Reports: UFC fighter dropped over THQ game

Thanks to a reported dispute over an upcoming THQ game, a group of Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters are about to discover if the only thing tougher than going into the Octagon is being locked out of it. According to Yahoo! Sports and Sports Illustrated, welterweight contender Jon Fitch was...

Thanks to a reported dispute over an upcoming THQ game, a group of Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters are about to discover if the only thing tougher than going into the Octagon is being locked out of it.

According to Yahoo! Sports and Sports Illustrated, welterweight contender Jon Fitch was cut from the mixed martial arts organization yesterday, and UFC president Dana White wants nothing more to do with the fighter or his fellow American Kickboxing Academy members. The dispute reportedly centered on licensing agreements for the upcoming UFC game published by THQ.

According to Yahoo, Fitch said he didn't want to sign away his name and likeness rights in a lifetime contract for the game. He said he tried to negotiate a shorter-term agreement, but the UFC refused to change its terms.

"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."

As of press time, a THQ representative had not returned a request for comment.

[UPDATE]: In a quick reversal, Fitch and the UFC reached an agreement that will see the fighter stay with the company. According to USA Today, Fitch signed the deal after his manager reached out to UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta. The fighter told the paper that the sticking point hadn't been so much about the licensing deal itself so much as White's demeanor in insisting it be signed.

77 Comments

  • Mr_Fujiv1

    Posted May 4, 2009 4:15 am PT

    hes a good fighter as well

  • Fisticuffs17

    Posted Mar 8, 2009 5:19 am PT

    reunion*

  • Fisticuffs17

    Posted Mar 8, 2009 5:18 am PT

    Im stoked for this game. Also, Nichols, you are a f*cking idiot. Absolutely stupid as hell. You really just shouldn't post anything at all. Especially obviously not knowing sh*t about the ufc. "Is Jon scared people will pick GSP and keep playing the match that he got his arse whooped in." -Nichols1984

    What a dumb comment. The dude doesn't want to sell his soul. I wouldn't either. He stood his ground and didn't let Dana push him around. The fact that You'd bash him because he lost to another Great fighter over it is rediculous.

  • Fisticuffs17

    Posted Mar 8, 2009 5:17 am PT

    Urizen5 is stupid too. And he obviously can't read. Dana White is pissing people off. Not Jon Fitch. Jesus, it'd be nice to see a video of your highschool ruin on youtube of him dropping ur ass.

  • beano99

    Posted Dec 7, 2008 12:30 am PT

    Hey everyone,

    I am really ready for this game!!! One video anyone excited for this game should watch is Dana White's Video Blog for 11/10/08. He meets with THQ about the game and the developers talk with him about the in game mechanics and it shows gameplay of two fights GSP vs BJ Penn and Nogeria Vs Brock Lesner. You can see the video on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GLRRDr4A_o

  • IRoxxorUrSoxxor

    Posted Nov 30, 2008 3:34 am PT

    The lifetime contract is totally unreasonable.

    Normally I loathe the underdog, particularly if he's ruining a good thing for everyone else, but Fitch is right here, unless he's receiving lifetime royalties under fair terms.

  • tkemory

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 11:51 am PT

    ryan71889,

    I assume you mean UFC fighter Jon Fitch? You are right, Dana White has gotten quite a big head knowing he has the best product. His treatment of the fighters is pretty bad and he has pissed off more than one fighter over his "policies".

    I think its crazy that they are asking to sign over a lifetime contract, it should be for the current year and the current year only. Heck Fitch may not even be in the UFC next year.

    As much as I hate to admit it, the UFC fighters may need to form a union (like football, baseball, etc) because right now they are getting the shaft from managment.

  • ryan71889

    Posted Nov 26, 2008 10:55 am PT

    i kinda have to agree with the ufc fighter dana white. Why does it have to be a lifetime licensing agreement? i dont know im not in the game so i dont really know anything, but id say i have to agree with em.

