Jon Fitch vs. Josh Burkman? 'People's Warrior' may have other plans for WSOF 3

Jon Fitch didn't have to wait long to get confirmation of his first opponent under the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) banner, as the upstart mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion announced on Saturday night (Mar. 23, 2013) that he would take on Josh Burkman at WSOF 3 on June 14, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Burkman absolutely demolished Aaron Simpson at WSOF 2 from Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, steamrolling right through "A-Train" via first round knockout (KO), handing the former NCAA All-American wrestler his second straight defeat.

Fitch, on the other hand, is coming off a loss to Demian Maia at UFC 156 just last month, which ultimately led to his release from the ranks of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and prompted company president Dana White to say the former No. 1 welterweight contender was on the "downside" of his career.

Finally feeling he is in a "happy place," Fitch will look to get back into the win column by attempting to slow down and defeat the red-hot Burkman, who is currently riding an impressive four-fight win streak and has won eight of his last nine bouts since being released from UFC in 2008.

And while WSOF officials have already confirmed the bout will be scheduled for June -- a rematch of their 2006 encounter inside the Octagon -- Burkman isn't exactly excited to face the man that has beat him before, seeing as how Fitch is coming off a loss.

"It's not that I don't think Jon Fitch is the most respected guy in this organization now or proved that he's done the most, but I think it's what you do inside this organization now that matters. Jon Fitch is definitely the most decorated and the probably highest ranked fighter in this organization. Come in here and win some fights and prove that inside this organization. Which I think he will do, and I would love that shot."

Burkman suggests a potential fight between Fitch and Gerald Harris, for starters.

With WSOF currently in its infancy stage and not exactly loaded with big-name talent at the moment, Josh may have no choice but to take on Fitch, who carries to the cage with him not only a bevy of fight experience, but perhaps one of the most recognizable names fighting for WSOF.

See more fallout from the WSOF 2 event in our live results thread here.