According to Georges St-Pierre, Carlos Condit is the No.1 contender for the UFC welterweight title.
While it might not be the title bout fans had hoped for, St-Pierre believes he is facing the perennial contender at 170 pounds.
St-Pierre, who was a special guest on FOX Sports, spoke about his upcoming title bout and had nothing but praise for his opponent.
“Condit is very good. I truly believe he is the No.1 contender,” St-Pierre said.
“He’s beaten some of the best guys, a lot of the best guys he’s knocked them out cold, and he deserves a title shot.”
Condit was favoured over original opponent, Nick Diaz, after the Strikeforce welterweight champion failed to appear at a pre-fight press conference for UFC 137.
St-Pierre said he was confused by Diaz’s antics but the UFC was not going to risk promoting the Stockton native if he was wasn’t doing his job to sell the fight.
As a result, Diaz was demoted to the co-main event against BJ Penn.
St-Pierre is content with facing Condit, and despite being training partners, neither of them will seek assistance from head trainer Greg Jackson.
Jackson, who has been instrumental in both St-Pierre’s and Condit’s respective careers, said he would not take sides between the two teammates and he will not involve himself in their upcoming bout.
“He’s not going to be in my corner and he’s not going to work out with Condit and I, so he’s going to watch the fight on T.V that night and he’s going to enjoy the show,” he said.
St-Pierre understands the lack of interest surrounding this bout, but he is not looking past Condit as a credible contender.
Should he get past Condit, St-Pierre doesn’t rule out the possibility of facing Diaz.
“Nick Diaz was the fight everyone wanted to see, including myself, I wanted to fight the guy a lot, but what happened I cannot do nothing,” he said. “I might fight him another day.”
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