When Carlos Condit was scheduled in for a welterweight title shot against Robbie Lawler on January 2 of 2016, there was some debate as to whether or not he actually deserved the opportunity. Though he stood out as a long-time member of the welterweight elite, and as a former champion in the UFC and WEC, he was just one win removed from a loss to Tyron Woodley. As impressive as that win was – it saw him batter Thiago Alves to a doctor stoppage – his recent loss to Woodley left many questioning the legitimacy of his title shot.
In the end, Condit proved he deserved the shot in the biggest way possible, engaging Robbie Lawler in arguably the best fight of the year 2016 and one of the greatest welterweight fights ever. Given the fact that Condit and Lawler are known as two of the most consistently entertaining fighters in MMA, this is not particularly surprising.
Over the course of this five round fight, Condit and Lawler both hurt each other on multiple occasions, with Condit favoring a more diverse, volume-based striking attack, and Lawler leaning on the kind of power strikes that could joggle planets out of their orbits. It was the kind of incredible, back-and-forth battle that will never be forgotten.
In the end, of course, the judges’ would award Robbie Lawler a split decision win – though this verdict would go down as one of the most controversial judging decisions of the year.
BKFC President David Feldman is hoping “Platinum” Mike Perry will be back in the ring this March, and there are some interesting potential opponents on the table for the UFC veteran turned bare-knuckle star.
UFC welterweight contender Michael ‘Venom’ Page will dip his toes into submission grappling when he faces former title challenger Carlos Condit at Polaris 30.
