• UFC 141

Fitch aiming to fight winner of Diaz v Condit

ESPN staff
December 28, 2011
Jon Fitch drew with BJ Penn last time out © Getty Images
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Jon Fitch has laid down a challenge to the UFC ahead of his fight with Johny Hendricks on Friday, asking the promotion to give credence to the interim welterweight title by allowing him to fight the winner of Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit.

Fitch has done little to help his claims for a second title shot since losing to champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC 87. A series of uninspiring decision victories culminated in a draw against BJ Penn, after which Fitch spent a spell on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

Quite simply, the AKA man has not given the UFC a big enough reason to allow him to rematch St-Pierre, but now a window of opportunity has opened with GSP's long-term injury. Diaz and Condit will fight for the interim strap in the Canadian's absence, and Fitch insists that belt will be worth nothing if the winner is not forced to face the widely acknowledged No. 2 welterweight in the world.

"I think things become a mess when the clear number two welterweight in the world, which is me, is injured and out of the mix," Fitch told Fighting Famous TV. "I have a big fight in front of me with Johny Hendricks and I look forward to fighting him and hopefully putting him away.

"I think with my credentials and with what I've accomplished in the UFC and a big fight with Johny Hendricks, I think I should seal a fight with whoever wins [the Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit fight]."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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