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[Sakara=Excitement]

UFC 120 winner Condit eyes Kampmann-Shields winner, open to St-Pierre matchup | MMAjunkie.com

LONDON – UFC welterweight contender and former WEC champion Carlos Condit (26-5 MMA, 3-1 WEC) is often a man of relatively few words.

Quite simply, one doesn't earn the "Natural Born Killer" moniker by waxing poetic following key victories.

But while Condit's clips are often brief, he's generally direct. Such was the case following what he says was the biggest win of his career – a first-round knockout of British slugger Dan Hardy in the co-main event of Saturday's UFC 120 event in London.

"This was definitely the biggest fight of my career," Condit told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com). "Fighting on the co-main, fighting Dan pretty much in his backyard and at The O2 arena, this is the biggest win of my career so far."

Condit used his slight reach advantage to baffle and a bevy of punches and kicks "The Outlaw" throughout the first round. Condit was just a touch quicker throughout the 4 minute and 27 second contest, and Hardy never looked truly comfortable as he tried to exchange.

The end came as both fighters fired powerful hooks to the chin. Condit's landed first and flush, and Hardy dropped to the canvas. Two more shots came on the floor, and Hardy was out cold.

"I just felt like my timing was on tonight," Condit said. "I just felt very crisp, and I was able to walk away with the victory."

For Hardy, the loss was his second-consecutive defeat, and both came at the hands of a Greg Jackson's MMA fighter. Condit's teammate, UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre was awarded a unanimous-decision win over Hardy after a five-round fight at March's UFC 111 event.

Condit said the benefit of having a lead trainer who was coaching against Hardy for a second time was immeasurable.

"I think it helped immensely," Condit said. "I'm obviously not the same fighter. I don't have the same style or attributes that 'GSP' does, so we had a different approach to the fight. But having a coach who just recently trained a guy to fight Dan was definitely beneficial."

As with any fighter coming off of an impressive win over a top-tier opponent, the immediate question for both Condit and UFC president Dana White was, "What's next?"

Condit said he's eyeing a potential matchup with the winner of next week's UFC 121 contest between Martin Kampmann and Jake Shields. Both men have defeated Condit in prior competition, and the 26-year-old wants a chance to avenge at least one of those results.

"I'm definitely looking forward to seeing who wins that fight between Kampmann and Shields," Condit said. "I fought both those guys, and I had decisions to both of them. I'd like to maybe get one of those losses back."

White has already suggested that a Shields win would likely result in an immediate title shot for the former Strikeforce champ. But if Kampmann wins, or if the winner of the December 170-pound championship fight between St-Pierre and fellow "The Ultimate Fighter 12" coach Josh Koscheck is sidelined with injuries following the contest, Condit might be able to slide in.

Of course, should stars align in just the right way, Condit could wind up earning himself a title shot against his Greg Jackson's MMA teammate, St-Pierre. While Condit admits that would create a few issues that would need to be addressed, he refused to rule out the possibility.

"As far as 'GSP' being a teammate over at Jackson's, we've never really discussed it very much," Condit said. "I think it would be foolish of me to turn down an opportunity like that, but I guess we just have to discuss that when we get to that juncture.

"It does pose some problems, I guess, but if it happens, it happens."

White, who has struggled over the years with understanding why various teammates across the sport have ruled out potential matchups, openly applauded Condit's declaration – with actual clapping as well as high verbal praise.

"Finally," White said. "I'm tired of guys that don't want to fight each other. Just because you train together, you don't want to fight each other?

"It's not personal. It's business."

[IceCold48]

someone has to fight fitch and i think condits that guy

[Sakara=Excitement]

I want Condit to fight Lytle myself.

[HillbillyDeluxe]

Why is everyone overlooking Jon Fitch? Fitch deserves to fight, I dont give a shit if people think he's boring, he's been winning and thats how I thought title shots were earned? Fitch vs Condit: that winner gets winner of Shields/Kampmann, then whoever wins that gets a title shot. Problem Solved.

[YukonJordan]

Originally Posted by HillbillyDeluxe

Why is everyone overlooking Jon Fitch? Fitch deserves to fight, I dont give a shit if people think he's boring, he's been winning and thats how I thought title shots were earned? Fitch vs Condit: that winner gets winner of Shields/Kampmann, then whoever wins that gets a title shot. Problem Solved.

Someone on here (I can't remember who now) reminded us that Fitch has yet to even say he wants a titleshot. He's waiting to see who wins between GSP and Koschek. I don't see it being a big deal as the most likely WW scenario is that GSP and Shields win and face eachother. Fitch would really only need one fight (assuming he wins) to stay active until Shields/GSP sorts itself out.

Personally I'd like to see the winner of Shields/Kampmann get the shot at GSP/Koschek and the loser of Shields/Kampmann gets Fitch.

[Dr. MMA]

It sucks for Fitch. On the horizon are 3 other guys who may get a title shot before him: the winner of Shields/Kampmann, the winner of Hughes/Penn and now Condit. Fitch has the ability to beat all of them. Not to say he will but I personally would put my money on Fitch on all of them with his hardest bouts being against Shields and Penn.

[YukonJordan]

I forgot about Penn coming back to WW. I would love to see what would happen between Penn and Fitch.

[NLRepublic]

Condit lit it up last night. Never once got sucked into anything Hardy was trying to do, before or during the fight. Far more technique and crisper stand up than Hardy

I could see Condit taking a rematch with Kampmann, but I don't like his chances against Fitch or Shields.

I think in reality, if Shields wins the UFC won't make him fight Condit before getting his shot at GSP or Kos, they would happily save that spot for Fitch. Unfortunately for them and most of the fans, I see Fitch simultaneously sucking all the momentum out of Condit's hype, and whatever PPV the fight was on, by leaning into Condit against the cage standing and at knee level for 15 mins

[FE_EatsChildren]

personally it'd be pointless to have fitch fight for the title again. he hasn't changed anything up. he's still the same fighter that gsp destroyed. why? why again?

anyways, condit was impressive against hardy and i agree that he should get one more fight before a title shot. atleast he's open to fighting CAMP mates.

[megamus]

Originally Posted by FE_EatsChildren

personally it'd be pointless to have fitch fight for the title again. he hasn't changed anything up. he's still the same fighter that gsp destroyed. why? why again?

anyways, condit was impressive against hardy and i agree that he should get one more fight before a title shot. atleast he's open to fighting CAMP mates.

agreed^^^^

Fitch hasnt evolved, i dont think he poses any new danger to GSP so why give the rematch. GSP will still out wrestle him, kick his ass on the feet and he has better jits too. Fitch IMO needs to move up, he's in a no win situation. aside from moving up give him condit or the winner of hughes/penn and see what happens, all of them pose problems for him.