11-21-2008, 05:59 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bayside
Posts: 153
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Jon Fitch (and AKA) vs Dana White
Yesterday - Jon Fitch Released From The UFC
Quote:
Jon Fitch, who last competed at UFC 87 in August against welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, has been released from his contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by members of Fitch's camp.
According to sources close to the situation, Fitch was in negotiations with the UFC about a lifetime contract for likeness rights for their upcoming video game release and future video games. An agreement could not be reached and the Indiana native was subsequently released from his fight contract.
During his time with the UFC, Fitch went 8-1 while in the promotion with his only loss coming at the hands of St. Pierre, as previously mentioned.
There were rumors that he was set to return in January to fight Japanese fighter Akihiro Gono, but all that came crashing down with the news of his release on Wednesday.
Other fighters including Christian Wellisch have also been released as a part of this contract negotiation of likeness rights, but at this time Jon Fitch is the biggest name that has been confirmed as being cut by the promotion. Speaking anonymously with MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday, a source said more names could follow in the coming days.
Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com for more news on this breaking situation as it happens.
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Today - 24 Hours Later Fitch Back With The UFC
Quote:
Fitch Back With UFC
by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
Less than 24 hours after the news that welterweight stand-out Jon Fitch has been released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the situation has been resolved and Fitch is back with the UFC.
The news was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by members of Zinkin Entertainment, Fitch's management team, who said that the deal was brokered between their executives, Jon Fitch and UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta just earlier today.
Zinkin executive and American Kickboxing Academy trainer, Bob Cook, spoke to MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday after Fitch was officially invited back to the UFC.
"Jon and I spoke with Lorenzo Fertitta and we managed to put everything back together," Cook told MMAWeekly.com.
Cook also says that everybody from the American Kickboxing Academy, including Fitch, Cain Velasquez, and Josh Koscheck would be signing on to the video game contract that seemingly brought about part of this departure from the UFC.
"Yes, the guys will be part of the video game program and the conversation with Lorenzo, they're comfortable with the situation and everybody's moving forward," stated Cook.
The day started with a conversation between Fitch and UFC president Dana White according to Cook, and eventually UFC owner, Lorenzo Fertitta stepped in the negotiation as well and things were soon settled.
"I just think that Jon's and Lorenzo's personalities mesh a little better," Cook said of the negotiations.
Fitch first spoke to MMARated.com about his return to the UFC on Thursday afternoon saying, "Communication kind of broke down with Dana (White) so we talked with Lorenzo," Fitch explained to MMARated. "(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."
On Wednesday, Dana White made several inflammatory statements about the American Kickboxing Academy, their fighters, the management and the team at Zinkin Entertainment. Cook says now with the situation resolved, he hopes to speak to White and get back to work.
"I've got a call out to Dana (White) right now, he's doing some interviews right now, but hopefully he'll give me a call back and we'll patch things up."
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A rift between The Feritita Brothers and Dana? Perhaps.
Quite the drama over the last 24 hours nonetheless.
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TUF FIGHTERS NEVER BACK DOWN!
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