Condit vs. Diaz 2

Following Carlos Condit's unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 143, Diaz whined that he didn't need this shit and he retired. Diaz fans have been moaning ever since that Diaz won, it was a robbery, and a rematch was needed. Carlos's management stated that Condit would be open to rematching Diaz, but not until Carlos got his crack at GSP first. Followed by Dana White tweeted that Condit wanted the rematch and contracts would be signed on Friday. Now today Diaz's trainer is saying there's not going to be a rematch. What a whirlwind!

Starting off, I'll restate that I'm a Condit fan. When I watched the fight on Saturday, I thought Diaz had probably won since he was the aggressor and I could have seen the judges giving him rounds 1, 2, & 5. I felt that Carlos was landing the better and stronger shots, but it's hard to win when your opponent appears to be pushing the action. When Bruce Buffer announced Carlos won, I was surprised and quite happy.

When the rematch talk started, I found it to be annoying as most major MMA media defended the Condit victory. Fight Metrics supported the decision also. Why should Condit have to beat Diaz again to get to GSP? Seemed like the desire for the rematch was mostly an effort by the UFC to get the desired GSP/Diaz matchup.

Stepping back though, it really doesn't make sense for Condit to wait until November for his next fight. Fighters get paid when they compete, and waiting so long would mean passing up a potential pay day.

Condit earned $110,000 for his victory against Diaz ($55,000 to show and $55,000 for the win). Diaz made $200,000. Fighters reported receive more compension from the UFC that doesn't get reported particularly at the top of the card. Regardless, now is a good time for Condit to re-negotiate and agreeing to a rematch with Diaz is probably the most lucrative fight out there for Condit.

The biggest risk would be losing and not getting the shot against GSP and what potentially would be a large bonus from the UFC. However, if Carlos lost, he'd likely be two wins (perhaps just one) away from the next title shot. And frankly, Condit is more adaptable than Diaz and is more likely to walk away from the rematch a more convincing victor.

Back to the payday argument, if not Diaz, then who would he fight instead? Koscheck? Condit was originally scheduled to face Koscheck at 143, and he'd earn a title shot with the win. If Kos wins, then the UFC would be forced to put on GSP/Koscheck 3 and who needs to see that? Johny Hendricks? Perhaps. Feels like he needs another high profile win first. The winner of Jake Ellenberger/Diego Sanchez? A rematch of Condit's split decision victory over Ellenberger could be good. I don't really see "The Dream" as a welterweight title contender.

Also with the UFC putting on so many shows this year, it doesn't make sense to sit Condit until GSP gets back. Factoring in that plus the other potential challengers, a Diaz rematch feels like it has the most upside for everyone invovled.