He's done well so far to request the fights that make the most career sense to him, and Rick Story (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) already has a guy in mind for his next appearance.Story, who earned his biggest win to date against Thiago Alves this past Saturday at UFC 130, said he'd like to fight perennial contender Jon Fitch.
"Me and my coach Pat White were discussing this, and we think that the next opponent that would best suit us would be Jon Fitch because he's the next guy in line," Story said following the event, which took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Story should be thankful to be in the position to make a request. He took a knee to the jaw in round three that sent his teeth through his mouthpiece. Alves also cracked him with several punches to the jaw. The fight ended with both men swinging for the bleachers.
Yet some in the audience felt the action wasn't good enough and booed – a common theme throughout the pay-per-view event.
"I actually thought it was a great fight," UFC president Dana White said. "I don't know what those people were watching. Rick Story fought a great fight.
"He got crushed with that knee, and the fight changed. Thiago had a chance to jump in there and take that fight over, in my opinion, and he didn't. Rick kept his head together (and) kept his composure like a pro."
Story requested the fight with Alves following a decision win over fellow up-and-comer Johny Hendricks. This past Saturday's victory was his sixth consecutive win.
A fight with Jon Fitch would undoubtedly move Story to within striking distance of a shot at welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Fitch is currently recovering from a shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from a rematch with B.J. Penn at UFC 132 (The two fought to a draw at UFC 127).
White's ears may be more open to requests given his praise for Story's performance.
"He showed some big stuff tonight against a tough guy who's been in big fights," White said. "I thought it was a great fight. No reason to boo."
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