Rumor: UFC, Jon Fitch Reach a Deal; Update: Dave Meltzer Confirms UFC-Jon Fitch Settlement
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 6:29 PM EST
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Sherdog reported earlier today that Fitch's management and the UFC were back in talks, and just hours later a solid source tells Bloody Elbow that Jon Fitch is back with the company, supposedly under the original terms he rejected.
Update: Apparently a couple seconds after I posted this Dave Meltzer confirmed the settlement on his website:
Jon Fitch spoke with Lorenzo Fertitta today and agreed to sign the merchandising contract. He is back in UFC and will fight Jan. 31 against Akihiro Gono as scheduled.
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My sentiments exactly. Ended up being a ton of sound, very little fury.
by Michaelthebox on Nov 20, 2008 6:31 PM EST up reply actions
Not really
We got to see two sides of a coin. We saw a hero who risked his life to save two people he didn’t know (Goran Reljic) and then we got to see Fitch cave in.
by mythbuster on Nov 20, 2008 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Not really.
I think some really interesting things came out of this, such as the issue of likeness rights, merchandising, etc. Luke’s been crowing about this for a while now, with not much attention paid by the general community mostly because there was no real face to it. The Fitch fiasco put a face to all of this, and all of a sudden, posts on blogs like this swelled up with people taking up sides, UFC vs Fitch.
I think this is just the tip of the iceberg and it just foreshadows the potential problems to come. Fights, agents and promoters alike are gonna have to reassess this stuff, as will the fans.
Wow
How will I get the last 18 hours back?
by Derek Suboticki on Nov 20, 2008 6:34 PM EST reply actions
Time to do the right thing?
With many new details of this affair now coming to light, will the BloodyElbow editors do the honorable thing and write a long retraction of all the slanderous things you said and implied?
Or will you allow the misconceptions you fabricated to linger among online MMA fans so that you may continue pushing the “Us & Fighters vs. the Evil Empire” line for page views?
Conflating the merchandising contract with the video game contract, claiming the UFC wanted fighters to sign away their likeness in perpetuity, implying the merchandising contract was exclusive, etc.
Employee is a bit of a misnomer, I think, as they don’t get paid crap.
by Richard Wade on Nov 20, 2008 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
The main source of my beef is the style of journalism practiced by MMA blogs. All the blogs are competing to be the first to break news, so they rush into posting half-baked information and, worst of all, harshly worded commentary based on one-sided and very incomplete information. If BloodyElbow had waited a day, they wouldn’t have to do 5 updates to their stories and rant about shit that’s not even happening.
If they waited a day, it would have been over.
wtf?
by dualdiagnosis on Nov 20, 2008 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly. This is just typical of someone who doesn’t understand blogs.
Blogging is about real time. Yes, there is an effort to get facts straight, but you work with the conditions you have at the time. This situation changed by the second and I worked with what I had. Did I have my own opinion? Yes. But everything I argued for I cited. You don’t have any idea what you’re talking about, syzygy2005.
You do realize that this style of blogging is very much like gossip?
Report rumor by rumor, add your own commentary to the incomplete information, stir up some emotions, damage reputations. The nuanced truth of the situation doesn’t come out until months down the road when enough things have become public.
I was posting your words
Sorry, my intent didn’t come through. Blogs and a comment board are for real time discussions, of course things will change as more information becomes available. This is not a website about the history of MMA, this is real time info, real time reporting of Fitch’s audio interviews, Dana’s statements to reporters, press releases etc,.. etc..
by dualdiagnosis on Nov 20, 2008 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
Like I said, you don't know what you're talking about
This format has nothing to do with “gossip”. That is unspecified, non-linked, non-verified innuendo. Find one example of something we didn’t cite, couch or link. You won’t.
And realtime is the appeal of blogs. The benefit of them is not just that you are free from the machine of editorial directors and publishers, its that you voice the world as you see it. That includes what information is available at the time.
No one’s reputation was damaged by ANYTHING false that was said here. Everything Fitch said he said on his own and we cited it as such. Dana said what he said and we cited it as such. We formed our own opinion in the interm. There’s nothing controversial about it.
by Luke Thomas on Nov 20, 2008 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m pretty sure the UFC’s reputation was damaged as evidenced by the masses of frothing commenters in the articles. Instead of waiting for or (heaven forbid) researching the entire story, you posted bits and pieces as they became available.
I don’t see how the fact that the bits and pieces have URLs attached to them makes this responsible journalism.
