Kos and Swick won’t fight each other, let them fight cans on the undercard ’till they have a change of heart.
I know you don’t want to fight your buddies, guys, but you’re all top 10 guys in the same weight class. It has to happen. Maybe they should quit MMA and all try to get a spot on the same soccer team.
by Jeremyjackson on Mar 24, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ya well hes been showing those guys all his moves and theyve prolly done the same so i can understand why they dont wanna fight each other. its like showing ur hand in poker …
by Zack Skokan on Mar 24, 2009 8:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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