Dana White explains cutting Jon Fitch from UFC roster

UFC president Dana White discussed why Jon Fitch was among 16 recent cuts after the UFC 157 pre-fight press conference.
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[@jojojshmo]

You can always tell when Dana knows he's wrong because he's gets angry, defensive and starts swearing.... a lot.

[@CarseyQueen]

With now 10 years of hindsight it just seems like that's the only way Dana talks now

[@quintopartido3991]

Or rants too.

[@RationalPolice]

You don't have to be a fan of Fitch to know that cutting one of the best fighter in the division is fucked up.

[@gamegreed9105]

Especially knowing that John finch didn't have any 'God gifted Talent' the reason for all his success was he worked harder than any UFC fighter ever❗

[@SGT..ROCKtm]

Like Randy Couture, Fitch refused to sign away the rights to his likeness in perpetuity.

[@thetreverpitts]

Jon Fitch is a top 10 fighter he should not be cut when he has better record then most UFC fighters

[@jojojshmo]

"Job Fitch is too expensive". For his last fight he made $66,000. On the same card Maia made $120,000, Edgar made $120,000, Evans made $300,000, Overeem made $285,000, Aldo amde $240,000, Tyron Woodley made $87,000, Silva made $70,000, Nogueira made $174,000.....(Figures from Nevada Athletic comission). Hardly breaking the bank compared to other fighters.....I smell something.....BS

[@nevillej2010]

I'm just saying being boring isn't a reason to cut someone.

[@jman360co]

Need money

[@roronoadvegeta1219]

he didn't lose his last fight, they have to be coming off a lose to cut them. also guida has had good fights in the past, jon has had two decent fights his whole career.

[@TacticalItalian]

It's bullshit that Wanderlei can go 3-7 in his last 10 fights and still have a contract

[@IronGazille]

His excuse is that Fitch is in the downside of career ? He's only lost 3 fights and not even in a row or against some no names. He lost to top contenders and to the greatest welterweight champion that has ever been. Dan Hardy lost FOUR time in a row before finding his winning streak. Leonard Garcia is currently on a four times losing streak and a could name a couple of others. Fact is: You cut him because he is a boring fighter. At least be completely honest about it. You owe him that much

[@thetreverpitts]

Jon Fitch went on a 8 fight wins in Arow Dana

[@TheDeadStretch]

Rank 9 is down the ladder? Wtf since when did the UFC only have 10 fighters in a weightclass?

[@TheDeadStretch]

The way Dana talks, as if fighting is easy, I'd love to see him in the ring.

[@honkeykong4049]

You almost did, but Tito bitched out.

[@taylors3p]

He says it’s the downside of jon fitch’s career at that point what about Tony Ferguson? He’s on the 7 fight losing streak he’s been on the downside of his career for years now and still keeps him around. He needs to make up another excuse. Oh yeah, and let’s not forget Cody Garbrandt.

[@iamhear_officially]

It's because of Fitch's style lol everyone knew it at the time and Fitch also speaks his mind even if it's not in favour of the UFC... That's why he was cut and Dana just comes up with a BS reason like usual to justify his decisions... smh

[@erichowie1051]

Dana was completly right about Bobby Green,loved watching him come back against Jacob Volkman

[@vinnymcintosh7917]

Ah Bobby Green, just might make it big now

[@blahhayden]

I think it was mainly a matter of Fitches "high profile" pay, while fighting in undercards. I don't think he should have been cut, put Leonard Garcia before he cut Fitch. Totally unexpected!

[@Kenro200x]

Fitch got lucky how? It was a competitive fight even before Silva gassed out.

[@rosskarate123]

dana said it a few times "this is a combat sport" so who gives a fuck if he doesn't make him enough money if he is one of the best in the division you cannot justify cutting him. it becomes a farce if top 10 fighters are being cut. it makes no sense

[@GetStuffed04]

He's swearing and screaming way too much. Makes him look really uneducated.

[@chrisweber6090]

Tt

[@andrew12494]

Dana hates Jon's style. It also might be a strategy to get him to Ballator so he can put on boring fights, and bring down viewers for Bellator. And it also strikes fear in the UFC fighters to not be boring.

