While the former UFC welterweight champ is riding a harley across the country Carlos Condit and his team have been on the phone lobbying.
Despite sitting at No. 4 in the UFC’s rankings, Condit says he believes he’s next to challenge welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.
“I sure hope so,” Condit told Chael Sonnen on his podcast. “I think I deserve to be. I think the fight between Robbie Lawler and myself is the fight that people want to see, regardless of the rankings. It’s not a done deal but I think that’s the fight that’s going to happen.”
Hendricks and Lawler have already fought for the strap twice. Hendricks won the vacant title at UFC 171 last March, but Lawler came out with the split decision nod at UFC 181 in December.
The first bout earned ‘Fight of the Year’ honors, but Condit says his fan-friendly style will sell a fight with Lawler.
“UFC needs fights that fans want to see,” said Condit. “They need to have a lot of excitement around these cards. This fight fits the bill. We’ve been actively in conversations with the UFC with my management. I’ve personally requested the fight and made my case for it, but it’s not a done deal.”
With Lawler enjoying a career resurgence at 33, Condit took a turn at diagnosing the champ’s late success.
“Obviously, Lawler has had an abundance of talent since he stepped on the scene,” said Condit. “That was never the question. He was super powerful, super athletic. The guys likes to fight. Just an incredible striker and all-around fighter. It seems to me before there was some psychological stuff. If he started to lose it would take him out of the fight.
“What I see from another fighter’s perspective is a lot of maturity. He’s matured as a person and now he’s able to better bring all those talents and attributes he has to bear.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Scrum. UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey discusses Bethe Correia’s recent controversial comments, her reception in Brazil, being compared to Mike Tyson, and her plans for the belt after UFC 190.
Oh, Wandy. Zuffa has sued Wanderlei Silva for defamation and business disparagement and will seek a range of damages.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses UFC on FOX 16, previews UFC 190, WSOF 22 and more in this week’s live chat.
‘Cookie cutter.’ Tito Ortiz says the UFC has made MMA ‘boring’ for fans. ‘They’re going to crumble from inside.’
Throwback. A fight between former heavyweight champions Andrei Arlovski and Frank Mir is being targeted for UFC 191.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 190 embedded episodes 2 and 3.
Highlights from the UFC 190 open workouts.
Inside the Octagon with Ariel Helwani.
McGregor’s coach defends MMA to old people.
Joseph Duffy talks fight with Dustin Poirier.
Don Frye’s prediction for UFC 190.
Long watches.
UFC 190: Rousey vs Correia Care/Don’t Care Preview
…
Eddie Bravo Dead Orchard Breakdown (feat. Ben Saunders UFC on Fox 16)
TWEETS
Home court.
Eu Amo Brazil thank you for the amazing reception today!!! Pic by @ewillphoto https://t.co/Po3r3UNelU
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) July 30, 2015
“If your star doesn’t shine, let my shine, who was born to be King, King will always be”
“Se a tua estrela não brilha, deixa a minha brilhar, pois quem nasceu pra ser rei, rei sempre será” pic.twitter.com/LSwnO761lp
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) July 30, 2015
Beef.
You don’t deserve weather you are “GIVEN” the shot or not isn’t based on merit @UFC @UFCONFOX @CarlosCondit #Ufc https://t.co/Lh0iqoujYE
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) July 29, 2015
Since @IamTheImmortal was scared I’m thinking @fighterdhk in his backyard #Seoul #ufc
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) July 29, 2015
I don’t have an end date. Retirement doesn’t cross my mind. I’ve got both feet in the game unlike @AlexTheMauler 🙂 https://t.co/rrgSeEJzEo
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 29, 2015
“@TonyFergusonXT: Not impressed w/ Barboza Or Felder Lots of Fancy Spins… No Big Damage.” Your on to talk? way more technical then U
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) July 29, 2015
“@TonyFergusonXT: Not impressed w/ Barboza Or Felder Lots of Fancy Spins..no big Damage.” Your a sloppy brawler that does dive flips?
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) July 29, 2015
The trash talk with Chandler is boring, the Pitbull brothers are messing with Saad now, Held hasn’t been seen for idk how long, and im bored
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) July 30, 2015
Business deal?
Just hanging out with the bosses!!! @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc @AndyMendez05 pic.twitter.com/ayXsDkiFIZ
— Yoel Romero (@YoelRomeroMMA) July 29, 2015
Like it.
Let’s gooo!!! pic.twitter.com/XhxDYV7nsn
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 29, 2015
Get well soon.
Infected toe sucks boiiiiiii http://t.co/rjdhod2WnD
— mark richard hunt (@markhunt1974) July 30, 2015
Golf martial arts.
Having a good time out on the golf course in our own way w/ our friends and sponsor @americanethanol… https://t.co/5tZEptcqb8
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) July 30, 2015
Whoa.
Why yes this is my hair from 18 years ago that my mom saved.. Good guess pic.twitter.com/DrsLAizInv
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) July 30, 2015
Gonna save it to make a wig out of when my hair falls out #plan for the future pic.twitter.com/oGAee6XJRa
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) July 30, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (July 29 2015)
Joseph Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC Fight Night: Duffy vs. Poirier
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Alex C.
Some suggestions for recent UFC hire Eric Winter on how to improve UFC Fight Pass
For a little over a year I worked as a freelance writer for Tar Heel Illustrated, an online website devoted to all things UNC athletics. The site was a part of the Rivals network devoted towards covering college athletics and recruiting.
One of the key members and forward thinking minds in that enterprise was Eric Winter who has just been hired by the UFC to help nourish and flourish it’s digital platforms, which most people will associate with the UFC’s digital streaming service UFC Fight Pass.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.