  • devilscry

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 2:28 pm PT

    well dana white is notorious for being an utter and total pratt and i'm not surprised at all that that was the route he took. The problem with White is he gets TOO involved personally. Perfect example is Tito Ortiz, there was alot of personal BS going on there and White basiclly wanted him out. Regardless of the business Ortiz would have done for the UFC. thats just bad business. Guy needs to seriously step back.

  • jabonetwo

    Posted Nov 24, 2008 8:50 pm PT

    TONGLONG is right who cares all i know hes on roids and when is this game coming out

  • spikex8

    Posted Nov 23, 2008 3:18 pm PT

    Threatening to boot him out of an organization that he's proven himself in because he doesn't want to be in a video game is retarded - just leave his character out of the game.

  • NuKkU

    Posted Nov 23, 2008 12:36 pm PT

    woo glad it was resolved i like finch man hes a good fighter

  • tudyniuz

    Posted Nov 23, 2008 9:50 am PT

    :O

  • Amir29

    Posted Nov 23, 2008 9:35 am PT

    I agree that a lifetime contract is not really something ANY athlete should sign. You should always leave time for renegotiation since the market and the value of a fighter may change. However, due to the short life of most of these fighters, I don't see why a 10 year contract would benefit them any better. The argument here just makes no sense, and I'm happy to see that they've resolved the issue and will seemingly bring a full roster to THQ's release. Now, let's just hope this game's mechanics aren't as disappointing as previous installments.

  • JoePiervincenti

    Posted Nov 22, 2008 4:35 pm PT

    TongLong, Jon was released by Dana White because he didn't want to sign away exclusive lifetime video game rights (including this game) but ended up getting taken back the next day. That's what it has to do with this game.

  • Nichols1984

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 9:18 pm PT

    Is Jon scared people will pick GSP and keep playing the match that he got his arse whooped in.

  • TongLong posted Nov 21, 2008 7:48 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    TongLong

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 7:48 pm PT (hide)

    What the hell does Jon Fitch getting canned have to do with this video game? Is it ever comming out is what I'd like to hear about.

  • colestanley

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 3:37 pm PT

    that sucks, he was starting to get good. i like ufc, but that's just stupid to release a guy all because he doesn't sign a life long contract

  • jables909

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 3:35 pm PT

    Dana White is a F**CKIN DUMBA$$ and all he wants is his money F**CK Dana White!!!!

  • Droogie_1

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 1:20 pm PT

    the UFC is quickly becoming bad for MMA. yeah, they created the MMA monster, but now they're going to destroy it with bone headed dana white at the helm.

  • BossStatus

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 12:56 pm PT

    I agree i dont think its fait to sign a lifetime agreement like 5 years then re-sign dont fire people cuz they dont wanna sell out damn dana white u love him and hate him at the same time

  • Urizen5

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 12:53 pm PT

    Ha ha I went to high school with Jon. The fact that this news in gamespot cracks me up. One of the most hated guys in the UFC is still making people mad. He hasn't changed a bit really. I was hoping to beat his "virtual" butt too. ha ha

  • necronaux

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 12:51 pm PT

    Jon Fitch who? Like anyone will remember you in 10 years, let alone a "lifetime" from now. Just sign the deal, regardless of whether or not you like "White's demeanor." Oh, boo, hoo, he wasn't nice enough to me so I'm not signing, whaaa. Take your millions and shut the heck up. (and, no, readers, I wouldn't be saying this to his face ;-)

  • Lauryn2000

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 12:12 pm PT

    Hey Julianwelston...Randy Couture (or however you spell his name) well in his 40's,still fighting.....

  • julianwelton

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 10:26 am PT

    I know what's wrong with a ten year contract? I doubt most of those fighters would be competing in ten years anyway, because al ot of them would be in their 40's or almost 40.