[@TheDrumminMan08]

He wasn't really an exciting fighter to watch (31-5... 14 by decision), or a guy who would sell many PPVs. People like to see KOs, so a fighter who can blast guys and floor them (such as Hendricks) will automatically garner a following. So if you're not a KO artist, you've still got to build hype, in that case through media presence. As much as it sucks, Diaz only got his fight with GSP because he is a trash-talking loudmouth. Sonnen is gonna get rocked by Jones for the same reason.

[@mrpeak5717]

​@@Kevin-tb8nglmaoo they made 611.9 million dollars this year alone soo 😭

[@MrRonverse]

it's gonna be interesting to see how the fights tonight turn out based on the cuts.

[@roronoadvegeta1219]

The worst cut was Che Millz IMO.

[@se.i.4393]

So sad fitch hasn't his back as khabib has. If he was that popular he would be probably on the list

[@crocop4life]

He stock dropped fast after ufc and that choke to josh burkman did most of the damage

[@bendlor]

I think it unfair to cut Fitch seeing as he's skilled and in the top 10, but on the other hand if an organization was packed with skilled fighters that don't do jack shit in the octagon, its simply gonna go bankrupt and no ones gonna want to watch. Its a double edged sword... sometimes shitty decisions have to be made for the benefit of the bigger picture... that's just the way it is. if you don't like it, go watch the organization Fitch is gonna land in.

[@Dalarna3]

"100 fighters too heavy" equals the U.F.C. not making enough money.

[@BrokenBard]

Dana's explanation makes zero sense. I bet any one of us can name 5-10 fighters that are on what he calls a "skid" WAAAYYY more than Fitch yet are still around. Look at Wanderlei. Look at Forrest. Look at Nogueira. Look at all the hundreds of "no-name" guys that are around and losing, yet still given chances. It's crazy and Dana is mentally at odds with himself.

[@London2ATL]

Dana White is so damn ruthless at the way he conducts business...the craziest shit is, he said "there's still gonna be more blood" so if Uriah loses tomorrow, I guess he gets cut too, Dana loves him some Uriah...guess Dominic Cruz better heal quickly.

[@Uncultured_Swine69]

Ohh please Dana who's saying that "this is the biggest tradgedy in the world". Fitch is not the most exciting fighter but he dominates his opposition with great MMA grappling and has been a #2 for years. The only reason why he has never earned a championship in the UFC is because of a beast called GSP. Ppl who can't appreciate his style are just a bunch of skinheads. The situation with Volkmann and Sass is also sad and some are not even on back-to-back losses but have just had a rough time.

[@BigMeatyClawss]

Because my comment said that I hated Dana White. I just saw a loophole there. I respect him for taking the blame, that takes balls. I don't mind him, but I think Fitch and Etim should not have gotten the boot.

[@jsarey]

Dana gives 26 fucks about the fighters he cut in this video.

[@blahhayden]

yeah that's absolutely true! good point Tim.

[@JasonWhitewick]

$66,000 when he loses (when he wins : $132,000) and 132k is pretty expensive for a fighter who bores the crowd to sleep, don't you think? This may just light up a fire under his ass and he's gonna destroy fighters and come back in the UFC like a fucking bulldozer.

[@KrazyJohnny]

He cut Jon because he doesn't put up with Dana's BS

[@jmartsx]

Edgar fought probably the number 3 pound for pound fighter in the UFC and could make a case that he won the fight. Bit harsh to cut him on that.

[@miguelk.705]

wouldnt it be awesome if the commissioner of the nba or any other league talked like dana white on live tv?

[@johnnybuckbrush]

Not by Dana's recent Fitch standards. Lossing to the now ranked #1 contender, then getting a win, and just now lossing to the #5 contender and he had not lost until 7 fights before these and that was to GSP. Josh is way worse. Shouldve had them fight for the spot.

[@breakdancerQ]

I feel sorry for Fitch but I think it might be a good thing for MMA. The sport needs more major organisations that can be as big on a level of the UFC, everyone wants to fight for the UFC but the UFC is not big enough to have all good fighters. I hope more credible names like Jon Fitch will end up in bellator so that this organistion will grow out as big as the UFC one day to better the sport of MMA.

[@mebooradley]

Win, get paid, keep your spot, fight and hold your ranking. Its not rocket science. Of course there is some politics there's no place that doesn't but c'mon If you walk on ranked 1 and then you slide it doesn't matter that you are holding top 10. The stakes are higher when you move for a belt and fail to maintain. Its momentum its consistency its about pushing ahead; period.

