One day after Carlos Condit’s management insisted that Nick Diaz was in his rearview mirror, there seems to be a change of course for the new UFC interim welterweight champion. Late on Tuesday night, UFC president Dana White tweeted that Condit accepted the proposal for a rematch, and would travel to Las Vegas on Friday in hopes of finalizing the deal.
“The rumor is true. Carlos did accept the fight today and Carlos is coming on Friday not [Thursday],” he wrote.
Early Wednesday morning, White told MMA Fighting via text that he had no timetable yet for the bout’s date, as he’s currently in Brazil filming an international version of The Ultimate Fighter.
However, he returns on Thursday and will meet with Condit about making the rematch a reality.
As recently as Monday, Condit’s manager Malki Kawa told MMA Fighting that he would advise his client to focus on a potential championship unification with linear title holder Georges St-Pierre.
“At this point, [a rematch] is not something we’re looking to do,” he said. “We’re looking for Georges.
But apparently, Condit was swayed by the outcry over the decision. The three cageside judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 for Condit.
Reaction to the decision was split, with Diaz supporters noting that he was often the aggressor, moving forward and initiating the action, while Condit supporters believed he employed an effective counterstriking style that allowed him to land more blows during the course of the five-round bout.
Regardless of the outcome, it was a departure from his usual style. Known for his aggression and finishing instincts, Condit had stopped opponents in 26 of his 27 career wins prior to UFC 143.
Afterward, Diaz said he would retire, voicing frustration with the judging system. Meanwhile, White said he would allow Condit to chart his own course and wait for GSP if that was his wish. But now it appears that instead of hanging up his gloves, Diaz will get the chance to avenge his loss, and instead of preparing for St-Pierre, Condit will spend the next few months getting ready to face Diaz one more time.