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Former interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit is all for a rematch with former opponent Nick Diaz.
Nearly eight years after their first meeting, a rematch between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz is being entertained again.
Condit and Diaz fought for the interim welterweight championship in 2012 at UFC 143, where the winner was poised to meet and unify titles against then-champion Georges St-Pierre upon his return to the Octagon following his recovery from an ACL injury. Condit and Diaz went back and forth for all five rounds and in the end, Condit was announced the victor by way of unanimous decision.
The decision was somewhat controversial as many believed Diaz actually won three out of the five rounds, which is what sparked the creation of the now well-known phrase in the mixed martial arts community, “Diaz 1, 2, 5”. At the time, a rematch almost became a reality with UFC President Dana White confirming it on social media, but it never happened.
Condit and Diaz fighting again has been brought up several times before, but in light of recent developments regarding both men, it has found its way back into the spotlight. Condit is getting ready to compete for the first time in almost two years when he takes on fellow welterweight staple, Court McGee, at UFC on ESPN 16 on Saturday.
Although he is solely focused on his upcoming opponent, Condit spoke about his former foe and whether a rematch is something of interest to him now that Diaz has expressed a desire to return sometime in 2021. Condit is all for the idea of welcoming Diaz back.
“Yeah, obviously that’s been a thing and that’s a point of interest,” Condit told MMA Junkie. “I know people want to see that fight. I know a lot of people want to see that fight. I want to see that fight. I think Nick wants that fight. I don’t know if it’s the next one or what he’s trying to do. But if the stars align, that fight should happen.”
Condit (30-13) went on to acknowledge the controversy from their first fight as a reason why this rematch should probably happen. He also agreed that the match-up is still an intriguing one for him to take on.
“That fight is intriguing to me, intriguing to a lot of fans. If I go out there and handle business like I think will on Saturday, that one is definitely in my sight. It’s an interesting match-up, there was controversy, and why not? Why not go out there and settle the score.”
As Condit gears up for a fight this weekend, there is currently no word on when Diaz will make his return and who it will be against. Fortunately, he has plenty of options to consider and he can now add Condit’s name to the growing list of welterweight contenders who want the fight.