For the first time since 2008, a man other than Georges St. Pierre will lay claim to the UFC’s welterweight strap.
Welterweight headliners Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit both made weight during Friday’s UFC 143 weigh-ins at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, rendering their interim title tilt official. No stranger to championships bouts, Condit managed to hit his mark perfectly, tipping the scales at 169 pounds. Diaz quickly followed suit, skimming the welterweight limit at 169 pounds to a chorus of cheers from the adoring Las Vegas audience.
Diaz was markedly tempered throughout the proceedings, especially considering his well-documented aversion to weigh-ins. “I’m ready to take my ass-whooping,” he declared. “It’s whatever.”
Likewise, Condit appeared to be high spirits. “Nick Diaz is the toughest guy I’ve ever fought,” he coolly stated. “I’m as prepared as I’ve ever been. I can’t wait to get out there and do this thing.”
Elsewhere on the main card, Roy Nelson continued his commitment to a sleeker figure, tipping the scales at a trim 246 pounds. His opponent, Fabricio Werdum, marked the end of a three-and-a-half year UFC sabbatical by similarly registering in at 246 pounds.
Meanwhile, Mike Pierce played heavily to the crowd’s dislike of welterweight rival Josh Koscheck. After weighing in at 170 pounds, Pierce donned a blonde Koscheck-esque wig, which instantly incensed the former All-American. Both fighters had to be separated by UFC President Dana White.
Full weigh-in results are below.
Walkout Shirts: Nick Diaz | Carlos Condit | Roy Nelson
Main Card (Pay-Per-View):
Nick Diaz (169) vs. Carlos Condit (169)
Roy Nelson (246) vs. Fabricio Werdum (246)
Josh Koscheck (170) vs. Mike Pierce (170)
Renan Barao (136) vs. Scott Jorgensen (135)
Ed Herman (185) vs. Clifford Starks (185)
Preliminary Card (FX):
Dustin Poirier (146) vs. Max Holloway (144)
Alex Caceres (136) vs. Edwin Figueroa (135)
Matt Brown (171) vs. Chris Cope (171)
Matt Riddle (170) vs. Henry Martinez (169)
Preliminary Card (Facebook):
Dan Stittgen (170) vs. Stephen Thompson (171)
Rafael Natal (186) vs. Michael Kuiper (183)