MMAMania.com has the scoop on this breaking story:

Former number one UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch was today handed his walking papers for refusing to sign an agreement that would give the promotion exclusive lifetime video game rights to his name and likeness, MMAmania.com can exclusively confirm.

American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) team member Christian Wellisch was also released. Others who do not sign the agreement could also be let go in the near future, including stars Cain Velasquez and Josh Koscheck (he will still headline UFC Fight Night 16: “Fight for the Troops”).

Fitch and members of his camp were not immediately available for comment on the startling development.

While the full details are a little murky at this time, Fitch was apparently approached about the issue when he turned in his signed bout agreement to fight Akihiro Gono at UFC 94: “St. Pierre vs. Penn 2″ on January 31. And when he and his representatives attempted to negotiate the video game deal it was all or nothing.

He didn’t sign it and was terminated shortly therefafter.