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**Chileandude** · 02-28-2011, 02:35 AM

I was gonna write something about this very subject but luckily for my the fine blokes at bloody elbow have beaten me to the punch so here's the link instead.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/2/27...erfect-outcome

Quote:

When it was announced that Jon Fitch and B.J. Penn would be fighting at UFC 127, many observers were surprised by the news. Sure, ultimately the bout would produce a challenger to rematch Georges St. Pierre for the welterweight title, but it was a risky fight for Penn and one that many felt likely to put Fitch back in a title bout that the UFC was not too thrilled to give him. But at least there was a "next step" for the winner.

Then, as Anderson Silva prepared to kick Vitor Belfort's face off, the UFC began to talk about Silva vs. GSP as a fight that they were ready to make should Silva beat Belfort (he did) and St. Pierre defeat Jake Shields (he will). Suddenly the "next step" was gone as Penn and Fitch were still fighting for a likely title shot, but not one against anyone in particular. Over the past week Carlos Condit's name kept coming up as the guy to challenge the winner for the vacated welterweight strap. But Jon Fitch vs. Carlos Condit would draw approximately 4 buys and would need a big fight on top of it.

Instead, the UFC was handed a gift last night. A competitive and exciting (in my eyes, anyway) bout between Penn and Fitch that gave no closure. Both men said after the fight that they would be interested in a rematch. Should GSP jump to middleweight you now have a ready made title fight with history to sell in the rematch. And the wait for the rematch also allows time for a guy like Condit to recover from his injury and get another fight under his belt to establish himself as a challenger or Shields to rebound for a potential second crack at the title.

Regardless of who the next challenger is, the UFC got a perfect result that doesn't leave the division in a completely uncertain situation. Neither fighter got the win, but the promotion certainly did.

**Machida Karate** · 02-28-2011, 02:40 AM

THis is going to be a interesting RM

**No_Mercy** · 02-28-2011, 02:41 AM

Interestingly enough I was thinking the same thing after they announced the draw decision. That was the best possible outcome considering Fitch took over the 3rd round. So close for BJ...

**Machida Karate** · 02-28-2011, 02:46 AM

If Bj was able to keep the fight standing the 3rd round i would of been Giddy with excitement... I was really happy to see how good he did the first 2 rounds, but thought the second round was really close....

I think if you look at it as a overall fight, i think Fitch did more then BJ just because the 3rd round was such a dominate round, and the 2nd was so close.

drey2k · 02-28-2011, 02:59 AM

IF these guys fought in Japan Penn would lose because in real MMA judging they don't score MMA fights round by round, they score them properly.

**Chileandude** · 02-28-2011, 03:56 PM

So what does everyone think of a 5 round rematch?

SonOfZion · 02-28-2011, 04:03 PM

Condit is one of the most exciting fighters in the division. I would be excited for him to have a title shot. I think Condit vs Penn would be the most exciting fight but Condit vs Fitch is fight that should happen.

Condit will get screwed out of it tho, just like he was screwed out of a decision vs Kampmann and screwed out of a unification title shot when he came from WEC. He will just keep doing what he does, put on thrilling fights and finish ppl.

Adam365 · 03-01-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

But Jon Fitch vs. Carlos Condit would draw approximately 4 buys and would need a big fight on top of it.

LOL! So true.

**MrObjective** · 03-01-2011, 11:00 AM

I kind of want to see Fitch fight Rick Story now, win or lose to Alves. Mike Pierce, GSP and Penn had no problem taking him down. Or even Ellenberger.