Jon Fitch's WSOF contract allows for fights in outside organizations

While Jon Fitch (24-5-1) said he’s thoroughly committed to the World Series of Fighting, he has options if the promotion doesn’t keep him busy.

The veteran welterweight, who’s scheduled to rematch Josh Burkman (25-9) June 14 at WSOF 3, expects to fulfill a four-fight contract with the promotion within a year. But if there are delays, he could fight for another promoter, perhaps in Asia.

“I have it within my contract to fight elsewhere,” Fitch told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

If all goes as planned for WSOF, he may not need to exercise his option. Earlier this year, the promotion inked a three-year partnership with NBC Sports Network, which has aired its two previous events. The deal calls for a minimum of six events annually.

At the moment, two more WSOF events are being planned for this year. But an obvious choice if Fitch migrates is ONE FC, where his American Kickboxing Academy teammate Phil Baroni competes (and is now recovering from a nasty ankle injury suffered this past month).

“It’s a possibility,” Fitch said of the Asia-based promotion. “Who knows. But I think World Series has the full intention of not allowing that to happen by keeping me busy.”

Fighting in the international promotion certainly would give Fitch more tools to use; soccer kicks and knees to a downed opponent are allowed.

“I’ve said for a long time (that) people want more finishes in their fights – take away some of the restrictions,” Fitch said. “Let us have soccer kicks and knees to the ground.”

Fitch, 35, struck a deal with WSOF one month after his release from the UFC, which came on the heels of a decision loss to Demian Maia at UFC 156. It was one of the biggest talent acquisitions for the upstart promotion.

For the third time in his career, Fitch will headline an event when he fights Burkman at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Already, the onetime UFC title challenger has taken note of greater sponsorship opportunities in his new promotional home.

“It’s been pretty good because we have a lot more freedom with sponsors than the UFC,” he said. “There’s no sponsor tax. I’ve had a couple sponsors that had to go out of business because of the money they paid to the UFC. It was just too hefty of a fee, and they went belly-up, and that was a serious paycheck that was taken away from me.”

For now, he will earn his money elsewhere. Whether he ever does again in the UFC is uncertain. But for next week’s fight against Burkman, Fitch will make $30,000 to show and a $30,000 if he wins. (Burkman is scheduled to make $16,000/$16,000.)

“It’s such a far thing off in the future, I’m not going to worry about it,” Fitch said. “I’ve got a four-fight deal with World Series, and I’ve got a big fight coming up in two weeks.”

For the latest on WSOF 3, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.