Roundtables
UFC 143 ROUNDTABLE: Should the UFC book a Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz rematch this summer?
Feb 7, 2012 - 9:30:13 PM UFC 143 ROUNDTABLE: Should the UFC book a Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz rematch this summer?

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Should the UFC set up a rematch between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz this summer? Why or why not?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNist

Look. It was a good fight. It was a competitive fight. It was a fight almost everybody would love to see again. But in no way should Carlos Condit be forced to 'prove it' like he's playing a competitive game of Horse in his driveway. In college football this year, LSU went to Alabama and won in hostile territory. Their reward? A rematch with Alabama. The result? They lost, rendering their efforts in the first game completely moot. Alabama went 1-1 against LSU and LSU went 1-1 against Alabama. Yet Alabama was 'deemed' the best because they won the rematch. Meanwhile in the middle of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Cowboys were wondering what in the hell they had to do to get a shot at the UFC Welterweight Ti.... I mean NCAA Football championship. And that's before factoring in the fact that the fine people of Palo Alto weren't even considered worthy despite a sterling resume. Whenever your sport invites comparisons to the BCS, that, that's not good. Carlos Condit (LSU) won a close fight (game) against Nick Diaz (Alabama) and should not be forced to prove it was not a fluke. Let the next contender, Jake Ellenberger (Oklahoma State) get his chance to 'prove it' now. And after that fight, since this isn't college football Johny Hendricks (Stanford) can eventually earn a shot by (gasp) winning.


ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

Condit beat Diaz. It went to the judges. They scored it as such. It is what it is. I would like to see a rematch if Joe Silva and the brass believe it might play out differently as far as action is concerned. Otherwise, I am not interested as Condit out-pointed Diaz pretty masterfully and I do not need to see that again.

It would be great to have Condit erase any doubt about him winning before he fights GSP, but this decision is not as bad as Machida vs. Shogun I. There really is no need for Condit to prove himself twice. And speaking of Machida - he backpedals like it is his job, and Joe Rogan gave him an "era." Condit was sniping and escaping, an acceptable form of combat in my book. Especially when you are facing a guy that you probably are not going to be able to knock out.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Absolutely they should. Georges St-Pierre won't be healthy enough to fight for a little while longer. There's no one else who's more deserving. A fight that close is deserving of a rematch anyhow, but especially if GSP can't fight soon. No need for GSP to rush back.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

The UFC should set up this fight because it will sell. It was a good fight and I think it will be a better rematch. Most everyone, including me, was picking Diaz. I also think Diaz will fight a smarter fight and make it more exciting the second time around. This fight should, and I think will, happen this summer.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Absolutely. This is one of the most debated decisions I have ever seen in the UFC, with fighters, promoters, fans and analysts alike arguing over who won which rounds and why. This fight was not the most entertaining barn burner we've ever seen, but it is definitely worthy of a sequel. Many people had negative remarks for both fighters by the dozens. Nick wasn't pushing hard enough or Carlos spent too much time back pedaling. Reading Jason Amadi's stance on the subject would provide a great dose of understanding for those who were unsure of why the tactics worked or were necessary.

Diaz vs. Condit II is seemingly more and more unlikely as time passes due to both Diaz's supposed retirement post-match and Condit's camp saying they want to wait for GSP to return to action. With GSP ballparking November I really don't think we're going to see Condit sitting on the sidelines that long, so hopefully he'll will himself into another war with Diaz. This fight was a turning point as its the first time a welterweight aside from St.Pierre has worn the title since April of 2008. After re-watching this fight I am actually anxious for a rematch, consider me sold on these two matching gameplans in the Octagon, as Diaz's pushing and Condits defense and counter strikes made for an entertaining match, but if there is a rematch both men must be more aggressive in their approach. Most people have been calling for lower weight fighters on the Fox cards - how about this to headline UFC on Fox 4?


GRIFFIN MARSH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Yes, it was a great fight! Why on earth wouldn't you? I firmly know Condit clearly won the fight. But it's not like Diaz wasn't in the fight every second and proved he belongs fighting in the UFC welterweight division, fighting the best welterweights the world can offer. In a losing effort, Diaz shut my mouth up. He proved that even though he faced opponents he was mostly superior too in the past 6 years, he belongs with the best of the best.


JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Carlos Condit entered the UFC as a champion, and would have gotten a title shot after the Martin Kampmann fight had one judge seen the fight differently. Since then, Condit got a decision win over Jake Ellenberger and brutally stopped Rory MacDonald, Dan Hardy and Dong Hyun Kim.

I think we need to see Nick Diaz do some of that.

The fact is, Condit's been jerked around by the UFC for months now. When Nick Diaz didn't want to play ball, Condit stepped up for the company and was ready to battle Georges St-Pierre. Then when Diaz got hot again after defeating B.J. Penn, the UFC had Condit "step aside" for Diaz. Now that Condit actually defeated Nick Diaz and has staked his claim to the UFC Welterweight Championship, the UFC wants him to fight Diaz again?

Diaz handed Carlos Condit a title shot last October when he decided to blow off his media obligations, but Condit took it from him last Saturday night. At this point, we're talking about a title fight with the biggest star in mixed martial arts. Condit would be a fool to pass up that opportunity and I think he should wait.

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