UFC
Carlos Condit hoping for March or April 2015 return to UFC, but not rushing through recovery from knee injury
Oct 28, 2014 - 10:35:29 AM Carlos Condit hoping for March or April 2015 return to UFC, but not rushing through recovery from knee injury

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Carlos Condit entered 2014 on a high after a win over Martin Kampmann in August of 2013. Unfortunately, while he appeared poised to return to the title picture this year, he blew out his knee in a fight with Tyron Woodley, both costing him the fight and putting a halt on his title aspirations for the foreseeable future.

After a physically and mentally draining rehab process, Condit says he's been cleared to begin some light training, and is hoping he can make it back by March or April of 2015.

"I've basically been cleared to start doing some sparring and training as long as it is light," Condit said in an interview with Duane Finley at BleacherReport.com. "I have to be cautious of anything explosive movement-wise or doing anything too quickly. I can run, hit mitts and do plenty of other things. I just can't go 100 percent on anything yet. I can do jiu-jitsu from the ground but I have to be careful with explosive takedowns and things like that. All of my training partners have been great and know I'm not 100 percent right now, so they've been able to get their work in without putting my knee in danger."

"Right now, I'm looking at getting back into the cage in March or April. That's the plan and I'm working hard to make that happen."

Though that's the date he has in mind, any number of things could delay that timetable. At this point he says he's not thinking about where he stands in the UFC's current welterweight field, instead focusing all of his efforts on getting better.

"If I start to think too much about where I fit in and what's going on in my division, it's a bit much," Condit said. "I think those things are a little too far ahead of me right now. But I've been watching as a fan and I've really enjoyed the fights lately - especially at welterweight.

"There are a lot of intriguing matchups for me out there when I get back, but right now, I'm not really focused on those things. My attention is on what I have to do today to get healthy and I can't afford to take my focus off of that. There are a lot of small steps to take between now and my next fight and my focus is right where it needs to be."

Penick's Analysis: We continue to wish Condit the best in his recovery. He's a valuable part of the 170 lb. field, and if he can come back from this injury near his best, he's a fighter who can plug right back into the title picture. It would be great to see, but there's obviously a long road ahead for him. Thankfully, he's keeping a level head about everything involved in this recovery, not rushing anything in his return, and making sure that when he does come back it's at his best.

[Carlos Condit art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]