In a manner, Carlos Condit is playing on himself each time he units foot within the UFC octagon, however the stakes are even greater forward of his conflict with Matt Brown on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
Previous to his return at UFC Fight Island 7, the previous interim welterweight champion revealed that he’s about to compete on the ultimate struggle of his present contract with the promotion. Condit didn’t disclose if this was a acutely aware resolution to probably take a look at free company or if the UFC is presumably seeing how he performs earlier than providing him a brand new deal after he suffered via a 1-5 skid in his previous six fights.
Regardless of the purpose, “The Pure Born Killer” acknowledged the strain that comes together with a second reminiscent of this even when it’s nothing new to him.
“All of this can be a gamble,” Condit informed MMA Preventing through the UFC Struggle Island 7 media day. “We get to ante up towards one other man and put every part on the road and winner takes all.
“That’s the fantastic thing about it. That’s the joys of all this sh*t, much more so while you’re up for a brand new contract.”
Whereas Condit has been a constant performer for the UFC after becoming a member of the roster by means of the WEC acquisition again in 2009, he understands that he’s not been at his greatest over the previous few years.
A collection of robust losses haunted Condit till he lastly obtained again on monitor with a formidable exhibiting towards Court McGee this previous October. Now with a highly-anticipated struggle with Brown this weekend, Condit is able to show that he can nonetheless dangle with the perfect of the perfect within the UFC.
“I imply my efficiency over the past couple of years has not been stellar,” Condit mentioned. “Has not been the perfect interval of my profession so far as wins and losses. What’s actually vital is placing on present on Saturday evening after which I believe I’ll be in place to form of determine precisely what I wish to do.”
Condit has spent nearly all of his UFC profession positioned close to the highest of the welterweight division whereas being concerned in a trio of title fights over the previous 11 years.
These days aren’t essentially behind him as he seems forward at his future however then once more Condit can’t deny the monetary incentive that must be thought of when his subsequent contract in addition to the opponents he’s going through.
“A part of me desires to check myself towards every other man within the division. A part of me desires—in all probability the larger a part of me desires the larger cash fights,” Condit mentioned. “The fights that there’s numerous hype round. I’d like a rematch perhaps towards Nick Diaz if he comes again, one thing like that.
“There’s numerous hype behind Nick though he hasn’t fought in a very long time. I’d think about he’d need that struggle. I assume that was considerably of a controversial resolution though it was a unanimous resolution and I really feel like I received the struggle however lots of people don’t assume so.”
Win or lose, if the UFC opts to not carry Condit again after his struggle on Saturday, the 36-year-old veteran isn’t planning to stroll away from the game.
“I really like what I do and if I might nonetheless get on the market and receives a commission to struggle folks, I believe I’d entertain the concept of preventing for an additional group,” Condit mentioned.
First issues first, Condit must put an finish to a seven-year lengthy saga with Brown after they had been initially scheduled to satisfy all the best way again in 2013. A again harm pressured Brown out of that struggle after which the Ohio native needed to drop out of their scheduled bout in 2018 after struggling a torn ACL in his knee.
Now with the struggle simply days away, Condit is happy to lastly face Brown in what most anticipate to be a crowd-pleasing affair.
“It’s cliché however don’t blink. I really feel like I’m going to get this factor completed,” Condit mentioned. “We’re each aggressive fighters. We’re each very expert strikers. Everyone desires to see a putting battle.
“That’s the factor. We’re well-rounded guys. We’re blended martial artists however folks all the time wish to see a putting battle between a few guys who wish to get after it.”
