Jon Fitch (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Some observers may have been surprised to hear that lightweight Jacob Volkmann has been released by the UFC this week, and now news has surfaced that longtime welterweight contender Jon Fitch has also been let go.

Following his unanimous decision loss to Demian Maia at UFC 156 earlier this month, Fitch has been cut by the UFC, according to a report from MMA Fighting. The story cited UFC President Dana White as the source.

The release comes just several months removed from Fitch’s impressive and memorable UD win over Erick Silva at UFC 153 in October, one of the welterweight division’s rising fighters.

Prior to the win, Fitch was KO’d by Johny Hendricks at UFC 141 in December, 2011, which ended the former number one contender’s six fight, undefeated streak.

The 34 year-old, American Kickboxing Academy fighter went an impressive 14-3-1 during his run with the UFC. The only other man to defeat Fitch in the UFC is welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, who handed him a UD loss in August, 2008.

Record aside, however, Fitch has been forced to battle persistent criticisms for his smothering style, which while effective, has not produced many finishes. The fighter has also quarrelled with the UFC in the past over licensing rights regarding his likeness and name.

Some of the other fighters who have reportedly been cut today by the UFC include Vladimir Matyushenko, Che Mills, Jay Hieron, Jorge Santiago, Paul Sass, Mike Russow, Ulysses Gomez and Wagner Prado, among several others.