Champion’s Mentality – Jon Fitch finally got what he has wanted his entire MMA career. Not only did he get that ever illusive title shot at UFC 87 on Saturday night, but he also did it against the very best in his weight class, in champion Georges St-Pierre. Although he didn’t walk away victorious, he showed that he certainly has the heart of a champion.
“I want to fight the best guys,” Fitch said about losing the the champion.
Fitch has come a long way from the small promotions that he used to compete in. On Saturday night he found himself on the biggest possible stage, fighting possibly the best athlete that the welterweight division has ever seen. Whether GSP is that or not is debatable. What is undeniable is that he is the best 170-pound fighter in the world.
“Georges has a very explosive style; I think he has a solid foundation in his techniques,” Fitch said of the champion. “He’s cream of the crop right now.”
Fitch was greatful to get the opportunity to fight for the championship belt, but he learned on Saturday that getting there and winning are two completely different stories. Along his journey, he has taken on the likes of some of the division’s best in Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez, and walked away victorious. However, St-Pierre showed that he is a different breed from all other fighters; perhaps the most well-rounded fighter that the world has ever seen.
Fitch expects this to be an all out war; a battle that may be decided in the 5thRound. And, he is sure that it will be 25 minutes of non-stop action. In fact, when you pit two competitors like this against each other, how can it not be?
“When you put two athletes together like me and GSP, there is (nothing) short of fireworks possible,” stated an excited Fitch. “I think we’re going to have one of the greatest fights in UFC history.”
Fitch was a 4-1 underdog when the fight game around, and it showed. Although to the challenger’s credit, he did take the best in the world the distance. And that is something that nobody has been able to do to St-Pierre.
“When you do five [rounds], it [gives] you a lot of experience,” St-Pierre stated. “It’s my first time I [done] five [rounds] in my life and it’s tough…I’m glad that I made (it) five [rounds], it give me a lot of experience, a lot of octagon time. Same thing for Jon Fitch, [we're] both gonna come back stronger for that experience.
After the fight, the champion had nothing but praise for Fitch, telling the challenger that the loss that he just suffered will ultimately be the best thing to ever happen to him.
Fitch may not believe it now, but if he takes this experience and learns from it, he will be back in this position shortly. He certainly proved to MMA fans that he has the heart to be here.
