If that was Carlos Condit's final fight, he left a lasting impression
LAS VEGAS – If that was the last fight fans ever see of Carlos Condit, he'll leave them with quite the memory.
Unhappy with his performance in a previous shot at the UFC welterweight title, Condit put on a fight of a lifetime in an epic battle with Robbie Lawler on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden in the main event of UFC 195.
That he came out on the short end of an extraordinarily close split decision says nothing in regard to what he actually did in the cage against one of the UFC's best, and most powerful, fighters.
Judges Chris Lee and Derek Cleary gave Lawler Rounds 2, 3 and 5 and scored the fight for him 48-47. The third judge, Tony Weeks, gave Lawler Rounds 2 and 5 and had it 48-47 for Condit.
The crowd, which was on its feet in a full-throated roar for most of the final two minutes, left having seen one of the best fights they could possibly have hoped to see. Little could they know, however, what was swirling through the 31-year-old challenger's mind.
Condit has an analytical mind and doesn't necessarily do or say things without a purpose. Very quietly before the fight, he began to contemplate whether he'd want to go on in his career if the fight didn't go his way.
He left the Octagon without the belt he'd worked so hard to earn, but exited with an extraordinary amount of new fans after putting together an exceptional fight. He said the decision to consider retirement isn't one that is emotional or that came in the wake of a bitter defeat.
He's going to do some soul searching over the next few weeks, even though thousands of fight fans are secretly hoping he goes on and fights again.
He'd had a brilliant career before UFC 195, having won the World Extreme Cagefighting welterweight belt as well as the interim UFC title, and he scored victories over some of the world's most dangerous men.
He was better in defeat than he'd ever been in victory, and came out of the bout with his stature greater than it was going in.
"I've been at this for a long time, over 40 professional MMA fights, MMA and kickboxing," he said, trying to explain his thoughts. "I don't know. I came up short tonight. Tonight was kind of a do-or-die moment for my career. I was all in. If I got that strap, I'd keep fighting. If I didn't, like I didn't, I'd have to see if I can continue."
Lawler, who has put together a string of amazing victories over the last two years, could barely contain himself in his praise of Condit.
He said he'd love to do a rematch, but noted at the post-fight news conference that ultimately it's up to UFC president Dana White to decide.
"I'm not going to play that game," Lawler said.
But he was more than willing to heap praise upon Condit, who did just about everything he wanted to do short of getting his hand raised.
“Carlos is a hell of a fighter and he comes from one of the best camps in the world,” Lawler said. “He came with a game plan and we battled it out. There were two winners tonight.”
Regardless of what one thought of the outcome, and opinions were divided, both earned massive respect.
Lawler entered coming off an epic win at UFC 189 over Rory MacDonald that has to at least be in the conversation for the greatest MMA fight ever.
Saturday's bout wasn't at that level, but it will take a monumental fight to knock it off as the best match of 2016. And the fifth round has to be among the best closing rounds ever in a UFC championship match.
Lawler is a champion because he doesn't quit and he came up big when he most needed to do so.
"He's our Evander Holyfield, man" White said, comparing Lawler to the former undisputed boxing heavyweight champion known for his heart-pounding bouts. "Right? He's never in a boring fight. When he gets hurt, he continues to go toe-to-toe and Robbie reminds me that he's our Evander Holyfield. He really does."
But Condit showed every bit as much talent, courage and resilience on this night as the champion did. He bit down on the mouthpiece during a slugfest in the final two minutes with arguably his division's hardest puncher, but he didn't take a backward step and he never stopped competing.
If a fighter's heart isn't in it, he should retire. It's dangerous enough for a perfectly trained, completely focused athlete. But one who isn't sure if he wants to do it any longer is one who is asking to get hurt.
Condit needs to think it through thoroughly, but it's obvious that if he wants to compete again, he's fully able to do so. And, he should make a tremendous amount of money, given his repeated series of high-level bouts.
The sport needs more athletes like him: Men who are thoughtful and wise outside the cage, and fierce and unrelenting inside of it.
A decision to retire is a personal one and one that only he can make in conjunction with his family.
If he puts it up to a vote, however, it would be a landslide of fans begging him to stay.
If he walks away, rest assured of this: he's going out on top, regardless of the decision of the judges on Saturday. He's a champion, win or lose.