Yeah, it’s really clear you don’t understand the concept of blogging.
The way your argument is framed, I could point to any of the articles with Fitch’s statements in USA Today. By your logic, all of the facts were not out and they were publishing things that could damage reputations.
My job is to talk about the world as I see it. If I say something is true, I have evidentiary grounds to uphold. That’s why linking citing and providing nuance is a must. Responsible journalism does not mean I protect people’s views from themselves or others.
I think by posting information as soon as it hits you deprives you of the ability to write nuanced stories.
Also, that interview was from the USA Today blogging section.
Why don’t you start a MMA news site? You sound really qualified.
by dualdiagnosis on Nov 20, 2008 7:20 PM EST up reply actions
I think by posting information as soon as it hits you deprives you of the ability to write nuanced stories.
So stories that inspire lively debate about a long-standing issue within capitalist and non-capitalist nation-states around the world, and in fact the very core struggle of mankind’s will against the responsibilities of her harsh environment isn’t nuanced enough?
“Fitch wasn’t about to sign a contract for a video game yesterday because his boss was in a bad mood, but then he talked to another boss and now all is fine.”
Lacks the energy and nuance I think.
But even moreso, everyone here has already mentioned that you seem to simply be un-approving of the very nature of blogs wherein people post and discuss a current or past event/item and share information and ideas about said event/item, and seem to really just want to know what’s already happened as hard facts.
Oh well.
I didn’t conflate it, I made it 100% clear they were separate.
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
From “Will Jon Fitch Open the Flood-gates?” by Mike Fagan:
“Fitch, meanwhile, feels that UFC pay and exposure don’t make up what he loses in giving away his likeness and name rights to Zuffa and feels he can make a comfortable living fighting elsewhere. Hence, Jon Fitch no longer is employed by Zuffa LLC.”
I don’t consider this 100% clear, or very much in context.
The site has different bloggers with different views.
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
You seem to not understand the concept of a blog, so I’ll just leave it there. Your view is akin to saying a blogger focusing on a war shouldn’t make comments based on real time news he hears because history will have a much more complete view of things. Maybe a blogger in 2003 should have waited until now to talk about the war.
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Are you really saying the only choices are a) wait 5 years, or b) post as soon as it hits your RSS feed? I think 24 hours would be better than both.
But I’m not even suggesting you wait that long either. I suggest you write an article that shows the entire story of the matter and point out where you were wrong in your previous posts.
That’s a limitation that has probably contributed to better journalistic practices. Instead of publishing an article every 30 minutes as information comes in, they wait a whole day (or longer) until they have an entire story to publish.
But as long as all the facts are pointed out does it matter which method is used? I mean, what did BE put out that wasn’t true?
My point is that they put out a very one-sided view of the events by posting bits of information as they came in. Had they waited 24 hours or did their own research, they could have come up with a nuanced view of the situation and an interesting view of the state of the MMA business.
Here’s some of the stuff that they missed:
-Existing bout agreements signed by all UFC fighters already grant UFC non-exclusive LIFETIME video game rights. This contract moved it up to exclusive.
-Jon Fitch was not actually upset about the contract, but the manner in which it was presented.
-Other fighters, such as ATT, didn’t think the new agreement was much of a concern and readily signed the contract. Big name fighters also didn’t have a problem with the contract.
-The matter lasted less than 24 hours and ended up being resolved amicably within a day.
Yeah, we didn’t miss any of those. You just didn’t read everything.
And ATT isn’t a fighter. It’s a fight team, boss man.
Are you seriously going to give me crap about word omissions?
I’m saying the problem is that you post pieces of a story hours apart, allowing public opinion to be polarized and provoking emotional responses fromthe readers. This damages the sport and the fanbase.
I’m suggesting that either you a) wait 24 hours until you have most of a story, or b) post as you normally do, but at the end provide a wrap-up for your readers that presents both sides of a story, so that the audience isn’t left embittered and disenchanted with the sport.
This is how every blog operates. That by definition is a BLOG. MMAJunkie is over that way. You’re basically asking BE to stop being a blog and become a newspaper.
What you just said is option A. I also suggested an option B.
However, I don’t really believe we will see either implemented, but I’m hoping the BE editors get a bit more perspective on their influence on the sport. I’m convinced the UFC hate-fests promoted by this type of blogging are damaging the sport.
Maybe that’s too optimistic as well, seeing as how Luke Thomas responds to reader criticism by covering his ears and screaming “you don’t get it, you don’t get it!”
