When you look at the history of the UFC, and at greater scale MMA in general, there are certain fighters that are etched into your memory. They are as part of the brand as the voices you hear and the logos you see.
Carlos Condit was and is a massive part of the UFC. He just captured his second consecutive victory at Fight Island , this time over Matt “The Immortal” Brown.
The former UFC interim champion sat down with Bo Templin for an episode of In the Fight.
Condit is notorious for entering the arena to Rage Against the Machine. It is part of his lure, and the music is forever affiliated with the Natural Born Killer for so many fight fans.
ONE37pm: I have a confession to make. I just want to be open, transparent, and honest. I have not listened to a whole lot of Rage Against The Machine in my life. But help me, give me some guidance. Where do I start? What album? Am I hitting the heavy bag, going on a run, or getting a lift in? What is the ultimate Rage Against the Machine scenario?
Condit: “Oh man. There are a lot of layers, my friend. If you wanna get amped and use it for adrenaline, you can do that. There is a lot of depth. Maybe just start with the first album, which is Evil Empire? There is not a bad album. Just dive right in.
ONE37pm: So, first things first, congratulations. You had a great win over Matt Brown. Fight Island… on ABC. I know you said you didn’t care about the ABC thing much. But now that you are able to remove yourself from the fight… has it sunk in at all that you were on the same channel Muhammed Ali was on?
Condit: Not really. I just touched down in Albuquerque an hour ago. I just got home. So no, not quite actually… I’m jet lagged and still on Abu Dhabi time.
ONE37pm: With the Fight Island thing, you grabbed two wins there over the last two months. There were guys out of rhythm, out of routine. Do you think your experience played a factor in focusing on the fight? You know your weight, your weight cut. Do you think those reps and years helped you as opposed to the younger cats who were in the chaotic world of Fight Island?
Condit: “I think so. I have seen quite a bit in my time as a fighter. I have fought all over the world. Different time zones and lots of different variables. It’s been my philosophy for a long time, but anyone can compete when they are totally comfortable. But it takes a pro to, no matter what, take care of business. Something will always come up. You should be able to compete, even on your worst day.”
ONE37pm: As you mentioned, you have fought in Hawaii, Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Indianapolis, Vegas… which place was your favorite to fight in… and what place had the best post-fight meal?
Condit:“Oh man, it’s really hard to choose. Tokyo was one of my favorite places for a lot of different reasons. Who I was at the time, having not seen a whole lot of the world… Tokyo definitely holds a special place in my heart. For a post-fight meal, I gotta say in Montreal. We had amazing food there.”
ONE37pm: What is it with Canada and MMA? What is the connection? It just seems perfect. What is it?
Condit: “I don’t know if I could quite put my finger on it. But I know GSP being such an incredible athlete, talent, and champion had a big part.”
ONE37pm: In your time in the WEC, you go 5-0. You’re the champ. You’re a bad man, the Natural Born Killer. What was it during that time span that you were syncing on all levels? Was it the matchups? Was it the time in your life mentally? What do you think led to that iconic 5-0 run?
Condit: “I think a lot of things aligned. I had my formula right at the moment, at that time. That’s a moving target though. That changes as things change around you and as you change as a person. You have to adjust… but during that time I think I just had my formula dialed in.”
ONE37pm: Let’s rewind to the days before the WEC. Before you reach the high level of MMA, it’s touch and go. Some of the promotions are not great to work with. Some of the events are not clean. It’s sketchy. When you look back on that time in your life, what do you think the biggest mistake you were making?
Condit: “I wasted a lot of time not being as diligent in my preparation as I am now. I had to develop a work ethic. I honestly didn’t know how to train like a professional athlete. I was training with a camp that had incredible trainers, but the people I was training with were fighters, but not high-level athletes. It took me making a move, training with D-1 wrestlers… to see what real athletes trained like in and outside of the gym.”
ONE37pm: What is the cleanest shot you have landed? And then, what is the hardest shot you have taken?
Condit: “Maybe that knockout against Dan Hardy. That left hook was *click*. It was kind of the perfect shot… and then the hardest shot I’ve probably taken was against Jake Ellenberger. Jake Ellenberger hits like a truck and he caught me solid, right in my eye. His whole fist fit right in my eye socket.”
ONE37pm: I don’t want to be an annoying media press member, but your contract with the UFC is up. Now that your fight is done, what is the mindset now? Do you like being in on the business negotiations? Do you let that off to your agent?
Condit: “I would say it is a collaborative effort between me and my management. It’s obviously a big part of my life and it’s my livelihood. So I definitely have a big say in that and ultimately have the final say. We are in talks. Now that I am back in the US, we will have a sit-down and see what we are going to do.”
