5 Potential Fights for Carlos Condit on Super Bowl Weekend

Carlos Condit - Rob Tatum/Bleacher Report

Now that UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has opted to face Nick Diaz on Super Bowl weekend, Carlos Condit is without a fight.

Despite an earlier declaration from UFC President Dana White that Condit's No. 1 contender status would not change regardless of the outcome of the UFC 137 bout between Diaz and BJ Penn, Condit will have to "step aside."

White proclaimed that Condit had stepped aside at the UFC 137 post-fight press conference; however, Condit refuted that statement.

The New Mexico-based fighter is expected to also compete at the Super Bowl weekend event, although his opponent is still up in the air.  Here are a few potential bouts for the welterweight.

 

Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com.  For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter @RobTatumMMA.

Jake Ellenberger

Jake Ellenberger (R)

Perhaps the most logical opponent for Condit is fellow rising contender Jake Ellenberger.

The pair met previously in Condit's second Octagon fight at Ultimate Fight Night 19, with the former WEC champ taking home a narrow split decision win over Ellenberger.

Since that fight, Ellenberger has reeled off five straight wins, including a first-round knockout of former title challenger Jake Shields in September.

Anthony "Rumble" Johnson

Following a lengthy layoff to rehab a knee injury, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson has come back with a vengeance.

Johnson has made a statement by defeating former title challenger Dan Hardy and knocking out another fast-rising welterweight Charlie Brenneman within the last year.

With wins in five of his last six bouts, Johnson may just be one more win away from a crack at the welterweight belt.

Josh Koscheck

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

American Kickboxing Academy product Josh Koscheck is looking to work his way back up the welterweight ladder.

Koscheck dropped a five-round decision to current champion Georges St-Pierre last December and was forced out of action with a broken orbital.

The former national champion wrestler returned to the Octagon at UFC 135 and knocked out UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes in the first round.

Jon Fitch

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

In a world without Georges St-Pierre, Jon Fitch may very well be the UFC champion.

The fighter has won 21 of his last 23 fights, with the last 15 bouts coming inside the Octagon.

Fitch fought former champion BJ Penn to a draw in February, but has been out of action ever since with a should injury. 

He is expected to return against Johny Hendricks at UFC 141, but should a fight with Condit present itself, a change in the matchup would not be out of the question.

BJ Penn

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Even after being battered by Nick Diaz and declaring that he was retiring, BJ Penn could make a surprise return if UFC President Dana White's hunch comes true.

White expressed his doubts that Penn was officially done, but Penn is yet to say otherwise.

The Hawaiian was originally slated to face Condit at UFC 137 before the card was shuffled and the former champion could very well spoil Condit's title aspirations.