This past weekend at Bellator 246, long time MMA vet Jon Fitch (32-8-2, 1 NC) decided to call it a career. The 42 year old Fitch has had a pretty decent career that has spanned eighteen years and has taken him all over the world.
Fitch appeared to be having fun at Bellator 246. He looked a lot loser, and appeared to be having a good time in the cage before getting caught in a submission. He seemed to be really comfortable with the decision to walking away from MMA and Bellator.
“I’m having fun, but at the same time, the body doesn’t react the way I want it to anymore. The recovery time is not the same…I think it’s a great time,” Fitch said to the media regarding his decision to call it a career.
UFC to WSOF to Bellator
Fitch might have been the most exciting fighter, but he will go down in history as a very good one. Before his final few fights in Bellator, Fitch made his name in the UFC. Fitch started his UFC career 8-0 before losing to Georges St. Pierre in his lone UFC title shot.
Fitch’s run in the UFC including wins over guys like Diego Sanchez, Paulo Thiago, Thiago Alves, and Erick Silva. Following some deputes with the UFC and a loss to Demian Maia, Fitch was cut. He then went to WSOF.
Fitch would go on to become WSOF/PFL welterweight champ which included a title defense over Jake Shields. He then made the move over to Bellator for the final three fights of his career. Fitch started out win a win over Paul Daley at Bellator 199.
Fitch then got a title match with Rory MacDonald which resulted in a draw. He took a year and a half off prior to Saturday’s fight at Bellator 246. Following his Heel Hook loss to Neiman Gracie, Fitch laid his gloves in the center of the cage and said that he was done.
Again, Jon Fitch might not have had the sexiest MMA career, but he was a very good fighter. He was effective and efficient the way he used his wrestling inside the cage. How will you remember the MMA career of Jon Fitch?