  • XiaouBreeze

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 9:55 am PT

    This type of things feel so much like when EA took over the NFL's rights few years back then. No matter how big or small the games might be, the contract with the fighters should be flexible and reasonable and be lined out for short terms, especially in the UFC/MMA world where fighters come and goes, most within few fights. If jon Fitch didn't want to 'sign' his life away for certain requirements, he's more than smart to do so because yes, few fights later, he might be the champ of his weight class and the funds might have to be 'increased.'

  • OfficialBed posted Nov 21, 2008 9:45 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    OfficialBed

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 9:45 am PT (hide)

    there is always someone crying over something

  • LancerShot

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 9:08 am PT

    You see, the UFC has a clause in all of their fighters' contracts that allows them to cut a fighter after any loss. This is why UFC fighters need a union, not unlike the players union in the NBA (or something similar). If fighters had a union, no fighters would be cut for stupid stuff like this. Look at Matt Lindland's case a few years ago, he was cut because his shirt that he wore at weigh-ins had an "illegal sponsor" on it. Fitch and the rest of The American Kickboxing Academy had no problems with him and the rest of them (Josh Koscheck included) being in the game, or signing away his likeness (EXCLUSIVELY for video games, not for merchandising or film, or anything else, so he would still be able to receive commercial endorsement and film roles.).

  • VirtuaCast

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 8:49 am PT

    Well Fitch did just recently lose his first match for the title, the thing is if he had won he probly would of gotten more money to use his name if he was champ, Fitch might become champ in the near future but would be screwd because he signed away his name for probly the best and biggest MMA game in history.

  • LancerShot

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 8:14 am PT

    Fitch and the rest of AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) have resolved their conflicts with the UFC, AKA had problems with Dana White's strong-arm negotiation tactics more than the game deal itself.

  • richioso

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 8:13 am PT

    daveneonfarrell

    you useless cretinous puddle of ignorance, why are you even reading this story if you think UFC sucks.

  • risbo_23

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 8:11 am PT

    First of all, if there weren't for Dana & Co. we wouldn't have the UFC with such awesome cards as we have today, and i probably wouldn't even bother to watch it.
    As for Fitch, he is a fool for refusing to sign a contract like that! I mean, the UFC is the fullfilment of his own dreams, and he's been signing all kinds of contracts all his life! And this game is nothing but advertising, and can do him only good! And he will be paid for all that handsomly. He signed dozens of contracts with all kinds of sponsors, and they've been using his face and his name on everyday basis. So why bullsh...ing now?
    And after all, who wouldn't wanna be a playa in an awesome video game?! :-)

  • DangerClown

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 8:06 am PT

    Hmmm...lifetime contracts. Sounds like something the devil would do.

  • enisguy

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 8:04 am PT

    Fitch has since been resigned.

  • daveneonfarrell posted Nov 21, 2008 7:32 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    daveneonfarrell

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 7:32 am PT (hide)

    UFC sucks. So does games based on it.

  • deadstarr

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 7:31 am PT

    GrimmEvil: Already? Then why bother posting this article now

  • GrimmEvil

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 7:19 am PT

    This whole issue is due to Dana White's strong-arm negotiating skills with the fighters from AKA. The point is moot however as Jon Fitch is officially back in the UFC.

  • ThAdEa82

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 7:07 am PT

    He should have signed. Doesn't look like he was full of himself so maybe he just didnt understand what it means to sign over rights for only 10 years. Did he have someone explain to him what it meant and why a lifetime contract was needed? Oh well. Game should still be good unless other fighters follow suit

  • Sandrock323

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 6:55 am PT

    Umm, that guy is stupid. You can't make game and take it back ten years later. Once you're in a game, there is no turning back.

  • shade1978x

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 6:53 am PT

    So glad to hear that Fitch is back, and it sounds like things are getting patched over with AKA and all of its fighters like Kos and Cain. Losing those guys would just be a shame. I mean, I could understand certain guys getting cut, but Fitch? When I first read that I thought it was April 1st.

