thats a surprise!
Well no shit, sherlock.
If everyone fought like Fitch the UFC would still be relegated to VHS tapes.
I really wish he would just shut it and quit whining about everything.
He doesn't have wins over anyone in ths current top 10, he was lucky to get a draw with Penn and he didn't even last 15 seconds in his last fight. 
The people who run major sporting organizations could not give a shit about fairness in rankings, etc.
This is why the MLB has no salary cap. They couldn't give a shit if the small markets can barely compete in a sporting environment. The businessmen who run it only care about making that Anderson Silva money. The perception that it is a competitive league is a farce foisted upon the retarded masses of baseball fans.
All professional sports leagues are a horse and pony show made for entertainment. Do people REALLY think players feel an ounce of loyalty to their teams? To the regions they play in? To the integrity of the game? No.
Chael Sonnen realizes this and that's why he is now making fat paychecks.
Fitch has a lot to learn.
Willin_But_Not_Chaeble -Well no shit, sherlock.
If everyone fought like Fitch the UFC would still be relegated to VHS tapes.
Great one
Just a quick chime in. Leaving Fitch's fighting style out of this, he is correct. This is something I struggle with. As a fan, I am all about exciting fights but at the same time, there's got to be a better way of determining a true #1 contender. Tournament style would be ideal. I really like Bellator's format and I know the UFC isn't interested in mimicking it.
Do we just continue to label the UFC a business or is there a way to legitimize it as a TRUE sport?
Well it is a business..... 
IF it was all about money he would have never been #2.
Hard to take the UFC seriously when they have their champions fighting guys not even in their weight classes, just because it would make them more money
TeamRenzo - IF it was all about money he would have never been #2.
But he did have to go on an 8 fight win streak to even get a title shot...
OnlyTheStrongSurvive -I really wish he would just shut it and quit whining about everything.
He doesn't have wins over anyone in ths current top 10, he was lucky to get a draw with Penn and he didn't even last 15 seconds in his last fight.
To Fitch's credit, some thought he won that fight, including one of the judges.
And as for his KO loss, remember who knocked him out. It's the same guy fighting for #1 Contendership.
I'm really hoping for Fitch's sake, he can finish Silva. Highly unlikely to expect a finish from him on Silva, but a decision win over Erick won't do much for his cause. He needs to win decisively.
The 1 time I will ever agree with Fitch.
“My head wasn’t even in the fight in the first place. I fought because I needed money. I should have pulled out of the fight because I had a second-degree MCL tear in my right knee. I wasn’t able to grapple or wrestle at all during the training camp,” he said. Still, he refuses to make excuses, and takes responsibility for the loss.
The article continues with an early stoppage excuse, lol.
If we are talking about title shots, you don't get one just by being popular or an exciting fighter.
..and the point is?
Big EP - Just a quick chime in. Leaving Fitch's fighting style out of this, he is correct. This is something I struggle with. As a fan, I am all about exciting fights but at the same time, there's got to be a better way of determining a true #1 contender. Tournament style would be ideal. I really like Bellator's format and I know the UFC isn't interested in mimicking it.
Do we just continue to label the UFC a business or is there a way to legitimize it as a TRUE sport?
I think the only way to reconcile your psychological discrepancy is to change your philosophical perspective.
All major league sports are horseshit in terms of "integrity of the sport." It's all about entertainment so just take it for what it is.
People have been deluded over the years into taking sporting events far too seriously and this has only been hastened by the advent of major sports broadcasters.
Frankly I think it's sad that so many adult "men" cling so much to sporting figures and organizations.
It's all entertainment and doesn't matter that much in reality. Enjoy it for what it is.
Big EP - Just a quick chime in. Leaving Fitch's fighting style out of this, he is correct. This is something I struggle with. As a fan, I am all about exciting fights but at the same time, there's got to be a better way of determining a true #1 contender. Tournament style would be ideal. I really like Bellator's format and I know the UFC isn't interested in mimicking it.
Do we just continue to label the UFC a business or is there a way to legitimize it as a TRUE sport?
Fitch's style aside, he still doesn't deserve top contender status. He got absolutely trashed by gsp, he has no wins against anyone in the current top 10, and didn't win his last 2 fights.
^More to that point, tournament styles in MMA are a retarded idea given the enormous rate of injury. Look at what the Strikeforce heavyweight "grand prix" became.
It was essentially just a mish mash of ordinary heavyweight matchups that was given a grandiose name.
The current structure will ALWAYS be in place just as it always has been. The most entertaining fights are made 90%+ of the time. If that happens to be a "true" #1 contender fighting a champion then so be it.
What makes dollars makes cents.
NorthFromHere - If we are talking about title shots, you don't get one just by being popular or an exciting fighter.
