Carlos Condit happy with UFC on ABC 1 win, but not sure what comes next
ABU DHABI — Carlos Condit’s long-awaited matchup with Matt Brown lived up to the hype, even if the fight itself was different than what most might have anticipated.
The two longtime welterweight bangers spent more time on the floor than they did standing and trading during their UFC on ABC 1 co-main event Saturday, but it ended up being a compelling show of heart by both fighters anyway. The duo went the distance before Condit (32-13 MMA, 9-9 UFC) earned a unanimous decision on scores of 30-27 across the board.
At the post-fight news conference, Condit, who won his second straight fight, also admitted the bout was a bit different from what he was expecting. But he was still pleased with how things went down.
“I expected a little bit more exchange on the feet, and it became more of a grappling match – but it was still great,” he told MMA Junkie. “Hopefully it was exciting. Hopefully people weren’t expecting some kind of a crazy war and then there’s a letdown because we’re just grappling and hugging each other, but who knows. I’m happy.
“I’m happy the way it turned out. I landed some good takedowns – several, a variety of takedowns, a cool sweep I’ve been working on. I’m really stoked when I get to do cool stuff actually in the octagon that I’ve been working on for multiple camps in a row.”
The bottom line for Condit is that he’s channeled back into the mentality that helped make him a WEC welterweight champion and UFC interim champ, while putting his five-fight losing skid in his rearview mirror.
“Five losses in a row was tough – that was … it was rough,” he said. “I’m showing up on fight night. I feel like my preparation was always good, but you’ve got to bring it to the moment. You can be in good shape and look good on the pads and in sparring, but you’ve got to show up on fight night. You’ve got to be a game-day player, and usually I have been my whole career most of the time.”
As for the next order of business: This was the final fight of Condit’s UFC contract. His WEC debut, a win over Kyle Jensen at WEC 25 in 2007, was also that promotion’s first under the umbrella of former UFC parent company Zuffa. Whatever happens next, Condit acknowledged it’s been a long run.
“No clue, honestly. I don’t know,” he said. “I have a few things (I’ve) got to get tended to. (I’ve) got to get a few things fixed up, and yeah – I don’t know. I think there’s a lot of variable with all that.
“I love the UFC. I’ve had an incredible run. I’ve grown up under Zuffa, WEC, UFC, but we’ll see.”