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Friday, November 21, 2008
GSP's Long Term Plans. Do They Include Anderson Silva?
 Before Georges St. Pierre stepped into UFC 87 to defend his welterweight title against Jon Fitch, rumors began to circle about his current contract expiring after only 1 more fight following the August match-up.
Even back then GSP assured fans that he would make the UFC his home for a long time to come, and he didn't plan on fighting anywhere else.
"We'll end up to an agreement, I'm sure," St. Pierre told MMAWeekly Radio in August.. "I like the UFC, I'm glad I'm champion, I want to represent the sport and also the UFC well."
"The UFC, that's what made me known, and if possible I want to retire there."
While the UFC never really talks much about fighters' contracts, it would have to appear that St. Pierre has been locked into a new deal going into his title fight with Penn.
Also, recent comments from UFC president Dana White saying that if the Canadian was successful in his next bout, he could see a fight with pound for pound king Anderson Silva in his future, would almost solidify St. Pierre's long term plans with the company.
"If GSP beats BJ then you'll see Silva v GSP, possibly at a catch weight," White told The Sun, a British newspaper in October.
St. Pierre's manager, Shari Spencer, had no comment when reached by MMAWeekly.com, but with the Canadian's prospects for big fights in 2009 it looks like "Rush" will be in the Octagon for the foreseeable future and beyond.Labels: Anderson Silva, B.J. Penn, Georges St. Pierre, GSP, jon fitch
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 8:16 PM
Thursday, November 20, 2008
24 Hours Later: Jon Fitch Back With UFC
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."Labels: Dana White, jon fitch, UFC
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 8:34 PM
Affliction VP To Fitch: Come On Over
 UFC President Dana White's comments on Wednesday about welterweight Jon Fitch's dismissal from his company perked up more than a few ears in the industry.
One party interested in Fitch's services: Tom Atencio, Vice President of Affliction Entertainment. White named the "t-shirt guys" as a potential home for the American Kickboxing Academy fighter in the wake of his unemployment.
MMAInsider spoke to Atencio Thursday afternoon, where he confirmed Fitch would be welcome to fight for Affliction.
"Yes I am," Atencio said of his interest. "Does that mean we're going to get him? Don't know."
Atencio commended Fitch for standing up to the proverbial 800lb. gorilla.
"I think if you don't agree with something, than you should stand up for what you don't agree with," he continued. "And I've got to give it to him, he's got balls for doing it."
Though he admits Affliction's welterweight division is thin at the moment, he says the problem can soon be fixed, and Fitch could sign a non-exclusive deal with the company.
"We're still working both ways," Atencio said of Affliction's contracts. "There's some guys that want to fight in Japan and want to fight in Canada. Until we get going full bore and get 12 fights a year or whatever we'll end up doing, it's really hard for us to hold these guys to anything and make them sit on the bench. If they're not making money, they're not paying their bills. If they're not fighting, they're going to get ring rust. I don't want to do that to them."
As the number two ranked welterweight in the world, it's likely Fitch will soon have several suitors.
"I think he's a great fighter," Atencio said. "He's at the top of his game."Labels: Affliction, Dana White, jon fitch, Tom Atencio, UFC
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:47 PM
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