That’s the second time someone has accused me of trolling on this thread. I don’t really know what to say. When someone makes a point you don’t like, you call it trolling?
You’re not trolling, you’re just wrong.
BE posting the info about this as it came to light will damage the UFC’s reputation about as much as losing Jon Fitch would damage UFC’s PPV buys.
If you can find an article about this whole thing that’s more nuanced that the info posted in the last 24 hours on this site, I’ll be very surprised.
Otherwise, if you don’t like it, in the words of DW himself, you can “get the fuck out”.
by thepenismightier on Nov 20, 2008 8:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Read the hate-fests from the original posts, and tell me those people aren’t upset. You think those emotions and viewpoints disappear when BE (or whatever blog) publishes another story with more information?
Read Sherdog or the Underground and see how many people still carry around misconceptions about what has transpired in the affairs involving Matt Lindland, Frank Shamrock, Randy Couture, Matt Cuban, Tito Ortiz, and others. Incomplete information has a damaging effect on people’s beliefs and opinions.
It causes real long-term damage to the UFC and the sport.
If this story gets any real traction, you might see more nuanced and complete coverage from print media.
There is also the other alternative that I’ve been suggesting all along: now that most of the story is available, BE should do a balanced and informed piece on the role of managers, contracts, ancilliary rights, etc in today’s MMA business. It might help undo some of the damage.
You’re greatly over dramatizing the drama, this is just how mma on the internet works.
Look at the post about ATT not having any problems with the merchandising agreement or the video game agreement, it has like 10 posts.
Whenever anything remotely negative about the UFC comes out, people jump all over it, if there is something positive, people ignore it.
BE did a good job of keeping people apprised of the situation as it happened. They reported that Fitch was cut, when he said stuff they reported it, they reported what Dana said, they reported what ATT said (and everyone else ignored it) and they put their opinion in throughout.
or b) post as you normally do, but at the end provide a wrap-up for your readers that presents both sides of a story, so that the audience isn’t left embittered and disenchanted with the sport.
His job is not to provide both sides of a story, that is for the people involved to do, as they did. His job chosen craft is to express and share his feelings on current events. If his one-sided reporting is not to your liking, and you’re already familiar with RSS, why not find good writers of different viewpoints to subscribe to?
That would help you avoid the emotional apocalypse of Luke posting an opinion with opposing viewpoints nowhere to be seen other than three inches below.
at a minimum at least post what the head of ATT said bout this whole thing…
It was a non issue that fitch’s managers wanted to use to get one over on Dana.
I think the word you’re looking for is libelous. Also, I think you’re more than a little off base with your claims.
by Richard Wade on Nov 20, 2008 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
I would appreciate your perspective on my comments if they were deeper than attempts at a snarky reply.
Just like that popular couple in high school
They are on again. Off again. You never know whats going on with those crazy kids.
And so ends the tale of Jon Fitch, folk hero.
by Brett Jones on Nov 20, 2008 6:42 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Can we bump the rescuer to the top fo this page now?
rumor has it he left kicked the windsheild through
yepp
so… i take it cain and kos are safe as well or what
True true
you notice he called Lorenzo and not Dana. This adds to my theory that Dana is about three inches from the door.
Tito said the same
He said he would deal with Lorenzo if back in the UFC, NOT DANA!
by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 20, 2008 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
Well, Jeeze, Dana should step down
That big old meanie.
by dualdiagnosis on Nov 20, 2008 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
Dana isn’t going anywhere.
They would have tossed him when over the Tito flap if there was a chance, Tito from the last time there was drama is
I'm not so sure.
I’ve made the argument before. Rome posted an article a while back about Lorenzo taking a more active role in the UFC, resigning his position in Station casino (this is before the economic troubles). With some of the changes we’ve seen, I’ve wondered how much control Dana actually has, and if he only still has an actual job because he’s sort of set himself up as the face of the UFC.
Haha, what a goon. It is classic good cop, bad cop. Even you fall for it. Dana and Lorenzo are inseparable.
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
Dana and Lorenzeo are like blood brothers. They live next door to each other, their families are inseparable, they are inseparable. There is zero power struggle. They are just using each other’s strengths to get what they want.
Let’s review the final result:
—Jon Fitch is back
—He signed the original merch deal
—All agents are on notice about playing hardball
—Nobody will refuse to sign it.
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
That’s one conclusion and a cynical one at that. Lorenzo is Dr. Evil, a nice man normally but behind the scenes is a diabolical schemer. Dana White is his attack dog and only does his bidding?
