Fitch out of UFC 132; Why This Is Good for the UFC

Jon Fitch was scheduled to fight BJ Penn in a rematch on the July 2^nd UFC 132 Card.  It was announced yesterday that Jon Fitch had sustained an injury during training severe enough to have to withdraw from the fight.  Fitch and Penn recently fought at UFC 127, which ended in a draw.  The fight was close, but in my opinion the decision should have gone to Penn, Fitch did too little too late.  The announcement of an immediate rematch was announced, and was not a surprise to anyone, however I do not think it is a fight many fans want to see.

Fitch is no doubt a top contender in the welterweight division, but he does not have a fan pleasing style.  Fitch has long been known as a grinder. He does enough to win fights, but he certainly isn’t winning over fans and crowds.  One of the reasons fans aren’t cheering for Fitch is the fact that he hasn’t finished a fight since June of 2007.  He is a large welterweight with tough top control but he doesn’t advance position or land devastating ground and pound. He seems to do just enough to avoid stand ups.  These are all contributing factors to his lack of marketability.  Penn on the other hand is a fan favorite. He has a cocky attitude, brings the fight no matter where the fight takes place. He has crisp boxing, world class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and that cocky attitude that some fans love, and others love to hate.  Hate him or Love him BJ draws fans in, and is easy to market.  With Fitch now out of the fight it gives the UFC the option to make some very entertaining, and easily marketable fights. Such fights that I personally believe will sell better than a Fitch vs. Penn rematch.

The possible match ups for BJ at Welterweight are exciting and plentiful.  Diego Sanchez has in the past mentioned how he would like another shot at BJ, and I think the fight would be entertaining, but I believe the outcome will be the same as their lightweight fight.  Last night (3/30/11) Carlos Condit also stated interest in fighting BJ Penn with a tweet stating that BJ was a legend, and that he would not hesitate to accept the fight if it was offered to him.  Beyond these fights there are plenty of other exciting match ups for Penn. Serra vs. Penn 2 would be easy to market as it keeps the rematch theme going.  Johnson is in the mix again and this could also be a very exciting match up.  The bottom line is that with Fitch out of this fight the UFC has many more marketable and profitable fights available.

While neither the UFC nor myself would ever wish injury upon a fighter this seems to be beneficial for all involved.  The UFC gets a more marketable fight, and I believe this is good for Fitch as well as Penn.  It leaves a rematch option available for a title fight in the event that Georges St. Pierre vacates the title and moves up to middleweight.  The belt being added to the picture would make this match up extremely marketable, rematch for the title works much better than immediate rematch after a controversial draw.  I fully believe BJ and Fitch will both win their next fight regardless of whom they face. They will meet again, under better conditions for the UFC.

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