While Georges St-Pierre nurses whatever excuse he has this time, powerhouses Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit will slug it out for the interim UFC Welterweight World Title.
As shocking as it may be for most, Condit will walk away champion.
Diaz may come into the fight as the favorite, but Condit is one of the hottest fighters in MMA. Despite a controversial decision loss in his UFC debut, Condit has an 11-1 record since July 2006 and was the last WEC Welterweight Champion.
In his eyes, he never lost that title and looks at this fight as a way to get back the belt that rightfully belongs to him.
UFC loudmouth Chael Sonnen told The Telegraph about what he expects from the battle of two supreme talents and just how good Condit truly is:
Condit is awesome. He’s got a bunch of bonuses of the night, and he is the one guy I can think of besides Georges St-Pierre, who can keep up with the conditioning that Diaz has. Condit never backs down. Condit beats a lot of guys just because he puts so much pressure on them—which is exactly what Diaz is known for. It’s an awesome fight. They are going to get it on, and get after it non-stop.
Sonnen is right about this. When these two men meet in the middle of the Octagon on Saturday night, this will be a war. I know that line is used often and has become cliche, but this is one of the true times where it is fitting.
The key for Condit will be his versatility. While Diaz has become a world-renowned striker who can put anyone’s lights out (11 straight wins), Condit is by far the most well-rounded fighter he has ever faced.
With striking and kicks mixed with a vicious use of knees, Condit will match anything that Diaz throws his way.
Condit will get the distinct advantage on the ground. Not only do I see Condit as the better takedown artist, I feel he has the better chance to submit Diaz if he gets taken down.
As I always say, anything can happen in MMA. The only certainty at UFC 143 is that both of these men are walking into that Octagon ready to knock each other out. Let the fireworks begin.
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