UFC
UFC 143: Dana White open to Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz rematch after close fight
Feb 6, 2012 - 1:05:59 PM UFC 143: Dana White open to Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz rematch after close fight

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Following the close decision result between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz at UFC 143, MMATorch Supervising Editor Wade Keller made the case that a rematch between the two is the right fight to make seeing as Georges St-Pierre is likely not returning until November.

It's a sentiment echoed by UFC President Dana White, who said that it could make sense to make that fight again with such a close result.

"I know [St-Pierre] wanted that Diaz fight bad, but it's not going to be Diaz so he better get angry with Carlos Condit or focus on Carlos Condit or whatever he needs to do," White said after the event (transcribed by BloodyElbow.com). "Carlos Condit won this fight. No matter how much Georges and Nick hate each other, Carlos Condit won, and I think the fans are mad at the way Carlos Condit fought. Too f***ing bad. He came in with a game plan and stuck to it and won. You know what's funny man, is that when he said that, I was thinking the same thing. It's crazy, but. I was thinking it after the fight. You know, people are bitching and thinking it was close or whatever, we can do that fight again before GSP comes back. It depends on Carlos too, he's really gotta say, and Nick's gotta say, 'I want to fight him again too.'"

Condit is likely to defend his newly won Interim Welterweight Championship once before St-Pierre is ready to return, and if the UFC can convince Diaz not to retire a rematch may be possible in a few months.

Penick's Analysis: In the poll we ran on Sunday about the possibility of a rematch, 55% of those responding said they wanted to see the rematch. It was a close fight, and a second bout could absolutely bring some closure, but a rematch isn't necessarily a sensible fight for Condit himself. A better rematch for Condit might actually be the Jake Ellenberger fight, as it was a split decision that Ellenberger nearly finished in the first round. If Ellenberger defeats Diego Sanchez next week, he may have more of an argument for a rematch with Condit than Diaz would. Still, the UFC may go with the Diaz-Condit rematch if Condit agrees to it and if Diaz decides against retirement. If that's what they choose, it would be hard to argue with the fight.

[Dana White art by Travis Beaven (c) MMATorch.com]