Fitch says “We could die and they could make millions of dollars, and our families wouldn’t see a penny of it”

Published on: 20th November, 2008

Fitch says "We could die and they could make millions of dollars, and our families wouldn’t see a penny of it"  | read this item

Fitch says UFC deal was unfair

Many were shocked late last night when they found out that UFC veteran and former number 1 contender to the Welterweight title Jon Fitch was cut from the organization following issues regarding a merchandising agreement. UFC president Dana White has spoken out on the issue and now Fitch has also spoke out on the issue that got him cut from the UFC.

Fitch spoke to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! sports about being cut last night from the UFC in the same article that Dana White spoke out on why he made the decision to no longer work with AKA and Zinkin.

“He wanted us to sign that merchandising agreement,” Fitch told Iole. ”and it was not a very good agreement,” Fitch said. “There was not really a reason for us to sign it. The first thing they brought to us was for us to sign all of our rights away for everything forever. It was for very small compensation, and there was no compensation for family members if we were to die.”

Fitch went on to explain the deal would not have entitled his family to any profits if he died.

“We could die and they could make memorial figurines and stuff and make thousands, millions of dollars, and our families wouldn’t see a penny of it. The way they bring the contracts and stuff to us, I don’t know, it’s just not how business is done.” Fitch went on to explain.

Fitch also said he was looking for a limit to how many years the UFC would be able to use his likeness in the deal that would potentially net the UFC millions and very little for the fighters.

“I’m more than willing to work with them, but I don’t see why we have to give up our whole lives for this,” Fitch said. “Why not a time limit? If we did a 10-year deal with them, is that that unreasonable? I don’t understand how this happened, honestly. It’s tough.”

UFC president Dana White seems to be attempting to split the AKA managed fighters with hard negotiations and harsh tactics, which is a move that could come back later to haunt him. Even though Fitch did lose to current Welterweight Champion Georges St.Pierre back at UFC 87, he still remains a top fighter in his division and a very big threat in the future to St.Pierre. While Fitch is not the most marketable, he remains a top contender that can possibly hurt another UFC’s Welterweight Champions standings as number one years down the line. We will wait and look for any new information that comes out on this and keep you posted.

What do you think? Was Fitch right for turning down the deal with the UFC?

 Narcisist is the Co-owner of UR Dirt and is the designer, editor and author. URDirt.com is a MMA blog that covers the UFC, WEC, StrikeForce, DREAM and several other Mixed Martial Art promotions. Read more from this author

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