Conflict resolved, Burkman stays with WSOF, fights winner of Palhares vs. Fitch

LAS VEGAS – Despite a very public conflict between Josh Burkman (27-10) and his WSOF employers, “The People’s Warrior” plans on staying with the Las Vegas-based promotion and will soon fight for the company’s welterweight title.

“I’m happy to tell you that we spoke with Josh Burkman, and everything is good,” WSOF exec Ali Abdelaziz told MMAjunkie. “We had a few issues to work out, but everything is good, and Josh will now fight for the welterweight title against the winner of Rousimar Palhares and Jon Fitch.”

On Thursday night, Burkman took to Twitter to petition for his release from the promotion, citing contractual issues and hinting at a strained relationship with Abdelaziz. But the WSOF exec said he was able to speak with the welterweight contender today and work through their differences.

“Josh has done some incredible things in his five fights with us,” Abdelaziz said. “His win over Tyler Stinson last week was amazing, and he had a great fight against Steve Carl for our first welterweight title. Now he’ll get another shot at the belt after Rousimar Palhares and Jon Fitch fight in June.”

At the center of the controversy was Burkman’s pay at WSOF 9, where he knocked out Stinson in the first round. While Burkman agreed to be paid a flat rate of $25,000 rather than his contracted amount (which Abdelaziz declined to reveal but did say the show money was less than the flat rate). After some back-and-forth between the fighter and the promotion, WSOF officials elected to make up the difference between the flat fee and the contracted rate with a special bonus check, cut today.

Palhares earned the WSOF welterweight belt at March’s WSOF 9 event, submitting Carl in just 69 seconds. He’ll meet Fitch in the main event of WSOF 11, which takes place July 5.

Burkman will then challenge the winner in what remains the last fight on his current deal. What happens after that – win or lose – remains to be seen, but Abdelaziz is happy to be moving forward.

“Josh Burkman is a great fighter, and I look forward to see him fight either Rousimar Palhares or Jon Fitch,” Abdelaziz said. “Either way, I think it’s going to be a great fight.”

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(Pictured: Josh Burkman)