World Series of Fighting welterweight Jon Fitch lost out on the title Saturday night, but he might be missing the use of his right leg for a few months.
The former UFC contender was caught in a first-round kneebar by leglock master Rousimar Palhares Dec. 13 at WSOF 16.
Fitch underwent an MRI Monday, but hopes the test won’t reveal any major damage to his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
“It’s not killing me,” Fitch said post-fight. “I felt a pop. There was a little bit of swelling. It’s probably PCL [posterior cruciate ligament] if anything is damaged. I tore it once before. Hopefully maybe I just pulled it. Just making some noise for fun. Hopefully everything’s fine. I don’t know. PCL is usually like a six week injury with rehab. It sucks. What are you going to do? When we fight, this is what happens.”
Palhares was released by the UFC in October of 2013 after failing to release a heel hook quickly enough in his welterweight debut against Mike Pierce. ‘Toquinho’ was scrutinized again in Match when he defeated then-champion Steve Carl with an inverted heel hook at WSOF 9.
Fitch failed to comment on whether or not he believed Palhares held onto the submission too long, but seems to blame only himself.
Calling it a ‘brain fart,’ Fitch explained that he had multiple opportunities to escape Palhares’ hold, but that he got too comfortable and waited.
“He got off the heel and went for the straight leg,” said Fitch. “At that point I felt I could pull out and just cut and run and turn my back. That early in the fight, we’re still dry. I even thought my knee was going to be far enough out not to be hit, but it was just enough to put the pressure on. He’s so strong and good at what he does, he got me. I should not have turned my back to him.”
Having enjoyed some early success in the bout against Palhares, Fitch is hoping it was a sign of better days ahead.
“The best is yet to come,” said Fitch. “You saw a little sample in the first part of that fight. I made a stupid mistake but there are going to be a lot better fights coming.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Monday Morning Analyst. Luke Thomas reviews UFC on FOX 13, The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale and WSOF 16.
Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Junior dos Santos, Rafael dos Anjos, Carla Esparza, Matt Mitrione and Nate Diaz move forward following UFC on FOX 13 and the TUF 20 Finale.
‘I can’t.’ Cris Cyborg says she will abandon any further attempts to fight at 135 pounds, all but ruling out a possible fight with UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
‘You can say it’s the heat of the moment.’ Andy Foster of the Nevada Athletic Commission says he believes Rousimar Palhares held his submission too long against Jon Fitch, but that he won’t be fined or suspended.
Moral victory. Chuck Mindenhall explains how Stipe Miocic’s loss to Junior dos Santos was the perfect introduction to MMA’s casual fanbase.
Watch The 2014 MMA Hour Awards show with Fighter of the Year Robbie Lawler, Carla Esparza and MMA Fighting’s Marc Raimondi.
MEDIA STEW
More awkward hype between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.
TTTHS.
Highlights from PANCRASE 263.
The latest episode of The Reem.
THE REEM SEASON 3 EPISODE 7: TRAVELS & TRIBULATIONS from THE REEM on Vimeo.
Jamie Varner wants to start a fighter’s union.
Free Fight: Jon Jones vs. Shogun Rua.
Long watches.
#WHOATV BAMMA 17 Access All Areas
…
Inside the Guard with T.P. Grant – UFC on Fox 13 and TUF 20
…
Knuckle Up #388: Nate Diaz, Kogan, JDS, Lost Battalion-age, 2 UFCs, lawsuits, Reebok
TWEETS
Catch those new rankings?
Everybody knows who is no1 lightweight contender. 2015 will be my year.You like it or not , I’m coming pic.twitter.com/IFefbk2XrX
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 15, 2014
The hunger.
I’m ready to get back in the cage again..I never thought I would say this but I miss training. http://t.co/4LxFUAWGpp
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) December 15, 2014
I miss the fight. I’m ready to start preparing again.
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) December 15, 2014
Cruitin’.
Fighters sick of being bullied? Come over to @BellatorMMA Nice to have a company behind you. @SpikeTV @Viacom building 2 be the best!
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) December 16, 2014
Yikes.
Receive a letter from @Fearthefighter telling me to stop telling the truth or they will sue me. Pay your debt! @ftfenergy @ufc @Rick_Story
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) December 14, 2014
@mousasi_mma @Rick_Story @georgimma @AkiraCorassani @Fearthefighter I haven’t got one either and I’m hoping they pay us as well
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) December 15, 2014
Very cool.
Investing in the future http://t.co/Ss76gfC3Gx
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 14, 2014
Congrats.
I can’t put in words how I am feeling signing this contract again. Yessssss I am official @ufc… http://t.co/KK7SepDgTY
— Roan Jucao (@jucao) December 16, 2014
I got my brown belt today! It is a great honor. Thanks everyone for being a part of this journey! Ossss! pic.twitter.com/iOnOP5BM4r
— Tony Martin (@tmartinmma) December 16, 2014
Light heavyweight.
I always get a chuckle when people complain about me being too big for my weight class. Right now I’m… http://t.co/xjLM6hBvZW
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 15, 2014
Outstanding.
‘Breaking Bad’ Star Lavell Crawford — From Blue Meth to White Belt in Jiujitsu http://t.co/xAeg0TFoYI
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 15, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 15 2014)
Pat Curran vs. Daniel Weichel at Bellator 133
Julia Budd vs. Talita Nogueira at Bellator 133
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