With His Documentary "Such Great Heights" Getting Rave Reviews, Jon Fitch Prepares for Thiago Alves at UFC 117

Ariel Helwani loves him some "Such Great Heights":

Such Great Heights does a fine job of capturing the roller coaster ride of emotions leading up to a fighter's first major title shot. And Fitch proves to be a great subject, as he comes across as a humble, focused and hard-working fighter, who has been waiting his entire fighting life for a shot at the champion. 

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So it was interesting, at least to me, to learn more about Fitch the fighter, the soon-to-be husband and the budding comedian, while stepping into his mind as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career. So captivating was the footage shot in the moments before his fight against GSP that I found myself lost in the film, completely forgetting the outcome. And once you are reminded that Fitch did lose via unanimous decision, viewers are offered a rare and emotional glimpse into what it's like to be a fighter who was just beat up for 25 minutes on the biggest stage of his sport. 

And if you aren't a fan of Fitch, there is still much to capture your interest, because what makes this film stand out is the way the filmmakers weaved in a unique cast of characters who help keep the AKA wheel turning every day. 

Most notably, AKA head trainer "Crazy" Bob Cook and Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu instructor Dave Camarillo play a huge role in the film. All you have to do is hear the passion in Cook's voice when he talks about how all he wants is "a homegrown UFC champion" or the emotion when Camarillo says that "this is the biggest thing" he has ever been a part of while staring at a UFC 87 poster, to understand just how close-knit the AKA team really is.

The trailer for the documentary is in the full entry.

Dave Meltzer talked to Fitch about the training he's been doing to prepare for the Thiago Alves rematch:

Fitch, 32, expects his wrestling to be at peak levels for the fight. There has been a heavy emphasis on that sport at AKA over the past few weeks, and will continue until the end of this year. Fitch is facing a striker who is hard to take down in Alves. The upcoming Koscheck vs. St. Pierre and Cain Velasquez vs. Brock Lesnar fights make the gym's big three fights for the remainder of the year all ones where wrestling is expected to be the most important component.

"The gym is filled with great wrestlers. Every Tuesday, we do a hard wrestling practice just like in college. Daniel Cormier [2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympian] runs the practice."

Fitch noted Cormier has also upped everyone's mental game.

"He came into the gym and said that nobody can take him down," he said. "He came in with that attitude even though we had guys like [2008 NCAA champion] Phil Davis and Cain."

The current wrestling practice roster also includes Fitch, who was the team captain at Purdue; three former NCAA champions in Koscheck, Davis and Mark Ellis; Trevor Prangley (former South African champion), Bobby Lashley (three-time NAIA champion and second in the world military games); and Velasquez (heavyweight All-American).

Fitch also tells Meltzer that if Josh Koscheck beats Georges St Pierre and takes the title that he will move up to middleweight rather than "break up the (AKA) gym" where Fitch and Koscheck both train.