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Despite enduring defeat in UFC 195’s main event this past Saturday, it’s the right time and place for Carlos Condit to challenge for the welterweight crown once again.
He left MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas richer for the experience in challenging UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler all the way to a 25 minute split-decision loss.
Condit’s record dipped to 2-4 since his February 2012 UFC interim welterweight title victory versus Nick Diaz. Two of his four losses in that time were in title fights where he could have walked away undisputed UFC welterweight champion. He caught Georges St. Pierre with a head kick in September 2012 although St. Pierre’s reign held. The Jackson-Wink MMA rep was a breath short against Lawler when the judges announced the decision against him.
Condit was not robbed. Lawler has convincing reasons to still be called champion after 25 minutes against Condit. The issue is Condit, who stated his desire pre-fight to retire without any asterisks to his name, staked his own convincing claim.
Condit won only one fight to earn the spot against the American Top Team fighter. It wasn’t convincing momentum for a title shot yet in their contest: the 31-year-old exceeded answering why he was granted the Lawler fight.
An action contender was needed following Lawler versus Rory MacDonald II -- 2015’s Fight of the Year -- at UFC 189 last July. Condit exceeded expectations in his role, while Lawler extended the carnage his two title defenses have brought to pay-per-view by another wide margin.
Lawler and Condit set an impossibly high bar for Fight of the Year with their disputable, thrilling title contest just two days into 2016. The fight footage constructs a sound argument why Condit should get an immediate rematch and receive a third UFC title shot. It’s an any-given-night sport and Condit’s output further solidified his championship caliber is all but baptized by UFC gold.
That is, if Condit wants to continue fighting. He’s going on 14 years in the sport and said both pre- and post-fight he may be done. It’s a bold decision that wisely acknowledges there is a limit in this game if he hangs up the gloves. As former Lawler and Condit foe Nick Diaz said: “Last thing I wanna do, win or lose, is take Robbie Lawler punches.”
For five hellacious rounds, Lawler and Condit threw firewood on what can be a new-found competitive rivalry if rounds six through 10 are optioned. Condit, in defeat, had a resounding statement that he performs when it matters most. Landing the most strikes for a male UFC fighter ever in a title fight, he indeed did enough to earn two title shots in one night based on the all-time great welterweight championship bout.
Another shot ensures this compelling piece of welterweight history continues toward fulfillment befitting memorable rivals.
To borrow pro wrestling terms, it’s a babyface versus babyface matchup --something the UFC struggles to sell. The contender’s climb is fighting’s most vital story along with championship fights. Condit’s climb just advanced a rung higher, allowing him to be even more sympathetic watching him finally succeed or fall short once again in a championship bout. No disrespect to Demian Maia’s credible four-fight win streak or Tyron Woodley winning four of his last five, but they are better suited for a pure contender fight against each other since the demand for Lawler-Condit II is in with high marks.
Put simple: The best way to promote a good guy versus good guy bout is as a fight of the year rematch. Lawler and Condit is that. Both are more sympathetic for their celebrated career efforts, including the most recent together. The only difference is that Lawler had his coronation moment and Condit has not. It’s the simplest story and one worth telling over and over if the situation and stakes are right (they are).
When the verdict went Lawler’s way, Condit bowed, hugged him, then smiled as he stepped away and let the champion speak. It was remarkable sportsmanship for a fighter that arguably won a championship but wasn’t awarded it.
“Carlos is a hell of a fighter,” said Lawler. He comes from one of the best camps in the world. He had a great game plan. We battled it out. There were two winners tonight -- ‘and still!’ -- but let’s do it again.”
Lawler said it all himself. He’s still the champion but the sport is better off for championship nights like Lawler-Condit and would be better off with Lawler-Condit II. They elevated each other’s legacies. It’d be foolish not to fuel that fire.
Condit told UFC commentator Joe Rogan post-fight he believed he had three rounds secured to become champion. It wasn’t to be for Condit, which is why he did everything he could during the fight to add Lawler to his lauded finishing ledger.
“I love what I do,” said Condit once Rogan let him grab the mic for final comment. “I love being able to come out here and fight an absolute warrior like Robbie Lawler. I’m blessed to do what I do for a living and go out and perform and entertain you guys.”
The reason Condit has openly entertained retirement is that this version of entertainment has real costs. He quipped he wasn’t hurt “neurologically” after the fight but he did take lumps. The sport lacks definitive criteria for championship opportunities. So much so some fighters and coaches even call it “sports entertainment” instead of sport. Hanging around without any looming gold opportunities means waiting around is dangerous because the road to the top is paved with punches. Condit must weigh his retirement decision against the glories and consequences he faces night-in and night-out against the world’s best.
If he sticks around, don’t expect Condit to gripe for an immediate rematch. Make no mistake though: immediate rematches should be reserved almost exclusively for memorable title fights that go the disputed distance like Lawler and Condit. The UFC already has one instant rematch booked where the champion was finished -- Cain Velasquez rematches UFC heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum Feb. 6. Dominant titleholders in the UFC don’t have official rematch clauses the way boxing does. They either get one or they don’t. When a decisive finish leads to an immediate title rematch, it hurts the case for immediate rematches where one fighter’s brink of championship status is foiled in a contested decision. Immediate rematches go against the notion title fights are special and only come around once-in-a-lifetime. What separates Lawler-Condit II is Condit can claim a once-in-a-lifetime performance in the first go around he plans to outdo in the rematch (Lawler doesn’t need to promise anything as his last two fights have already defied all sanctioned violence quotas).
In booking Lawler-Condit, UFC might have just been filling its 2016 schedule for a fun start, but it birthed a rivalry fans will demand to see if its ever brought up again. Since there are no undeniable No. 1 contenders at the moment, it’s likely to be brought up again and again.
Dramatic moments among great fighters erupt from the game of inches that is vying for a world title. Lawler and Condit provided a shining example with an unforgettable fifth round. The tide shifts couldn’t be written in movies. They proved to be some of the toughest and most talented mixed martial artists to ever hear the final bell. Their title clash concluded with both exhausted competitors draping their hands over the Octagon above their hanging heads. It may never be forgotten for fight fans and smart money says the sequel would be memorable in the annals of UFC title history in its own right.
It feels somewhat absurd to call for Condit’s immediate rematch -- it’s not. There must be another night where Lawler and Condit’s championship tangle can end with a definitive hand raised. Muddied endings are intrinsic in combat sports, so why not pursue clarity between two combatants still appearing prime after an instant classic?
Danny Acosta is a SiriusXM Rush (Channel 93) host and contributor. His writing has been featured on Sherdog.com for nearly a decade. Find him on Twitter and Instagram @acostaislegend.