How Carlos Condit Becomes Welterweight Champ

How Carlos Condit Becomes Welterweight Champ

 

No easy task, but Condit comes into UFC 195 flexing a skill-set that matches up better than past challengers to Robbie Lawler’s Championship. 20 of Lawler’s 26 wins have come by way of KO/TKO, however Condit is the owner of 15 KO/TKO and 13 Submission wins in his 30 wins (he’s won just 2 fights by way of judges’ decision).

Both fighters prefer to battle it out on the feet, where Condit will have a one inch reach advantage. More importantly the former WEC champ will benefit from a five inch leg reach advantage, normally not a very telling stat, but Condit typically employs a kick heavy arsenal in his fights. A successful Condit will maintain his distance and pick Lawler apart with kicks and punches from distance.

In the past Condit has been susceptible to the take down due to kicks, never afraid to test his BJJ game from his back (remember the 13 subs) “The Natural Born Killer” has been outpointed by fighters like GSP and Kampman for not controlling position. Condit displays a versatile guard, throwing many punches and elbows from his back and also possesses long legs with great flexibility. Robbie Lawler has been known to deliver hard punches in every position, to avoid damage Condit should use his BJJ to get to his feet or sweep.

On the feet Condit utilizes great footwork, moves backward effectively and counters with precision. Important skills when fighting a power striker like Lawler. Tyron Woodley is the only fighter to stop Carlos Condit by strikes. In their match up in March, Woodley landed a leg kick following a takedown that resulted in a TKO loss, due to R leg injury for Condit. This May, the leg appeared to be fine when CC finished Thiago Alves in the 2^nd round at UFC Fight Night 67.

The last WEC Welterweight champ has also worn UFC gold. In Feb of 2012 he bested Nick Diaz for the interim WW belt at UFC 143. Condit is no stranger to five round fights and never appears out of shape. The Albuquerque native is a long time trainee at Jackson-Wink MMA and will take advantage of great coaching.  

Counter striking and effective footwork are the keys to success for Condit. Twenty fighters have fallen in the past to Lawler’s power. Condit has faced many of the division’s best and survived their attacks. Look for Carlos to do the same in this fight, avoid power punches and counter. CC by 3^rd round TKO.