Former UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch fought like a man who needed a victory. And that's because Fitch did need a victory.

After surviving a submission attempt by Erick Silva, Fitch enacted his grinding style to earn a decision victory over Silva Saturday night at UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar.

"I didn't have a choice. I would have beat anybody tonight," Fitch said. "My family needed this win, I needed this win. I did what I had to do."

Fitch (23-4-1) improved to 14-2-1 inside the Octagon, landing 108 ground strikes. His lone two UFC losses came at the hands of UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks. Fitch also fought BJ Penn to a draw.

Silva locked in a deep rear-naked choke, but Fitch said he "knew he was safe," and that Silva was only "wasting energy," not working to get a better position.

The loss dropped Silva to 14-3 in his career.

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