UFC
Manager: Carlos Condit wasn't given an option in Georges St-Pierre-Nick Diaz situation
Nov 1, 2011 - 8:30:21 PM Manager: Carlos Condit wasn't given an option in Georges St-Pierre-Nick Diaz situation

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

When UFC President Dana White announced on Saturday night that Nick Diaz would once again be matched up with Georges St-Pierre for a shot at the Welterweight Title, he stated that GSP's initially lined up challenger, Carlos Condit, had "agreed" to step aside for the fight.

However, Condit's manager Malki Kawa has come out in numerous interviews and on Twitter saying that's not entirely the case. Additionally, on Monday's edition of Inside MMA on HDNet, Kawa released a prepared statement about the situation:

"We are obviously disappointed in the UFC's decision to cancel its commitment with Carlos Condit to give another fighter an opportunity at the Welterweight Title based on emotional reactions from UFC 137. Contrary to what has been stated, Carlos did not step aside to allow this to happen, and would not just hand over an opportunity for him to achieve his greatest career goal, one that he has earned through his strong performances in the Octagon. No option was given to him.

For the second time in less than two weeks, Carlos has had an opportunity swept out from beneath his feet. He has shown nothing but pure class in his drive to the title, and will continue to do so. Carlos does not need motivation to fight for the title, he already has it. This situation will only motivate Carlos more. He will move forward and continue to train at the level that has made him the legitimate number one contender for the UFC Welterweight Championship, and he is looking forward to the opportunity to earn that title."

Despite the contention that they weren't given a choice, Condit will still take a fight on the Super Bowl weekend card where the Diaz-GSP fight will take place. A win in that fight should give him the shot after that.

Penick's Analysis: It is truly unfortunate that Condit was brushed aside for GSP to fight Diaz, especially in the manner it happened here, but at the same time it's hard to fault the UFC for making the change. It was going to require a major performance from Diaz, one he delivered, and a raise in fan desire for the fight - which the fight and post-fight comments achieved. Diaz, by defeating Penn as he did, made a legitimate claim to deserving the title shot he was initially just handed upon his UFC return. Not only that, he drew some emotion from the UFC Champion which simply hasn't been seen in a lot of his recent fights. Condit is the undeserving casualty because of all this, and it really isn't a fair situation to him. Unfortunately, fair or no, it's the situation he's found himself in. What he needs to do is get back in the cage, win his next matchup and leave no question that he deserves to fight for that title. If he can do that, he'll get his opportunity, and though it will be overdue at that point, he'll still get it.