Jon Fitch (23-3-1 with 10 wins by finishes) is heading into the new year burdened by a must-win fight versus Johny Hendricks (11-1 with seven by way of stoppage) to salvage whatever future is left of his UFC career.
It is ironic that this is how many perceive his situation despite being ranked as the consensus second-best welterweight in the world and, according to Sherdog.com, even as lofty as the No. 7 pound-for-pound MMA fighter for 2011.
In spite of his achievements, he has never been a favorite to begin with. Well, yes, he’s been a “favorite” to win most of the time, but he’s not a “fan favorite.”
Worse or worst, not only has he got problems with them fans; he has also fallen out of favor with UFC president Dana White himself time and time again (arguably, he has stayed out of favor since the first offense). From saying no to having his name and likeness be used in a video game, his refusal to fight teammate Josh Koscheck, and up to his “unimpressive” unanimous win against Thiago Alves in their rematch.
Fitch also failed to impress the impeccably discerning MMA fans with his draw versus former lightweight champ B.J. Penn.
The last fight with Alves was originally a contendership match for the welterweight belt held by Georges St-Pierre, but Dana White wouldn’t settle for “just” a win. Speaking with and for the fans, White cited Fitch’s lack of finishes and support from the fanbase, arbitrarily dismissing—after the fact—the contendership status of Fitch’s victory, denying him a championship rematch with St-Pierre.
In short, for this coming UFC 141 on December 30, Fitch not only has to win it—he has to finish it. And he must do just that for the nitpicking fans, primarily, just to continue his trade to feed his family.
Versus the former Oklahoma State stud Johny Hendricks who has the better wrestling pedigree and stronger punching power, it seems that the UFC plans to make its year-end event a send-off party for Fitch; to dump him on Strikeforce or Bellator or wherever afterward.
Still, Fitch will prove to be the better MMA athlete overall—finish or no finish—and the UFC will grudgingly keep him on its roster; up there where the more enlightened and sophisticated fans can continue to appreciate his style of fighting.
After all, where else would the No. 2 welterweight fighter in the world belong?
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