Crispy Gamer News

THQ, already known for its hit WWE SmackDown vs. RAW series, apparently has enough stroke to even put the fighters of the Ultimate Fighting Championship down for the count. According to a Sports Illustrated report, UFC fighter Jon Fitch has been terminated from the franchise (along with many of his American Kickboxing Academy teammates) for refusing to sign away rights to his image for use in THQ’s upcoming UFC video game.

According to the report, the problem stems from UFC’s requests that fighters sign a merchandising deal giving the UFC rights to use fighters’ likenesses in various licensing deals for life. The issue with Fitch apparently finally came to a head when he was approached with the THQ deal.

“We thought that was kind of crazy. Why would you sign anything away for your lifetime?” said Fitch. “I’m more than willing to work with them, but I don’t see why we have to give up our whole lives for this. Why not a time limit? If we did a 10-year deal with them, is that that unreasonable?”

Talking to Yahoo Sports, UFC president Dana White said, “We’re looking for guys who want to work with us and not against us, and frankly I’m just so f–king sick of this s–t it’s not even funny.”

Apparently, Fitch isn’t the only fighter on the UFC chopping block as a result of the THQ deal. Reports also indicate that up and coming fighters Cain Velasquez and Josh Koscheck could see their pink slips next for not signing the merchandising contract.

“Can you believe that?” White said. “Chuck Liddell has that language in his contract. Randy Couture has it. Anderson Silva has it. And Cain f–king Velasquez, with two f–king fights, wants us to change it for him? That’s f–king nuts. He can get the f–k out.”

So far, there’s been no comment from THQ on the licensing controversy. UFC 2009 Undisputed is currently scheduled for release on the Xbox 360 and PS3 next Spring.

Tags: Industry, Licensing, THQ, UFC, UFC 2009 Undisputed, Ultimate Fighting Championship