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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
When Rousimar Palhares was released from the UFC last year, former UFC competitor turned World Series of Fighting welterweight Jon Fitch said he wouldn't take a fight with the controversial Brazilian. Fitch felt Palhares - who was released for holding onto a submission too long yet again - was a cheater, and a fighter he had no desire to compete against.
However, that's the fight Fitch has on Saturday night at WSOF 16 on NBC Sports Network. The title challenger said this week that the only reason he's fighting Palhares is because of the belt around the Brazilian's waist, and he wouldn't have taken the fight otherwise.
"He's known for, you know, kind of cheating, I don't know how else to put it," Fitch said this week on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. "In a way that hurts people and could possibly end careers. I think it's crazy. It's really unprofessional."
"He has a belt, he has what I want, and I'm going to take it. If there wasn't a belt, I wouldn't do it... If he wants to turn it into a street fight, I'll turn it into a street fight."
Penick's Analysis: Fitch was among many who said they wouldn't accept a fight with Palhares before the WSOF signed him, but with them giving Palhares an opportunity, and him capturing the title, this ultimately became the right fight to make. But if Fitch can beat Palhares decisively to take that title, then he may not have to worry about ever having to fight him again.
[Jon Fitch art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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