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UFC 143: Nick Diaz Vs. Carlos Condit Defines 'Gameness'

Photo by Esther Lin MMA Fighting.

Former Bloody Elbow editor-in-chief Luke Thomas makes his debut at MMA Fighting today with a fun piece about UFC 143's headliner Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit. Here's Luke explaining the concept and how it applies to this fight:

There are a number of ways to parse the fight's merits or evaluate its worthiness, but it'd be criminal to not note just how much gameness defines this bout's character. Every fighter has biological limits, but Diaz and Condit are two fighters who are nearly peerless when it comes to competing up to the outer limit of those boundaries.

Numerous examples of their durability abound. Against Rory MacDonald, Condit was able to withstand a torrential downpour of ground and pound only to stop the rising prospect in the third round. Against Paul Daley, Diaz was floored on more than one occasion in a chaotic see-saw battle only to stop the Brit with strikes late in the first. Condit was floored with gargantuan punches early by Jake Ellenberger, but hung on and eventually took a decision. Diaz was getting drilled by hard punches from Takanori Gomi before driving the Japanese sensation back with strikes, ultimately submitting him with a spectacular gogo plata. The list of their gameness accolades is nearly endless.
...
I don't want to suggest gameness is the only reason this fight is special. There's obviously more to the story. But the level of gameness both fighters exhibit is extraordinary because they also possess deep experience and technical acumen. Neither fighter is careless, but neither fighter lets caution lord over them. That's unique. Over time as fighters gain experience and add skills, you'll often see a trade off in ferocity. With Diaz and Condit, however, you just see the ferocity more expertly channeled.

Luke's dead right here. Diaz and Condit each possess levels of will and ferocity that almost no other active MMA fighters can match. I'll never forget watching Condit in his corner before the third round of his bout against Rory MacDonald. It was clear just from watching him that MacDonald was in deep trouble despite having won most of the first two rounds. Condit came out with a sense of purpose and a refusal to accept any outcome other than victory.

For his part Diaz is just as ferocious and indomitable. It's really too bad that this fight is being overlooked because welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre is injured and off the card. Of course, if GSP was healthy we'd be looking forward to GSP vs Diaz which isn't half the fight that Diaz vs. Condit promises to be.

Head on over to MMA Fighting and give Luke a warm welcome. Your BE membership will be portable now that Fighting is on the SBN platform.

SBN coverage of UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit

Comment 53 comments  |  1 recs  | 

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Haven't heard "gameness" in forever

But it’s such a great term, and so fitting for these two guys. I was reading a book about bare-knuckle boxing in the 19th c. recently, and the then-current term for the same thing was “bottom”. Weird.

Proud member of The Voices in Paul Harris' Head, BECW Season 2.
"By doubting we come to inquiry and by inquiry we perceive the truth." -- Abelard

by Patrick Wyman on Feb 1, 2012 2:40 PM EST reply actions  

I know. It’s always weird reading the old fights and coming across something like “he was the great bottom of the fancy”. I have to stop and double-check that it’s fighting they’re righting about.

Follow me @heynottheface where I occasionally tweet inane comments

by John Nash on Feb 1, 2012 2:57 PM EST up reply actions  

Hahaha

It’s so true.

Proud member of The Voices in Paul Harris' Head, BECW Season 2.
"By doubting we come to inquiry and by inquiry we perceive the truth." -- Abelard

by Patrick Wyman on Feb 1, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions  

I've been hoping for this fight for years.

We’re so close, finally. The two most bloody-minded fighters in the game. War Condit!

What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?

by Kwisatz Haderach on Feb 1, 2012 2:40 PM EST reply actions  

And they added the SBnation comment system

thank god. haha

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Team: Brock Lesnar's Cruelty-Free Pest Control

by NickaG on Feb 1, 2012 2:43 PM EST reply actions  

I’ve said that this fight will be like tossing two starving heyenas into a sack. This is going to be a sick war! I can’t wait!

by Steve W on Feb 1, 2012 2:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions   2 recs

most accurate description i've read of this fight....

and these two fighters. this description sums up why i am more excited for this fight then i have ever been for any fight i can remember.

