UFC cuts Fitch, many others as well

[CPT]

Surprising, but at the same time not.

Some of these guys are young and need more experience in smaller shows before coming back.

Some of them are old and should probably just retire.

Some of them are solid fighters, but for whatever reason can't hang in the UFC.

A few guys, though, are none of the above, and were only cut for entertainment/financial reasons. Fitch, Volkmann, as mentioned, but even god damn Mike Russow. These guys might not be the most fun to watch, but they add legitimacy to their divisions and help determine who the best fighters are. The plan is probably to let these guys get a win or two on regional shows and then come back at a reduced salary.

They are probably willing to risk them signing with Bellator, because if they do, it will probably be for more money than they are worth. Could be worth it for Bellator to buy the legitimacy a guy like Fitch brings, but it could also backfire. Most or all of the #2 promotions have failed because they paid too much for guys with names, but ultimately not enough people that want to watch them fight.

I mean, Askren vs. Fitch. Competitively? Hell yeah. And maybe it plays out as one of those boring guy vs. boring guy fights that ends up being awesome, but likely not, and it would probably be one of the most expensive fights Bellator has put on.

There's some good talent up for grabs here, but they have to be careful not to hang themselves by overpaying for guys nobody really wants to watch.

[Bernman]

Fitch is worth a little extra investment because look what Sandro did for their FW division credibility wise, and Sandro made his name in Japan not USA/UFC. I think ideally you put him through the gauntlet in a tourney and hope he loses eventually like Sandro did. Then you go through the same process all over again. I for one think Lima and Koreshkov are majorly underrated. I rate them as high or even higher as young fighters than Erick Silva. So if they were to beat Fitch, that would make Askren's wins over them look much more impressive, and they in turn as fighters. Anyways, Fitch wouldn't be an Affliction esque signing with him being a proven high level UFC fighter, but they not competing for his services, and having the rep of being boring. He wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

Sass is even the more surprising release given the UFC's history with Fitch. Sass beat Volkmann, Johnson, etc.; and was a rather entertaining, semi-marketable fighter, who was still young, and his last two losses may have been a product of over-confidence. First he had over-confidence in not being subbed from top, then over-confidence in his ability to sub an opponent from bottom. He may make quick adjustments and be a top 10 guy. As it was he was pretty good. He'd be another good measuring stick signing for Bellator.

The others I'm not so sure about. They are more WSOF's style.

[High 5]

Maybe Rousey stood Dana up last night and this is how he vents.

[Jasen777]

This is a big problem I have with MMA. Popularity and/or willingness to kiss Dana's ass over merit.

[Nemesis21]

This is a big problem I have with MMA. Popularity and/or willingness to kiss Dana's ass over merit.

This.

[Headliner]

I bet they offered Fitch the Ellenburger fight and he turned it down, and they cut him for it.

Dana went on a rampage the other day about cutting fighters who turn down fights. Seems suspicious that he'd say that so close to making some big cuts.

[tjumper78]

i think dana white just hated fitch for the longest time, and has been looking for a chance to cut him for a while.
if he lost to silva, he wouldve been cut right then.

the ufc says you either fight like korean zombie (or aldo or whoever exciting) or get your ass cut.

[SDM]

I think it's highly possible that Dana simply doesn't like Fitch. It's a near guarantee, actually. Fitch actually has the balls to stand up for himself and Dana hates that. Didn't Dana also stiff some of his sponsors?

Unfortunately for seekers of truth, Zuffa is restructuring big time. And like in every case of restructuring ever, crap flows downstream. Thing is, Fitch is 14-3-1, he's a high performing middle manager who gets results, but doesn't like to go out and party and is seen as kind of a square. At the very least, if they're going to cut WW #9, they might as well cut WW #10 and 11 and 12... I mean, when did this stop being a sport? How can Dana legitimately say he has all the best fighters when he cuts a world ranked guy for not running around with his hands down and chin up? The sport has plenty of merit on its own-- and that's how all of us caught on and you take the boring Fitch decisions because it's a master class of top control and positioning-- but when you try to tweak it to appeal to casuals it messes with the integrity. Fitch needs to be in UFC. He's better than almost anyone in the division. Fact.

[REDDzone]

I hope Fitch finds something, man. I won't lie, I sort of became a fan when he was so criminally underrated by most against Erick Silva. Being knocked out once by Jonny Hendricks does not a bad fighter make.

Why did Bjorn say bellator wouldn't be signign Fitch? I saw the headline but didn't know if he elaborated at all. Sometimes if seems like they won't sign ufc guys unless the ufc cut the guy due to legal or disciplinary reasons.

[ShowtimeFan]

Look for a number of those guys to end up in Bellator...