UFC 143 Results: Key Takeaways from Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz

Fifty minutes after midnight Sunday morning, Carlos Condit became the new UFC interim welterweight champion in a unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz in the main event of UFC 143 in Las Vegas.

It was a close fight, and at least one person didn't agree with the judges' decision—one Nick Diaz. In the televised postfight interview, a frustrated Diaz appeared to retire, saying "I think I'm done with this MMA...I don't need this [stuff], you know what I mean? I pushed this guy backwards the whole time and he ran from me the whole fight. I landed the harder shots. He ran the whole time...if that's the way they think you have to win, then I don't want to play this game no more."

Who knows what will happen in the cold light of the morning, but in the meantime here are some key takeaways from the bout.

What We'll Remember About This Fight 

In a back-and-forth, five-round standup battle, Diaz finally found someone who could match him lung for lung. Diaz appeared to take the first two rounds with his stalk-you-down boxing, but Condit didn't wear down, beginning to steer clear of damage while landing an array of targeted shots. Though tongues may wag over the outcome, and the striking statistics will be interesting once they are available, initially it seems the better man likely prevailed.

What We Learned About Nick Diaz

For someone claiming himself as the planet's most well-rounded fighter, he appeared reluctant to reach into the bag of tricks. Diaz, possibly sensing he was behind, scored a last-ditch takedown with about a minute left, but despite his efforts he could not land Condit in any serious trouble.

Other than that and a few kicks here and there, Diaz did not stray from the attack he has used so heavily (and effectively) in recent years. It was effective again tonight, but not quite enough to grab and maintain a decisive advantage. 

What We Learned About Carlos Condit

That he's the second-best welterweight in the world. Probably.

Condit was back-pedaling throughout but still stayed busier than Diaz and had the endurance to circle out of any attempt to cut off the ring, even in the later rounds. As he himself predicted, Condit's ability (or at least willingness) to use a more diverse attack than Diaz is probably what got him the edge on the scorecards. In the fourth stanza, he threw a gorgeous left jab, leg kick, head kick combo that might have been the move of the match. 

What's Next for Diaz?

Another welterweight who was victorious tonight was fellow contender and GSP antagonist Josh Koscheck. He could be a good matchup for Diaz. The thunder-fisted Johny Hendricks would also be entertaining. This is assuming, of course, that Diaz didn't actually just retire.

What's next for Condit?

Georges St-Pierre is scheduled to fight again in November. If the interim champ wants to hold out for a shot at the real strap, he'd be facing a long stint on the shelf. If not, he might be facing Jake Ellenberger, if Ellenberger can get past Diego Sanchez at UFC on Fuel TV 1 on Feb. 15. Ellenberger lost to Condit back in 2009 by a close split decision but hasn't lost since; most recently he put the proverbial flashlight in Jake Shields' eye back in September.