[@moreliaviridis7]

White seems unusually defensive, I believe he feels guilty too and deep inside he knows he's in the wrong.

[@Steven1992ization]

Diaz lost to Condit, so he's 1-1.

[@TheDeadStretch]

It's funny how Rankings didn't mean shit until now that they are public.

[@McClinchey09]

I hate how people assume that because hes been fighting in ufc so long that he will walk through bellator, its straight ignorance.

[@MrJosephjunior]

WHY THE FUCK WAS CHE MILLS CUT, WHEN RIDDLE LAYED ON TOP OF HIM THE WHOLE FIGHT, WTF CAN A MAN POSSIBLY DO WHEN HE CANT GET UP. MATT RIDDLE SHOULD OF BEEN CUT FOR LAYING ON HIM JUST TO GET A WIN, THAT IS RIDICULOUS

[@Demoniiiic]

Fitch is the most undeserving of the cut. He was cut because dana doesnt wanna pay him what hes contract is.

[@kaibrecher2355]

Nr6 or 7 in my Opinion GSP, Condit, Diaz, Hendricks, McDonald, Maia, Fitch, Kampmann, Ellenberger, Shields my top 10

[@elandys84]

Agree with you 100% I stopped seeing UFC as a serious organization long time ago, but that doesnt mean that i dont enjoy watching their events, as a metter of fact i watch every event and i liked it a lot, BUT they are a joke in the sense of a sport (MMA) as a whole. For example, look at the new implemented rankings, they dont mean shit!!! Number 1 contender is who Dana wants, ranked or not it doesnt matter. He always goes back and forth, and champions avoid more fights than ever lately...sad.

[@VelhaGuardaTricolor]

Anderson Silva does not fight hungry, he fights smart. And the better fighter you are the smarter you fight. What he is saying is that he wants tough man competitors swinging like crazy and bleeding as much as possible, just like Griffin v Bonnar back in the day.

[@VelhaGuardaTricolor]

To CUT FITCH just proves that the UFC is not about the BEST FIGHTERS, since you dont get much better than FITCH. It is a ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS and that is all. Well what do you expect from a Company that has to please the average american bloke. It is a country where WWE is hugely popular lets not forget. Forrest Griffin vs Stephen Bonnar is to this day the best fight in UFC history (toughman competition style) Hard Core fans of MMA like myself are getting very frustrated with the UFC

[@bigkswagga]

@Pan Tera i totally agree with what you're saying i think the reason for keeping wanderlei is just that he is a super well known fighter that has some entertaining fights h'es a legend but he kind of fucking sucks right now haha

[@dcarson89]

yea but u can stick pat on the under card and he will give u a great fight and hes not costly also if theres 100 fighters to go then id say alot of them will b ur average tuf rejects but i bet there will b a few surprises too i just think fitch was the first....

[@j300a]

1.GSP 2.Diaz(2-0 in ufc) 3.hendricks 4.condit

[@nevillej2010]

The number 9 welterweight in the world?

[@RyBread564]

everyone complains about Fitch. as soon as hes fired, people go crazy about him..

[@bkcpisme]

I have to say, I agree with Dana here as to why Fitch was cut. I, however, cannot for the life of me understand why he thinks Leonard Garcia and Dan Hardy deserve to stay in.

[@minstakes]

Please stop about Griffin and Bonnar. Silva exposed those 2 for what they were..mediocre!

[@alkeneify]

they're probably not fans but just appreciate how good he was

[@ThisGamerSeemsLegit]

Meanwhile, Tony out here on a 7 fight skid, and you know Dana's still going to give him ONE more! They would have cut him by now if they didn't think they could squeeze some more juice out of him.

[@kaibrecher2355]

I would like to see Condit/mcdonald vs Fitch

[@Kenro200x]

Oh, I'm pretty sure we'll hear news about more cuts this week. Maybe even tomorrow. Josh might be on the list.

[@le2key]

Can't over-simply things like that. Yes Jon Fitch is a veteran and top-10, but for the kind of fighter he is and the kind of draw he pulls in it's just not worth keeping him. He's not exciting enough to heavily promote, but since he's top 10 you waste even more money just keeping the guy. So you eventually end up paying a guy 6 figures that's fighting on the prelims.

