After learning that Carlos Condit will replace Nick Diaz to headline UFC 137, UFC Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre believes he got the better end of the deal in facing “The Natural Born Killer.”
Still shocked by the sudden departure from Diaz, St-Pierre will move forward and prepare to face Condit, who is currently riding a four-fight winning streak.
“I do believe this is a more dangerous fight,” St-Pierre told reporters during a UFC 137 press conference in Las Vegas.
“Condit has way more power, way more diversity of attack than Nick Diaz. He’s got very good jiu-jitsu. I think he’s going to be a way more dangerous opponent than Nick Diaz.”
Condit, who holds wins over Jake Ellenberger, Dong-Yung-Kim and Rory McDonald, was originally scheduled to face BJ Penn on the card’s co-main event. Had he got past the Hawaiian, he would have likely been next in line to challenge for the title.
However, removing Diaz from the main event allowed Condit to take advantage of the opportunity and compete for the title a little earlier than he expected. A recipient of consecutive “Knockout of the Night” honors, St-Pierre not only sees more of a threat in Condit, but a more versatile fighter than Diaz.
“I’ve watched a couple of his fights, and it seems to me he has a bigger variety of attack standing up,” the champion said of Condit.
“He can hit me with knees, elbows and everything, and he hits harder than Nick Diaz. For me, it’s a fight that I actually believe is way more dangerous.”
Although the bout has lost some significance, St-Pierre does not think about who his opponent is, but rather the potential problems put in front of him.
And while he was prepared to face Diaz, St-Pierre is content with a new challenger and superior opponent in Condit.
“But I do believe that Carlos Condit is more dangerous than Nick Diaz,” he said.
“I do believe that if Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit would fight, I would put my money on Carlos Condit. For me, it’s even a bigger challenge.”
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