Former welterweight number one contender, Jon Fitch has been released from his contract with the UFC along with heavyweight Christian Wellisch.

UFC President Dana White let it be known he no longer wants to work with fighters from the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose or those represented by DeWayne Zinkin and “Crazy” Bob Cook.

What is White upset about and why would Fitch and Wellisch be released from their contracts? According to sources, it stems from a merchandising deal and their refusual of signing over their likeness for the organization’s video game for life.

Popular Ultimate Fighter veteran, Josh Koscheck and undefeated heavyweight standout Cain Velasquez also seem to be in danger.  Fortunately for Koscheck he is headlining the UFC’s next main event on the December 10 Fight for the Troops card.  Otherwise he may have already been forced to walk the plank.

“We’re looking for guys who want to work with us and not against us, and frankly I’m just so [expletive] sick of this [expletive] it’s not even funny. Affliction is still out there trying to build its company. Let [Fitch] go work with them. Let him see what he thinks of those [expletives]. [Expletive] him. These guys aren’t partners with us. [Expletive] them. All of them, every last [expletive] one of them…”

Fitch said he plans to talk with White and seems perplexed at the whole thing considering he has yet to speak to the UFC President.  Fitch was prepared to sign a deal for a certain length of time such as ten years but to sign away his likeness for life seemed unreasonable according to the fighter.  

“He wanted us to sign that merchandising agreement, and it was not a very good agreement,” Fitch said. “There was not really a reason for us to sign it. The first thing they brought to us was for us to sign all of our rights away for everything forever. It was for very small compensation, and there was no compensation for family members if we were to die.”

Yahoo! Sports has the full story on Dana’s rant, Jon Fitch’s side of the story, and other fighters who could possibly feel the wrath of Dana White including the entire American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose . 

This story is far from over so stay tuned to PRO MMA (www.promma.info) for more news on this developing situation.

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