One of the most underrated fighters in mixed martial arts, UFC welterweight Jon Fitch, talks about how he's remained patient while weeding through opponents in the stacked welterweight division as well as his upcoming June 12th fight on Spike T.V. against Roan Carneiro.

PC: How is everything going Jon?

JF: Things are going great right now. Training camp is going good. I got a bout agreement last Friday or maybe Thursday, so we all set for the 12th of June against Roan Carneiro. I'm looking forward to fighting. I think I'm going to get some live air time on Spike T.V.

PC: I was going to ask if you heard when you were fighting again and against who. Since we know it's Roan, what do you think of him as a fighter?

JF: I've only seen one of his fights. Right now we're still working on digging up tape. The fight I saw was 5 years ago, so I can't really judge much from that tape. I hear he's a good wrestler and as far as his Jiu Jitsu game, he likes to be on top; sort of like a Ricardo Arona type of fighter. I talked to someone today and I'm going to get a copy of his fight with Rich Climente and see exactly what he's all about. I know he'll be a big 170 pounder because he's been fighting at 185 for a while. I expect him to be a big 170 pounder.

PC: You've been beating some tough UFC welterweights. I spoke with Marcus Davis and he made it clear he thought you should be fighting Serra for the title. Are you disappointed that Serra is fighting Hughes and you're not being thrown in the mix yet?

JF: In a way, because I want to fight at the top for a title and all that stuff, but at the same time, I know I have to pay my dues. How are you going to throw me into a title fight when people don't know who the hell I am? I don't want to win a title with the money I'm making right now anyways. I don't want to be like Rich Franklin was, making $30,000 for a title fight. I'm fine with getting 3 or 4 more fights before I get in there for a title.

PC: You are a very well rounded fighter. Style-wise who do you think will match up well with you to create the kind of fight to put you over the hump?
 
JF: I think I match up well against anybody. I can fight anybody, anywhere. If a guy can strike, I can take him down. If a guy can grapple, I can stand with him and if a guy is well rounded, I think I'm more well rounded. I'm willing to fight anybody at anytime right now, I don't care.

PC: I know you wanted to get on the televised card for UFC 68. Has it been frustrating for you not getting the air time, kind of like Nate Marquardt; people know who you are, they just haven't seen you enough?

JF: Yeah, it's frustrating not being seen, but at the same time it's better than sitting in an office pushing pencils and pens, you know? I'm making good money and doing what I love, so my time will come. I'll just keep winning; that's all I could do.

PC: You are 5-0 in the UFC. Is your attitude more like keep winning and you'll get your shot or is it, who do I have to beat to get a...

JF: (cutting in) I look at it one fight at a time. I don't even look at the past people I've fought. People tell me you're 5 and 0, but the only thing that sticks out in my head is my losses and the mistakes I made in my wins. I'm looking forward to getting better and where my skill set is.

PC: Mike Swick wants to move down to the welterweight division after his loss to Okami. Is that a potential problem with 3 AKA guys all in the welterweight division; yourself, Swick and Koscheck?

JF: It's a potential problem, but it's still fights to be fought and you don't know how they're going to play out. It's so competitive and there are so many great fighters out there, I think it will work itself out.

PC: So you don't see yourself having to fight one of those guys?

JF: Nah, they're like my brother's; we fight everyday. If people want to see us fight, they can come to the gym and watch us spar.

PC: Some people feel the UFC is spreading themselves too thin with all the shows. Do you see it as a potential problem with them purchasing Pride?

JF: We'll have to wait and see. We really don't know right now. A lot of the fans that are dogging the idea are fans that are familiar with the fighters and who they are and they don't have the superior knowledge anymore. They don't know who all the guys are that are fighting on PPV. We'll have to wait and see, but it's going to produce great fights. If you think about it, 10 years ago they didn't know who the fuck these guys were walking to the cage either. They didn't know who the fuck Tank Abbot was or who the fuck Ken Shamrock was. They're just mad because they're losing that superior knowledge of the sport. The average fan now knows what an armbar is and what a kneebar is. These guys used to have a superior knowledge of the sport and now they feel like they don't. I like it because you're going to get a lot of C and B level fights free on Spike T.V., you're going to get B level and A level fights on the HBO show and on the PPV shows, you're going to get the A level, blockbuster fights. I think that's the way it's going to go and I think that's great. It's just like in boxing; you have the lower level guys on ESPN, then you have the middle level guys fighting on HBO and then the De La Hoya's and Mayweather's on PPV.

PC: You are known as one of the most underrated fighters out there. Is that a tough title to hold and how do you remain patient through the process?

JF: I just focus on training and working on my skill set and everything else will take care of itself.

PC: I appreciate the interview Jon. Is there anything you want to say in closing?

JF: I wanted to fight Karo, but he is fighting someone else, so I had to fight who was available. I will fight anybody. We're looking at Diego and some other guys, but I'm just focused on my opponent right now and whatever happens, happens. I still have a lot to work on. I want to thank Toe2Toe, Scoreclinic.com, they take care of me, and go check out my website fitchfighter.com.