See this documentary from a couple years ago about "grinder/wrestler" Matt Lindland being cut from the UFC. Some say he wasn't entertaining enough.
Will Jon Fitch's story be similar, and inspire a new documentary?
People are talking like what UFC/Zuffa did is new, but they set the precedent years ago of cutting boring/talented MW contender Matt Lindland. Lindland had to take fights with Rampage and Fedor just to keep busy and kind of lost the momentum from being in a stable organization.
More entertainment than a sport.
LOL at the "bald head...lanky body...not muscular." Cmon, you coulda saved the effort and just had a pic of the below:
On the reals:
1) Though I am terribly disappointed Fitch is gone (for now), he was 1-2-1 in his last 4. Fitch and Lindland both had great overall UFC records but Lindland was actually 2-0 after his big loss to Terrell and was starting to come into his own with his ground gameat that point of his career. He TKOd Vitale with GNP iirc and tapped the MJ of BJJ in Lutter. Right after his boot from the UFC, he continued to keep tapping guys even BJJ BBs (like Lutter, not sure if Vitale was?).
2) IIRC LIndland was booted on a technicality. I think they used the excuse of him wearing some sort of clothing brand the UFC did not want or something at a weigh in? Anyhow, it was ultra convenient with their grooming of Rich Franklin as one of their early poster boys at an important time for Zuffa. They had the big Franklin/Shamrock fight which was in April of 2005 then Franklin beat fellow Quest guy (?) Tanner for the MW title in June of that year. Lindland's last fight was August of 2005.
Seeing the trouble that Franklin had with Okami and Lutter, I very much believe Lindland was a stylistic nightmare for Rich.
3) But Lindland's a Republican or thinks he's a Libertarian or whatever so...too bad for him.
Brian J DSouza -
People are talking like what UFC/Zuffa did is new, but they set the precedent years ago of cutting boring/talented MW contender Matt Lindland. Lindland had to take fights with Rampage and Fedor just to keep busy and kind of lost the momentum from being in a stable organization.
More entertainment than a sport.
I do not think UFC is at the point yet where entertainment completely trumps sporting legitimacy. The majority of contention and title shots are based on merit still. Yes, there are some super obvious questionable things going on of late but its not like that is the rule where merit is the exception.
They are walking a tight line though.
Franklin would've fucking killed Lindland had they fought. Lindland's probably the most overrated fighter in MMA history in my opinion.
SNewman - Franklin would've fucking killed Lindland had they fought. Lindland's probably the most overrated fighter in MMA history in my opinion.
Just like how Georges St-Piere would have killed Matt Serra had they fought?
You got to give guys a chance before you write them off. If a guy is promised a title shot-- like the winner of Jon Fitch vs Thiago Alves was-- they should get it.
Wasa-B, you're right that Lindland had a better recent record than Fitch with a 4-fight win streak (2 in the UFC) before he was cut.
Still lots of parallels between the two situations here.
I think this is like that bad meal where you find a band-aid in the peas or the mashed potatoes taste funny, but you are afraid to complain and keep eating what's put in front of you. Not because you like it, but because it is somewhat edible and you can swallow it.
Maybe there's more to the story. Heard that Jon turned down the last few opponents offered to him (including Ellenberger). 
Mike Russell -Maybe there's more to the story. Heard that Jon turned down the last few opponents offered to him (including Ellenberger).
Yeah, as always, we dont know the details yet. Some have mentioned Fitch had been giving Zuffa a hard time about having a sort of entitlement attitude toward another title shot without facing the top guys. Who knows if true but again, its possible - we do not yet know the details.
SNewman - Franklin would've fucking killed Lindland had they fought. Lindland's probably the most overrated fighter in MMA history in my opinion.
You probably havent seen the Okami and Lutter fights or have and just tucked it away. Those 2 fights showed that Rich was pretty vulnerable to getting taken down and put in sub danger. Lutter gassed badly and then got put away but took Rich down and had him in a good armbar attempt pretty easily. Okami pulled the same thing that Machida did vs Rampage and gave the first 2 rounds away then put Rich in all sorts of trouble when he decided to engage (kimura, guillotine). Not hard to see Lindland then taking Franklin down and controlling him on the ground and by the time he was booted, his sub skills were really starting to come around and was tapping BJJ BBs.
No guarantees but I would have bet on Lindland had they fought then.
Fitch said lots of things that would have gotten him in trouble-- complaining about being broke, that there was no big sponsorship money for fighters like him, that the seminar circuit was running dry. This was before the Silva fight where he was given a bonus.
Zuffa never forgets-- look at Dan Henderson being punished for deserting the UFC for Strikeforce back in December of 2009.
A lot of fighters have been pushing back lately, look at Tito & Cyborg making the issues about fight money and contracts. Josh Barnett not signing. Rampage shit-talking the UFC and leaving(?),
Sometimes fear can clear the air and remind everyone of the common purpose-- Zuffa's interests.
Vitor the Taxi Driver Belfort - Does it invalidate their arguments that after leaving the ufc he went 8-5 and was KO'd viciously twice and submitting twice as well. His record didn't reflect the kind of tear he was supposed to go on. I think he did match up well vs. Franklin however
13er:
Lindland was 5-1 with that loss being a controversial split decision to Rampage Jackson at 205 before facing FEDOR EMELIANENKO and losing (a bout with some controversy in itself).
He was cut in 2005 and lost to Vitor via KO in 2009. A lot can happen in four years, especially without regular fights.
Ha Brian, beat me to it. How silly is it to expect anyone to have gobe undefeated for the next 13 fights and towards the end of their career and mention the losses and conveniently leave out to whom and what weight and leave out the fact that mant thought he beat rampage.