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[zana1126]

Jon Fitch Not Interested in Rick Story Fight, Would Wait for BJ Penn or Georges St-Pierre | MMAWeekly.com

by Erik Fontanez

Highly ranked welterweight contender Jon Fitch is all about getting big fights. For years, he’s stepped up and fought some of the toughest opponents in the division.

As of late, one fighter who’s made waves at 170 pounds is Rick Story. The fighter out of Brave Legion in Washington State beat former title contender Thiago Alves by unanimous decision this past Saturday at UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill. In his postfight interviews, Story made it clear the most ideal next opponent for him is Fitch, citing that the wrestler out of Purdue is the next one up the rankings.

Fitch’s interest in the fight, however, doesn’t appear to be mutual.

“I’m at a point in my career where I need to be fighting main events and main event fighters,” Fitch told MMAWeekly.com. “And if you don’t have a belt, currently, or you haven’t owned a belt in the UFC, I’m not really interested.”

“I want BJ or GSP,” Fitch exclaimed. “Those are the only two guys I care (to fight) or have any interest in right now. If I (have to) sit out a year and wait for them, I’ll do it. That’s what I’m waiting to fight for.”

[goodtimes]

Makes sense for Fitch to avoid Story, the guy has wins over Hendricks, Ellenberger, and now Alves. He's still a relative unknown, and has a very good chance at beating Fitch. However, talking like that makes me care less about Fitch, and I'm sure Dana does not appreciate Fitch going the "wait it out" route when he has been so publicly opposed to fighters doing that.

[Mac]

Story hasn't earned a fight with Fitch yet. He needs to concentrate on Diego, Ellenberger or Kampmann.

Fitch should only be fighting top guys right now, he is absolutely right.

[beau420]

Originally Posted by Mac

Story hasn't earned a fight with Fitch yet. He needs to concentrate on Diego, Ellenberger or Kampmann.

Fitch should only be fighting top guys right now, he is absolutely right.

Fitch definitely hasn't earned a fight against GSP either.

Fitch is also absolutely wrong.

He is just trying to keep people from talking about Fitch vs Koscheck. Fitch will probably be healed up when Koscheck is coming back from his injuries.

[Chute_Boxe44]

Originally Posted by Mac

Story hasn't earned a fight with Fitch yet. He needs to concentrate on Diego, Ellenberger or Kampmann.

Fitch should only be fighting top guys right now, he is absolutely right.

This is true, I don't think he's quite there yet. But hey, doesn't hurt the kid to show he has some balls at least in calling out Fitch who a really frustrating match up for anyone.

It's to bad Diego is signed up to fight Hughes. Would love to see Story run through "The Dream" like a freight train.

[ckauffman28]

Fitch doesnt deserve another shot, he has done nothing to improve and hasnt finished anyone in four years...

[goodtimes]

Originally Posted by Mac

Story hasn't earned a fight with Fitch yet. He needs to concentrate on Diego, Ellenberger or Kampmann.

Fitch should only be fighting top guys right now, he is absolutely right.

He already beat Ellenberger. Story has definitely flew under the radar, but hes fought and beaten some really tough guys, where as Fitch hasn't been very active.

[NLRepublic]

Not discounting what Fitch has done in the cage since his GSP loss (while IMO it was boring as hell he had won every fight he was in) but Fitch is coming off of a draw, while Story has 6 straight wins. So he might be a little closer to deserving than Fitch wants to think considering Fitch never won his last fight

And on another point, Fitch says he should be only fighting top competition, but wins in his streak include victories over Saunders, Thiago, Gono and Pearce. While tough guys, they aren't main event fighthers, and in my opinion Story is a better fighter than all of them at this point

[pimpslappd]

I also do not agree that Fitch has earned another shot. He may have earned a rematch with BJ Penn but not GSP for the belt. Funny how Fitch says if you havent won a championship or hold one now Im not interested, considering he has yet too himself. Imagine GSP was like that. Fitch you really have to be some what exciting in your fights or at least finish one to prove you deserve another shot. It was fun to watch GSP's standup in that first fitch fight tho.

[Mac]

The Fitch hate it is obvious but saying a fighter doesn't deserve anything based off of finishing fights is absurd. If your not a fan so be it, but to say he doesn't deserve fights because he is boring is ridiculous. Go watch Monday Night Raw if you want to see people get ahead because of finishes.

Story is a very good up and coming fighter and I picked him to beat Alves but don't come at me saying he is better because he has won 6 fights in a row and Fitch is coming off of a draw. It was a draw to B.J. Penn.

Yes Story just beat Alves but the other five in that streak aren't top of the heap. And a draw against Penn is way more impressive than split decision victories over Osipcsak and Lennox.

Story is getting there and there is nothing wrong with him asking for Fitch. There is also nothing wrong with Fitch saying no thanks, he's not sitting out waiting for a title shot, he's waiting for the rematch with Penn but would also take a fight with GSP.

Oh and on top of all of that, if Dana said that he needed him to fight Story, he would do it.