Well, that didn't take long, did it? Perhaps it was more of an indication of the other options available in the MMA marketplace today. Jon Fitch is back with the UFC after less than a day following a dispute on his signing over his likeness for the company to use in video games and subsequent release.
All indications are that the rest of the American Kickboxing Academy (including Josh Koscheck and Cain Velasquez) will sign the video game agreements as well and continue their UFC contracts.
So what happened? It took UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta to close the deal, according to MMARated.com, who broke the story today.
“Communication kind of broke down with Dana (White) so we talked with Lorenzo,” Fitch told MMARated. “(I) just got off the phone with him and we came to an agreement. We’re going to move ahead and I’ll be back in the UFC."
- B/R Ticket Guide
"We’re going to sign off on the video game and I’m back. It was never even about the agreement or the contract. It was the approach that we felt Dana was being a little bit hot-headed and was threatening us right off the bat. It didn’t seem like a professional way of doing things.”
In a talk with MMAWeekly.com, AKA Trainer Bob Cook said that everything has been settled and that he had a call out to White to help clear the air. A conversation between Fitch and White earlier in the day started the process and Fertitta was asked to join by Cook because their personalities "mesh(ed) a little better."
Ultimately, it was 24 hours that led to the same conclusion: signatures on a piece of paper. However, you have to think the wounds from this very public debate—and especially White's comments to Yahoo's Kevin Iole—are going to take a while to heal.
I love White's personality and passion, but there is a time and a place to unload both barrels. I don't think this setting was the right place to do it.
Josh Nason has written and maintained Ropes, Ring and Cage since 2007 and can be reached at josh@ropesringandcage.com. If you are using any content or recapping from this site, please include a link to www.ropesringandcage.com. Thank you for your support!
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about 1 month ago
How is this guy making money? I can't believe the UFC can continue to have increased revenue when Dana White runs the organization likea mob boss.
about 1 month ago
Because they put on a good product, lots of free shows and overall, great fights. Even if you don't like White's public tactics at times, he's a major reason why MMA is successful at an international level now. It wasn't going to happen on its own, you know?
about 1 month ago
Power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately. Dana's the guy with the BIG chip stack at the table now and can push everyone else around. It's a powerful, if not very friendly, way to get what he wants.
I'm willing to bet he purposely went off like that just to show everyone else, fighters, managers, agents, gyms, etc.. that acting against him, AT ALL, won't be tolerated. Truth be told, at this point in time, he needs fighters a lot less than they need him. All the stars from TUF prove that.
I had a good mentor who taught me a lot about business. He was a good guy but he was tough, and savvy. He once had some trouble with a guy who was spreading rumors and just generally getting the other employees to think they deserved more (I thought he was more than fair) so just to make a point and shut down a small rebellion, he fired the guy at our company meeting because the guy was rude to him and then when his crony tried to speak up for him he fired him too. Right then and there. Rebellion stopped, people went back to work and were actually happy again. The grass isn't always greener.
In this case I think Dana is being an ASS though.
This is also exactly why Affliction, M1 and other promotions NEED to be around.
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