[@PilcrowDesigns]

I like fitch a lot as a fighter and I think its dumb the ufc cut him. He could beat a top ten guy any given day. Ya, lately he isn't doing so good. Shit happens though. He's been in some killer fights and some dull as shit fights. But they where still fights that where talked about, good or bad. Blame the refs for not standing guys up if nothing is happening, change the rules. Or look at the guys he's fought and how many times they lost and been knocked out. Very hard fights they gave him.

[@j300a]

watched the fight many times and nick won, smart guy

[@markviman]

Why are you calling me a jackass? Tons of guys lose a championship fight and then need only 1 or 2 fights to get back another title fight. Examples? Chael, Brock, Cain, probably Junior, def Rousey if she loses, and Couture gets title shots even after he loses. Shogun - instant rematch against Machida. Machida after beating Bader, except the UFC 151 debacle screwed everything up - but he was still given the shot. Name after name. Example after example. Now how does that make me a fucking jackass?

[@210Ep3DeMic]

Dan Hardy has won his last two fights and the 4 people he lost to were Condit, GSP, AN OVERWEIGHT ANTHONY JOHNSON and chris lytle; if he were to have lost 5 times he definitely would have been cut. But they openly said before that they like Dan Hardy and would give him 4 losses instead of the usual 3

[@TheDonkeyFLOPPER]

I get the money aspect. Can't pay a guy big when he's undercard status, but there are so many other fighters that deserved the axe. Get pat barry out of the ufc if you think Fitch should be cut too. Dan hardy should be gone too. Cut koscheck now. I don't think Fitch was on the downside. He's gonna beat most guys in front of him. Give him a pay cut and be done with it

[@coolerow]

Ben Schaub is still in the UFC but they cit Fitch? wtf

[@toothpastemonkey]

Cutting athlete's like any other league (league being key word). MMA has different dynamics which makes it like unlike any other sport. Dana White haters hating any-which-way they can.

[@Spideysenses67]

i think dana should be in the "next 100 guys" that get cut

[@mikefox427]

man i miss this dana

[@theleithalweapon]

He's on a skid He's on a skid He's on a skid He's on a skid..... Jesus Dana how many times do you have to say it

[@OllyDunne24]

A, from England but I think Dana made a very good point about che mills. How ufc is the pinical off mma. If he wanted it that bad and wanted to be a champion you'd see more heart and determinant.

[@johnnybuckbrush]

Josh Koscheck??????? Why isnt he cut? Or he should be by Dana's explanation.

[@Demoniiiic]

Cant deny that at this point but to cut him is still unfair. They should talk and restructure contract.

[@phantomdancer3279]

atleast gsp dominates his fights fitch on the other hand just kept losing even though i dont agree him getting cut because there are many other fighters who are not even close to his level and they didnt get cut.

[@samxd9468]

What Fitch went 14-3-1 he only lost to GSP and one more guy (forgot the last one)

[@lionofjudah2999]

You supposed to have a good takedown defence. It makes for a boring fight to see fighters on the ground the whole fight so Chael will be cut next.

[@CesarTT81]

Wow Dana, first saying Silva's loss to Fitch was his GSP/Matt Hughes loss and now he is basically saying Silva is a nobody.

[@bkcpisme]

Yes, he's coming off of two straight wins, but before that he had 4 losses in a row. Fighters are typically cut after the third loss in a row. I'm talking about how he was kept on the roster after the fourth loss.

[@Tapewormz]

Dana makes his case, and it makes total business sense. If Jon starts winning, then he'll be back.

[@meh20knm]

Fitch is elite level, I expect he will be back in the ufc eventually

[@ProtomanButCallMeBlues]

Sorry to say. It's never happening now that he's retired

[@adrianbeltran6391]

Fortunately Fitch is doing his thing helping men

[@bordmanjr]

Cut Melvin Guillard

[@sadaqat1851]

In Simple and striaght word. UFC turning entertainment and which means soon it will be spit image of WWE. ppl started to like UFC because they were real fight not forced up setup. Dana is trying to focing ppl to change fighting styles so fights are more exciting which is not true fighting.I can bet fitch can still kick most of the division ass. just because he is not "entertaining" he is cut and more to come which means again he wants fighters to "entertain" not fight

[@utube793]

Its a combination of both... Fitch is no longer a main card material. AND it is not worth paying Jon Fitch type of money for a prelim. Its not rocket science...not sure why ppl are baffled.