    As for the game, I saw one of Dana's video blogs where he went to THQ and viewed the demo for the game with a room full of the developers and the demo looked hot. Looks like it's really coming together well. I haven't been this excited for a game in a long time.

  • Rhubarb9

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 5:37 am PT

    whats wrong with a lifetime contract? UFC is the bigger than even boxing in the US anyway

  • Paladin_King

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 5:26 am PT

    lifetime contracts are terrible ideas, and worse still, when it's basically putting a gun to your head.

    To those that don't know, apparently Josh Koscheck and Cain Valesquez (also members of AKA, like Fitch) are on the chopping block for this too. Josh isn't gone yet because he's a headliner at an upcoming UFC event and Dana feels like he owes Josh at least one more fight for having taken Alves on short notice. As far as Valesquez goes though, it's really up in the air.

    Regardless, this is ridiculous. If all three men got fired, Dana would've just dumped two of his best and most recognizable welterweights who regularly enter worldwide top ten rankings while also dumping one of the best prospects of his already thin heavyweight division, which is badly in need of such prospects. I mean, he already cut Werdum by trying to shaft him over a fluke KO after continually denying him an earned title shot. Seriously, the HW division was thin enough....the last thing he needs to do is start cutting the few names he has. Oh well, off to Affliction they go I guess.

  • ukogmickey

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 5:03 am PT

    I actually like Dana White but this time Im afraid Id have to side with Jon Fitch, The fighters are expected to just jump when Dana says so, They have to do exactly what he says and if they dont, well then we get a situation just like Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz and a few others, Jon Fitch has stood his ground and I dont blame him, 10 year contract is long enough for anyone if you ask me, Like he probs wont even be fighting in 10 years time so whats the issue here. I personally think Dana should of gone elswhere for this game rather than THQ, They are just like EA but not as bad, They are all jumped up sticky toffee noses who havnt got a clue about the gaming community, They have never delivered anything SPECIAL now have they. Stand your Ground Jon Fitch !!!!

  • cky5

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 5:03 am PT

    http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=7635&zoneid=13 lol, only lasted 24 hrs

  • sithlordadam

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 4:20 am PT

    Fitch has been re-hired so it was alot of fuss over nothing really.

  • Eat_My_Shorts35

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 4:17 am PT

    did you ever notice even AFTER barry bonds came back into baseball,they still didnt have him in any games??? it was just "Joe young". he obviously didnt have a lifetime contract, so why cant jon fitch???

  • afilgueirasjr

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 4:06 am PT

    Ok this seems like a huge miscomunication any real person in a game must sign a lifetime contract for the simple fact that they are not going to go back and remove him from the game. The contract isn't UFC it's with THQ just like the NFL and WWE everyone that is in the game has to sign that contract. Its not a work contract it is just a contract allowing THQ to use his likeness (Face, name Moveset, ect) in the game, so a 10 year contract in unreasonable because THQ will not go back and remove him from the game 10 years from now which is what would have to be done in order for THQ not to get sued for using his "Likeness" after the terms of the contract expired. I do think Dana White went too far in firing him and his team they should have just left him out of the game like they have done in the past with the Madden series when lavar arrington didn't sign off so they left him out or barry bonds in the recent baseball games

  • baystatethrashr

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 4:06 am PT

    when i read the title i thought they were gonna say the game was cancelled nice to see that it isnt. i have to agree with him though i wouldnt wanna sign away my likeness in a lifetime contract. he made the right choice

  • bentleg

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 2:42 am PT

    Sounds like he was being resonable with 10 years. But whats the diffrence between 10 years and life. Its not really as if he will be able to keep fighting much longer then 10 years anway.

  • CrazyRabbi

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 2:21 am PT

    That sucks to lose him as a fighter in the UFC but as far as the game goes it's not like I would ever pick him.

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