UFC 143 Looking Forward: Analyzing Carlos Condit's Future Fight with GSP

UFC 143 turned out to be another solid night of fights, and ended with the crowning of a new welterweight champion in the wake of Georges St-Pierre’s layoff. Carlos Condit emerged victorious in the Octagon after five rounds of striking and slipping away.

While the decision victory is being debated across the MMA universe, the belt at the end of the night went home with “The Natural Born Killer.” 

Now past one of the toughest opponents of his career, Carlos Condit is back in position to unify the belts and possibly become the undisputed welterweight champion. GSP is recovering from injury, with no clear return date yet, but has expressed that it may very well be until July or August until he’s ready to even train again.

In the meantime, Condit will have to speak with his team and the UFC to figure out his next move. 

Some think he should wait for GSP, while others say he should stay active. The hesitation comes from losing the position he has been in multiple times to fight GSP, but circumstance has prevented this. Now Condit will either have a nice, long vacation or he will prove that he truly is at the top of the heap and hold off those who are essentially GSP’s challengers. 

Condit facing GSP is what seems likely, though, and Carlos’ game plan was implemented very well against Nick Diaz. The interesting aspect to the GSP vs. Condit fight is the fact that GSP is famously known for having excellent game plans for his opponents.

One of the smarter and studious fighters, GSP comes into fights prepared and usually better than his last fight. 

Condit showcased good and continuous leg kicks and strikes, throwing record numbers with his kicks, and getting the better of exchanges in general. Even though he was backpedaling for most of the fight, he utilized his kicks and footwork to keep Diaz at bay without letting himself become cornered or swarmed.

Seeing how he was originally slated to fight GSP before, his preparation and studying GSP should be well developed if and when they meet in the cage. 

Condit may very well be looking to aim his kicks toward the knee of GSP, capitalizing on his recent injury. GSP, though, has the wrestling ability to control the fight more than Diaz did in his fight with Condit.

Condit's jiu-jitsu could be a deciding factor against GSP. Seeing as how the Canadian is effective at and likes to use takedowns, this is where Condit could have a strong advantage. Condit also has power in his hands and has shown a solid chin, leaving GSP hard pressed to get a finish.

Because of the layoff and the seemingly boring style of GSP lately, he will need a finish more than ever. By the time he returns, he will need to reinsert himself into the division and put on a great fight.

Condit poses a potentially great fight for him, but could also be another one that goes to a decision. 

Both fighters share the common trait in being very well-rounded. They both have improving striking, a solid ground game and are smart about the way they fight. This fight could be a very technical fight, but who knows what factors will help/hinder the fighters when going in for the kill?

Maybe GSP will have some ring rust or be timid about Condit’s power in his hands.

Maybe Condit, too, will suffer from a layoff if he indeed waits for GSP to come back, or maybe he doesn’t have a strong answer for GSP’s wrestling.

The time off and GSP’s knee will be the strongest variables for their fight. Both have the ability to finish the other, but will both be at 100 percent when they step into the Octagon? 

GSP and Condit have equal reach, but Condit is taller. Using his height might work to his advantage, especially on the ground, but will Condit be quick enough to trade and counter with GSP?

Once again, a very technical fight prospect, but this could mean another decision win for either. 

This fight is not the most intriguing on paper, but after giving Condit the interim belt, the unification has a certain draw to it. Condit may not be as brash and wild as Nick Diaz, but it should still be a great fight. GSP has expressed in the past that he believes Condit was the bigger challenge than Diaz, and it seems he was right.

This will be a main event that will need to be complemented with a co-main event that  between two consistent finishers. Not that GSP or Condit won’t get a finish, but on the safe side of business, having a co-main and main fight go to a decision is not always ideal. 

If and when this fight does take place, expect it to be a stacked card. The promotion will be focused on the return of GSP and the unification, but just cross your fingers that no other injuries or situations arise.

GSP may not have the motivation and emotions with Condit that he would have had with Diaz, but rest assured that both men will come to fight and have something huge to prove. Only one man can implement their game plan effectively, while their opponent’s falls apart.

GSP vs. Condit could and should be a great war, but time will tell. 

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