Fitch kicking Alfaya (photo via WSOF)

By Michael Hatamoto

Former UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch stepped into the World Series of Fighting cage on Saturday night riding the first two-fight losing streak of his career.

It was an uncertain feeling for the former collegiate wrestler, as the 35-year-old realizes it’s now or never to put an impressive run together following his UFC career ending earlier in 2013.

Fitch beat Marcelo Alfaya by split-decision after three rounds at WSOF 6, in what was a closer fight than many people were expecting. The first round saw Alfaya secure a takedown and secure Fitch’s back, though was unable to fully secure a rear-naked choke submission.

In the second round, Fitch looked to bounce back strong and take control of the fight. The AKA fighter landed good shots while on the feet, and was able to escape Alfaya’s attempt to take his back. During the third round, it was seemingly all Fitch, as he was able to land solid combinations, mixing in overhand punches with uppercuts to keep Alfaya off balance.

After 15 minutes of a sometimes sloppy fight, Fitch was awarded the split-decision victory by the judges. I don’t know how it was scored a split decision, as I saw Fitch winning the fight 29-28; Fitch lost the first round but won the second and third rounds.

As he waits to see what the WSOF will do with him in 2014, Fitch is preparing for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu match on Nov. 7 against Paulo Miyao. The match is 20 minutes and is a submission-only event with no points.

Fitch is ready to split time developing the MMA program at Pacific Health Club in Syracuse, New York, and with his traditional training camp at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, California. It’s great to hear Fitch is staying busy by training at AKA, building the MMA program in Syracuse, and preparing for a grappling match with a high-level BJJ practitioner.

Expect to see Fitch compete for the WSOF welterweight title, won by Steve Carl at WSOF 6, sometime in early 2014.