[@dcarson89]

i think fitch is being made an example of datt if u dont go out der and really go after it then b ready to b cut no matter who u are cause theres 400 other fighters that will..and im a big fitch fan...also hes not the only one who makes the decisions but hes the only one who has to answer for them so dat cant b easy, also i dont no many other boses who spend so much time meeting fans and showing behind the scenes footage and all the other gud shit he does so over all hes more good then he is bad

[@livehockey09]

13:03 Dana's just talking out of his ass now

[@Delpifo]

Bottom line is that every fighter has to justify their pricetag to sell fights, and if Fitch can't do that, business is business. Eventhough Fitch seems like a genuinely good guy and an amazing cardio machine, i wouldnt pay alot of money to see him fight. So imo this was the right call by dana.

[@toothpastemonkey]

Fitch is a great fighter, he will get paid really well for any other org. He will win more at other organizations and probably win a title, thus increasing his value. He can then come back to the UFC and get paid MORE. How is this bad for Fitch? I cannot understand the reasoning behind people getting pissed off about this. If one of my favorite fighters got cut and went to another org. I WOULD STILL WATCH THEM FIGHT. I'm going to watch Fitch fight at wherever he goes. People being silly smh.

[@toothpastemonkey]

MMA is doing pretty well if the UFC can let Top 10 Fighters go, although he wasn't doing very well lately. I can't wait to see how much better Fitch is going to be in Bellator. To me this presents an opportunity for Fitch to make some waves taking on lesser opponents and get his fire back. People say not fighting the best may make you less effective as a fighter, but sometimes fighting lesser opponents can really hone your game.

[@lionofjudah2999]

You're exactly right my Brotha.

[@RoryEastwayMMA]

how so? hes only lost to anderson silva in his last 7 fights, and won the other 5 fights, hes also had a fight of the night and fight of the year in there.... so explain how he deerves to be cut? i agree when people say he doesnt deserve the chances the ufc gives him but thats because he is smart and trash talks his way up the ladders, but he still comes to fight, and still beats contenders...

[@scheissekopf92]

I think what he said make perfect sense, I like how forward Dana is plus Fitch is boring as shit and in no way was gonna be beating any top 5 guys

[@farouqmohammad1282]

Dana cut a top 10 fighter because of 1 loss. Whaaat?

[@ammarjassim9348]

well who decideswhat are these ranking based on??? didnt frankie edgar lose 3 consecutive fights????? i think they should look at the future instead of looking at their next foot step

[@XBLonTwitch]

Exactly what I was thinking, good way to put it haha.

[@lionofjudah2999]

Thats right fam. I did'nt like the way Dana threw Jon Jones up under the bus when Dana cancelled that fight when Dana Hendo pulled out. He really had our brother up against the wall. Them Crakas hated Jon for that but it wasnt his fault.

[@KCIAN2]

Before I watch it, It hardly took him 17 minutes to explain this?

[@lionofjudah2999]

Dana is a power freak Brother. The more money he gets the more confidence he has in his sick mind to push people around, you see thats what money does to some people. Money makes some people ruthless, especially money ill gotten. We have to be reminded that its always The Fighters / Players who actually makes the money for these organizations. No MMA fighters no UFC and it will come a day when The Players will organize a Players Union which will force Dana to humble himself overnight bro.

[@MARQ23]

If Fitch 10 fights by laying and praying, there is no way the UFC will give him a call... the only thing Fitch can really do now that he has been let go is change his style... For God's sake he trains a AKA with some really great strikers and striking coaches... Work on the striking and he will be back..

[@ThatCooLDUD3]

its gonna bite him in the ass once bellator picks up some nice people becomes a legit threat against the UFC

[@TheIncubusdrivenlife]

didn't even think Dana could say the F word that many times

[@erichowie1051]

UFC fighters are supppost to be well rounded -wrestling included,if mills can't get up,he should have beter takedown defence this is not k1.mma =wrestling,jitz,and various striking including boxing,muey thai,kickboxing ect.Matt riddle has been in fights where he has effectivly stood with guys and put on a show, but he can work the ground too.Che mills is a great striker but has no business going to the ground with most ufc ww's ,if he can't get riddle off him ,what's he gonna do with the elites

[@erichowie1051]

I was under the impression top10ers were safer than that.Fitch may have slid ,but can still beat 90% of the WW out there ,boringly though.Ben Askrens Bellator title might have a serious threat