THE D.NEIGHBORHOOD: Speak Up Fitch!

Rebney expressed respect for Fitch’s accomplishments in the sport but cited Bellator’s depth at welterweight as one of the reasons for his lack of interest.

     That’s a fair statement. Bellator is developing fighters with no UFC experience into standouts at welterweight. Andre Koreshkov (13-0) will challenge division champion Ben Askren some time in the near future. Karl Amoussou (16-5) looked impressive during his tournament run before Askren defeated him by TKO in January. Douglas Lima (24-5) will challenge UFC veteran Ben Saunders in pursuit of his second welterweight tournament victory after his dominant win over Bryan Baker in Salt Lake City. At only 25-years-old Lima already owns a win over Saunders, but just like Amoussou, he’s already lost to Askren.

     What do Koreshkov, Lima, and Amoussou all have in common? None of them are native English speakers. Lima’s English has improved over time and he is able to communicate more than well enough to fulfill media obligations but is by no means considered a household name in MMA. Amoussou speaks only limited English although when he does he certainly makes it count as evidenced during the pre-fight promotional segments SpikeTV aired before his fight with Askren. Koreshkov communicates through a translator. If Koreshkov goes on to lose to Askren, suddenly Bellator’s homegrown depth at welterweight will seem more like three fighters who can only warrant so much U.S. media attention and has already lost to Ben Askren.

     Just how many other Bellator staples need a voice-over to speak to U.S. television audiences? Well there’s bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas, last night’s featherweight tournament winner Shahbulat Shamhalaev, lightweight tournament finalist Marcin Held, middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko, light-heavyweight champion Christian M’Pumbu, and heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov just to name a few. That means Bellator could potentially end up with every title in the organization held by a non-native English speaker in only a few months time. That sounds like a difficult position for an MMA promotion who hosts all of its events in North America and is primarily focused on North American television ratings. While champions like Pat Curran and Michael Chandler aren’t likely to be dethroned anytime soon, Lawal’s upset at the hands of Newton reminds us that anything can happen in a sport contested with five-ounce gloves on. Maybe another well-known English speaking proven MMA commodity would be worth the expense and risk of derailing promising prospects at Welterweight…provided Fitch was willing to speak recklessly.

     In the aftermath of Fitch’s release from the UFC much has been said and written about the role Fitch’s wrestling-heavy approach to fighting

factored into the UFC’s decision to let him go. But aside from superior submission defense how much different is Jon Fitch’s fighting style to say…Chael Sonnen’s? With the exception of his bout against the grappling deficient Brian Stann the FuelTV anchor and The Ultimate Fighter coach wins by decision or he doesn’t win at all. But unlike Fitch, Sonnen has been able to maximize his earnings and standing within the UFC by disrespecting his opponents and shamelessly promoting himself. Jon Fitch didn’t get released from the UFC because he failed to perform or should have changed his fighting style to please fans. In reality Fitch got released because he refused to say outlandish things in order to promote a fight.

     Muhammed Lawal was willing to promote himself and Bellator’s parent company Viacom saw enough value in that to sign him to a multi-fight contract along with a TNA Wrestling tie-in. Rebney and company aren’t interested in Jon Fitch right now…but if Fitch were to go on every MMA radio show and mock Ben Askren’s hair, things could change. It’s not like Fitch, but at 35-years-old as of Sunday and with very little chance of returning to the UFC, maybe he’ll set his mind to cashing out before retirement. Karl Amoussou might beg Rebney to sign Fitch if Jon publicly called Amoussou’s homeland of France a bunch of socialists (that actually sounds like Fitch if you read his twitter). Andre Koreshkov might take serious offense to Fitch asking him how his meteorite tasted. Douglas Lima would probably be irate if Fitch labeled American Top Team the junior varsity American Kickboxing Academy. None of these insults seem typical of how Fitch has conducted himself throughout his career but if Jon wants a chance at a lucrative Bellator contract before hanging up his gloves he should consider saying things like “Don’t Be Scared Rebney!” to whomever will listen.