No, thats not what I think. I think they are business partners who do what it takes to get things done, and exploit what they are both good at.
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 7:05 PM EST up reply actions
You can see this two ways.
- Dana is an ego maniacal who goes out of control only to have Lorenzo with his cool head comes in and settle things amicably.
or - Lorenzo and Dana White are diabolical schemers.
Since neither of us know the real facts, I prefer to think Lorenzo’s a good guy until proven otherwise. You can form your own opinion.
That is what he’s missing for some reason. I just think they’re smart businesspeople. I’m not making a moral judgment about it. I think they clearly outplayed Fitch’s management.
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 7:12 PM EST up reply actions
What up Cyph
I’m not asking disrespectfully, i’m not trying to single you out at all, and I hardly ever comment, I like to leave it to you guys (fun stuff by the way, all of you!) , but I was wondering why you think Lorenzo Fertitta is a good guy?
I don’t mean to say that he isn’t a good guy, but since he isn’t a very public person, i was wondering if there was some cool shit that he’s done that sways your opinion in that direction. My first thought is that he’s a Billionaire who came up in Vegas, and my gut tells me that those Vegas cats have to be smarter than the av-e-rage bear.
Remember in “The Usual Suspects” when Kevin Spacey’s character said, “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist?” I think this is probably one of those situations, I mean in Vegas, you gotta be RUTHLESS, but still be able to get people to eat out of your hand, a tough balancing act to pull off. I think that’s why he’s a Billionaire and Dana isn’t. You can’t make that kind of money without stepping on some toes and being a badass in some sense of the word.
Again, no disrespect, not trying to single you out, i’m just a bit baked and having a moment. I agree with a lot of your other opinions, but on this one, I’m on board with the Good Cop/Bad Cop theory.
"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"
by RearNakedChoker on Nov 21, 2008 4:27 AM EST up reply actions
Plus, it seems pretty dumb to play good cop/bad cop considering this does more damage to their reputation than any perceived benefits that may come out of this. Does this put everyone on notice? Yes, but this also makes everyone more wary of the UFC, turns away the fans, and generally put the UFC management in a bad light. It just makes Dana White and the UFC ultimate douche bags. I can’t imagine that they actually concocted this douchebaggery schemes rather than the fact taht Dana White just flew off the handle which is his modus operandi.
I think the 10 other good cop bad cop analogies gave it away.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 20, 2008 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
you know you should really look into being Josh Gross’s sidekick
by mmalogic on Nov 20, 2008 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
How many people wanna be John Fitch
in the next video game?
by dualdiagnosis on Nov 20, 2008 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
I want to be champ with everyone.
But he won’t be played first.
by Eugene Schelfaut on Nov 20, 2008 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
Christian Wellisch has also been reinstated.
But no one cares…
by Eugene Schelfaut on Nov 20, 2008 6:50 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
He had agreed to sign the merchandising contract but was fired as part of the blow-up between Dana White and Zinkin Entertainment, his management company.
He signed the contract and they fired him anyway. LOL.
Yup, that is just wrong.
Talk about innocent bystander.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Nov 20, 2008 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
I'll have a mod made for it
that lets me play Carano ;)
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
Up, up, down, down, left, down, right, up, a, b, b, a
Once you hear the confirmation sound of Goldberg saying ‘and here we go’…you will get to play her nude.
I think it’ll be more subtle…like lower bonuses in the future.
by Michael Rome on Nov 20, 2008 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
naw, fitch will just suck in the video game
by dbcb on Nov 20, 2008 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
It will be bad to really bad…
eating where you just shit vs eating where you just shit with mexican diarrhea… depending on how Dana takes it.
worst case obviously is another cycle of this shit… why would this idiot open his mouth?
He went back and signed the damn thing he’s been whining about.
About 80% of what he said was fine – he should have just stayed within that line… but some things just crossed it.
lots of good his managers did for him.
I think it's important to note that this deal was done through Fertitta..
and not Dana. I’m guessing Fertitta finessed the deal a bit better than Dana could have. Hopefully Fitch was able to sweeten the deal a bit.
Shame on anyone here coming down hard on Fitch over this. You have to protect yourself and your family. Not everyone falls in line with everyone else. If that was the case, blacks would still not be allowed to vote. Extreme example yes, but you need to stick up for what is right sometimes however unpopular that may be.
heh
Fitch lasts 5 rounds against GSP, but can’t last one against Dana… Dana wins via fireyourassoplata.
It's a pretty effective submission move
in this economy. Go figure..
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