Jon Fitch Receives BJJ Black Belt Just in Time for Bout with GSP

by Scott White


Photo property of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Sherdog.com is reporting that the American Kickboxing Academy’s Jon Fitch has received his Guerilla jiu-jitsu black belt under the tutelage of instructor Dave Camarillo.

According to the report, Fitch has studied under Camarillo for the better part of five year and his promotion makes him become Camarillo’s sixth black belt.

Fitch is currently preparing for his August 9th showdown with UFC welterweight Georges “Rush” St. Pierre at UFC 87: Seek and Destroy. Fitch is currently riding a 15-fight winning streak with victories over Diego Sanchez, Thiago Alves, Josh Burkman, Brock Larson, Shonie Carter, and Alex Serdyukov.

While Fitch is now a black belt, St. Pierre is aware and has no plans to let the Fort Wayne, Indiana native get the upper hand. Last month, St. Pierre made his way to Rio de Janeiro to sharpen his ground skills with a slew of Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts at Gracie Barra. St. Pierre also underwent a full training routine with Gustavo Machado and Aloisio Barros.

St. Pierre didn’t limit his training to jiu-jitsu, he also spent time boxing at Nobre Arte, rolling with the Gracie Barra Combat Team, and wrestling with Adrian Jaoude.

UFC 87: Seek and Destroy is scheduled for August 9, 2008 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Check out our rumors section for the latest UFC 87: Seek and Destroy card.

6 comments

1 Hattori Hanzo Gracie { 07.02.08 at 10:22 am }

I see GSP out-wrestling Jon Fitch but will be unable to submit him. If GSP ends this fight it’ll be by ground and pound

2 Scott White { 07.02.08 at 10:47 am }

I agree. Mind you I wouldn’t be surprised if GSP was able to lock on a kimura after pounding away from the top. Either way I feel GSP will outwork Fitch and break him in the third.

While Fitch has amassed an excellent record, I’m still not totally sold on him. Watch Fitch’s fight with Jeff Joslin and tell me how he handles pressure.

3 gary whittaker { 07.02.08 at 6:29 pm }

GSP has been nominated for an ESPY!! Support our Canadian MMA champ and vote for him at http://proxy.espn.go.com/i/espnpromotions/espys2008/Main.swf

4 Stephen Rhodes { 07.02.08 at 7:17 pm }

The jiu-jitsu belt came just in time for Fitch. Should be an interesting match; I wouldn’t be surprised to see GSAP squeak one out in a split decision.

5 Gary Whittaker { 07.03.08 at 11:35 am }

Fitch gets a Belt, GSP trained in Brazil with the world’s best. Edge - GSP

6 Scott White { 07.04.08 at 12:06 pm }

I agree Gary. Looking forward to hearing your interview with GSP.

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