Advertisement

Carlos Condit is Out to Show That He ‘Hasn’t Gone Anywhere’

Carlos Condit is Out to Show That He ‘Hasn’t Gone Anywhere’

Fourth-ranked welterweight Carlos Condit has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in his UFC 171 bout against Tyron Woodley in March 2014.

While the 170-pound division has crowned a new champion and moved on without him over the last fourteen months, Condit plans to show the world that he’s still at the top of the weight class in his octagon return against Thiago Alves in the UFC Fight Night 67 main event.

The two are known for their precision striking and, on paper, the match-up is expected to be an exciting pairing.

“It’s going to be fast-paced and violent,” said Condit following the UFC Fight Night 67 open workouts. “I think he’s going to come right out of the gate guns blazing.”

The 31-year-old may have been out of action for more than a year, but that doesn’t mean he’s rusty.

RELATED > Thiago Alves Will Finish Carlos Condit or Give Him the ‘Beating of His Life’

“I’ve been training non-stop since I was injured,” he said. “Initially it was to rehab the knee and get it strong again. Since then I’ve been completely focused on getting back in the cage and getting right back in the win column.”

Alves’ most effective weapon throughout his career has been his destructive leg kicks. With Condit coming off a knee injury, he was asked if his opponent’s leg attack concerns him heading into Saturday’s fight.

“I would be concerned whether I was coming off a knee injury or not because he does have devastating leg kicks. But it’s something that I’m ready for. It’s something that we’ve prepared for, and I’m ready,” said “The Natural Born Killer.”

But Alves isn’t simply known for his leg-kicking prowess. He has knockout power in his hands and is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“I wouldn’t say there’s really any weaknesses [in Alves’ game]. He’s a complete fighter. I think it’s just who executes on fight night, said Condit.

Condit has had big fights. He’s held the WEC welterweight title and the UFC interim 170-pound belt. But the next fight is always an athlete’s most crucial. Condit is out to prove something on Saturday.

“Every fight is super important, especially at the top level. This fight will show that I haven’t gone anywhere and that I belong in the running for the title.”

Follow MMAWeekly.com on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram