More Bad News for Jon Fitch

A terrible week for UFC veteran Jon Fitch got even worse when another major MMA promotion expressed its disinterest in his services.

Fitch’s bad week started on Tuesday when he learned of his dismissal from the UFC. Fitch, who has 18 fights with the world’s top MMA organization, was coming off a loss to Demian Maia at UFC 156 when he got the news.

UFC President Dana White explained his promotion’s decision to cut Fitch to a group of reporters after the UFC 157 press conference. “He’s on the downside [of his career].  He’s lost two fights, one draw and won one fight,” said White, referring to Fitch’s recent struggles. “It’s not like Jon Fitch was on this incredible winning streak.”

White, however, was optimistic about Fitch’s future outside the UFC. “He will end up at Bellator and he will win a world title,” White said. “He will smash every single guy over there.”

Unfortunately, for Fitch, White’s assertion was incorrect.

Thursday, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney told the MMA Report his organization is not interested in Fitch. “I have a lot of respect for Jon and I have a lot of respect for anyone who has courage to do what these guys do and the athletic ability to do what they do, but we are not going to be signing Jon Fitch,” Rebney stated.

White mentioned Fitch’s high price tag, which may be deterring Rebney’s promotion from signing him. Bellator MMA is likely in cost-cutting mode as it continues to deliver terrible ratings on Spike TV, and has seen some of its biggest names eliminated from this season’s disappointing tournament.

With Bellator out of the picture, the World Series of Fighting promotion may be Fitch’s best option.  The Las Vegas-based promotion has already indicated its desire to bring Fitch into their mix. The problem for Fitch is the World Series of Fighting has a limited roster, and has only put on one show in the organization’s brief history.

One thing Fitch can be optimistic about is White’s insistence that his door to return to the UFC remains open. “A guy goes out, wins a few fights, has some impressive runs and then comes back,” White said, referring to the UFC’s history of signing former fighters. “He’ll end up somewhere and then he can come back.”