Jon Fitch's wrestling style does not excite in the way Jaake Shields does © Getty Images Enlarge

Jon Fitch feels he should be the next in line to fight Georges St-Pierre rather than Jake Shields, but understands why the UFC has moved him down the pecking order.

Fitch had been the top contender in the welterweight division following his win over Thiago Alves, but Shields jumped ahead of him in the pecking order after his move to the UFC from Strikeforce and subsequent win over Martin Kampmann.

Fitch claims he is a better fighter than Shields, but the latter is a hot topic at the moment and Fitch can understand the reasoning behind the decision and is focusing on his clash with BJ Penn in Australia at UFC 127.

"I think I'm better than Jake Shields," Fitch said. "I think I should be fighting for the title. But I've been given a huge opportunity here to fight BJ Penn and that's a big fight, belt or no belt."

Shields is defending a 15-fight unbeaten record and Fitch believes that is the reason behind why he is heading for a shot at St-Pierre.

"We're in a sport of selling fights right now, and the sport's growing," Fitch said. "We're trying to get international, trying to get into every country, every household, and part of that is ticket sales with the idea that Jake Shields is coming over from Strikeforce with two belts. I understand that, and it's a business decision.

"I feel if I can put in a fantastic performance with BJ there's no denying a title shot."

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