UFC cuts Jon Fitch, Wellisch and possibly more

[ATT]

http://mmamania.com/2008/11/19/jon-fitch-christian-wellisch-and-possibly-others-cut-by-ufc/

Former number one UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch was today handed his walking papers for refusing to sign an agreement that would give the promotion exclusive lifetime video game rights to his name and likeness, MMAmania.com can exclusively confirm.

Christian Wellisch — who also didn’t ink the paperwork — was also released. Others who do not sign the agreement could also be let go in the future.

Fitch and members of his camp were not immediately available for comment on the startling development.

While the full details are a little murky at this time, Fitch was apparently approached about the issue when he turned in his signed bout agreement to fight Akihiro Gono at UFC 94: “St. Pierre vs. Penn 2″ on January 31. And when he and his representatives attempted to negotiate the video game deal it was all or nothing.

He didn’t sign it and was terminated shortly therefafter.

Fitch — who is tied with Royce Gracie and Anderson Silva for the most consecutive wins in UFC history (eight) — recently lost a gutsy unanimous decision to welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” on August 9.

The former Purdue University wrestler just returned from a trip to Thailand to refine his Muay Thai and stand up skills. For the time being he may have to now put those skills to the test outside the Octagon for the first time since 2006.

He’s among the top 170-pound fighters in the world and should land on his feet sooner rather than later. Talk about a big loss for the UFC … and Jon Fitch.

More on this breaking exclusive news as soon as we receive it. Hopefully cooler heads soon prevail.

[tobias]

Just read that article also. Shit happens. Your image and likeness mean a lot to a fighter. Selling them to the UFC will put a hamper on other products they may wish to use them in the future.

[ama6730]

That sucks. The UFC should be ashamed of themselves. There are ways of getting what you want besides demanding it. They are acting childish.

[Felix]

ridiculous, this is what happens when the fighters dont belong to a union, as they have in other sports....things like this are a catalyst to start things such as a fighter's union



i found this interesting:

http://www.tapoutlive.com/images/mags/ufc_legal.pdf

[Lisa]

Ok so fitch gets let go over a video game? Seriously? hum.....seems like someone just posted an interview with Dana and he was saying how fighters need to focus only on fighting. Seems like that's what Fitch was doing and he gets canned for it. Politics politics politics!!!

[Kimberly]

ridiculous, this is what happens when the fighters dont belong to a union, as they have in other sports....things like this are a catalyst to start things such as a fighter's union



i found this interesting:

http://www.tapoutlive.com/images/mags/ufc_legal.pdf

Definite eye opener. Thanks for the read. Gives you a whole new outlook on the situation. Personally, if I were a fighter, it's not an agreement I would sign.

[Lisa]

WOW!! I doesn't seem like anyone in their right mind would sign something like that. Why would they?


On another note, I am going to get the Brock Lesnar action figure so I can throw him around my house like I wish I could in real life!!! They better make it to scale. His doll needs to be at least 3 times the size of the other ones.

[Kimberly]

WOW!! I doesn't seem like anyone in their right mind would sign something like that. Why would they?


On another note, I am going to get the Brock Lesnar action figure so I can throw him around my house like I wish I could to him in real life!!! They better make it to scale. His doll needs to be at least 3 times the size of the other ones.

LOL!!!

[Rattlebone]

UFC honchos would be wise to cease any further purging of their SOLE commodity. Putting private interests before that of the fighters only poisons the waters of MMA, a growing sport thirsty for public acceptance. Unscrupulous behavior by Bob Arum, Don King, HBO's Seth Abraham and other major players in the professional boxing world virtually destroyed lives of prize fighters leading to the downfall of that great sport itself.

MMA is on the verge of greatness too, but only with respect for our fighters OUTSIDE the cage as well. Come on UFC, play fair.

[ATT]

ridiculous, this is what happens when the fighters dont belong to a union, as they have in other sports....things like this are a catalyst to start things such as a fighter's union



i found this interesting:

http://www.tapoutlive.com/images/mags/ufc_legal.pdf

I have been and mma fan for only five years and a wrestling fan for 20 and have followed it with insider info. In the UFC only their real names are used and not made up like in wrestling. Wrestling companies make the names because that is the only way they can technically still make money after that person retires. They can't own a persons name. I don't see how the UFC can word that and not get in trouble for it if it is challenged in court.

They would just tie it up in litigation for so long that it wouldn't matter and the fighter would say screw it.

[tobias]

Something like this is why Fedor never chose to sign with UFC and never will. Zuffa wants to own it's fighters. Preventing fighters from wearing certain sponsors into the cage is just another way UFC squeezes tighter around the necks of the individuals they employ. That's not cool. I understand not allowing a fighter to wear Affliction gear anymore because they are a competitor of the UFC but not letting fighters wear a Team Punishment into the cage is uncalled for. Dana is preventing guys from making a few more dollars for just wearing a shirt and hat and plenty of these guys have families so every dollar they can make counts.

[Sac23722]

I put a link earlier to this on another thread but here it is.

This is a link to Dana White's one and only interview responding to the Fitch situation. Great Great interview

http://www.sports1140.com/pages/1939975.php

Scroll down on the left

[JBNTX]

I am blown away by the BULLSHIT....you want to own the LIKENESS and NAME of every fighter in the UFC WTF.....a fighter would not be able to even profit off his own name FTS !!

THE UFC WILL LOSE ALOT OF THEIR TALENT OVER THIS FO SHO!! SAD TO SEE.

[JBNTX]

Ok so fitch gets let go over a video game? Seriously? hum.....seems like someone just posted an interview with Dana and he was saying how fighters need to focus only on fighting. Seems like that's what Fitch was doing and he gets canned for it. Politics politics politics!!!

It's really about mo money, mo money, mo money for Zuffa. Think about this URIJAH IS A ZUFFA EMPLOYEE AS WELL !! I AM SURE HE WILL BE ASKED TO SIGN SINCE HE IS THE POSTER BOY AND IS A CASH KING FOR ZUFFA !!!

DONT DO IT BRO DONT DO IT !!!!!!

[tobias]

We'll see what happens.

[Lisa]

JB I was thinking the same thing about Urijah too. But at least if he does we may be able to get our hands on Urijah doll. I vote for a life size one if that's possible, he can be my new drinking buddy!!!! ha ha and that way in Houston I can ride in the HOV lanes too. :)

[ATT]

JB I was thinking the same thing about Urijah too. But at least if he does we may be able to get our hands on Urijah doll. I vote for a life size one if that's possible, he can be my new drinking buddy!!!! ha ha and that way in Houston I can ride in the HOV lanes too. :)

Lisa: "how do you like what I am wearing to work today urijah doll."

Motionless doll

Lisa: "Why thank you"
lol :D:D:D

[Kimberly]

Lisa: "how do you like what I am wearing to work today urijah doll."

Motionless doll

Lisa: "Why thank you"
lol :D:D:D

Has merit -- a man that doesn't talk j/k guys j/k!:D

[ama6730]

That would be the perfect man! He would never say the wrong thing!

[Lisa]

ha ha ha that is perfect!! funny!!!!

[chainsawtom]

Way too funny, since ya never know what Urijah will read. That's okay, if you don't laugh this crap will make you cry. This could be the thing which will launch a competitor who would have never had the chance if it weren't for this.