"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow

by F'n Clownshoes on Feb 1, 2012 2:45 PM EST reply actions  

I can't believe I'm going to miss this fight!

At least I’m not babysitting…..

Bloodyelbow is my facebook

by soilworker on Feb 1, 2012 2:56 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

you were supposed to leave the second line for us

to receive the rec, and the accompanying eternal glory.
FAIL.

BECW S2: BUS FEEDERS PICK#73

by gspmademegay on Feb 1, 2012 3:21 PM EST up reply actions  

Anybody else thinking

Possible fight of the decade?

by Douglas Vincent on Feb 1, 2012 2:57 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

If the fight of the decade hadn't been in San Jose two months ago, I might agree with you.

"Computer being attacked by virus contracted from watching illegal japanese schoold girl porn. Bare with me." - Our Bovine Public

Captain of The Bus Feeders, Bloody Elbow Civil War, Season Two

by T.C. Engel on Feb 1, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Who's...

…overlooking this fight? Not sure where you got that from, Kid Nate. All indications point to general giddyness over the match up.

by INGO B on Feb 1, 2012 2:59 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

casual fans are overlooking the fight

I expect it’ll do about 500,000 fewer buys than GSP vs Diaz would have done

Follow me on Twitter @KidNate

by Nate Wilcox on Feb 1, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions  

I hope Condit takes it.

But something tells me the fight will play out like a slightly more even, and much faster-paced, Diaz vs. Cerrone.

by lolumad on Feb 1, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions  

Could be true

But a big part of that was Diaz the younger’s reach advantage. Condit has equal reach and an inch of height.

by Scott Whitaker on Feb 1, 2012 6:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Rec’d for truth.

Shit, I hadn’t thought of that.

This could be stopped due to Diaz bleeding.

by jcbrewer on Feb 1, 2012 3:13 PM EST up reply actions  

I could definitely see Condit attacking with lots of elbows and some knees to try and hack a hole in Diaz's face.

That could be a potential fight finisher.

"Computer being attacked by virus contracted from watching illegal japanese schoold girl porn. Bare with me." - Our Bovine Public

Captain of The Bus Feeders, Bloody Elbow Civil War, Season Two

by T.C. Engel on Feb 1, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions  

“GSP vs Diaz which isn’t half the fight that Diaz vs Condit promises to be”

I’d be much more interested in GSP vs Diaz.

by Rody Diaz on Feb 1, 2012 3:04 PM EST reply actions  

i’m sure he meant “fight’s merit” rather than" merits fights" but you’re right it’s tuff to get thru the thomas grandiosity.

I'm straight. That means I like women.
Trainyard Sleepers: Our Foot Your Ass
I'm not afraid of you, internet.
Just try to learn from Rafa. He is the one from whom you should seek guidance.

by Hardy's in your face on Feb 1, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions  

I can see Condit wimning the first round and a half, maybe dropping Diaz a couple of times before Nick goes insane and puts a severe beating on him in one of the fastest paces fights ever to grace the octagon, eventually stopping him in the middle of the fourth. What a fight this promises to be. I see Nick looking worse but Condit close to tears at the press conference. I think GSP will shit himself either way tho cause both guys are scrapers and as talented as he is we all know how he loves to play it safe.

by peet cassidy on Feb 1, 2012 3:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

I can see Condit wimning the first round and a half, maybe dropping Diaz a couple of times before Nick goes insane and puts a severe beating on him in one of the fastest paces fights ever to grace the octagon, eventually stopping him in the middle of the fourth. What a fight this promises to be. I see Nick looking worse but Condit close to tears at the press conference. I think GSP will shit himself either way tho cause both guys are scrapers and as talented as he is we all know how he loves to play it safe.

by peet cassidy on Feb 1, 2012 3:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

I can see Condit wimning the first round and a half, maybe dropping Diaz a couple of times before Nick goes insane and puts a severe beating on him in one of the fastest paces fights ever to grace the octagon, eventually stopping him in the middle of the fourth. What a fight this promises to be. I see Nick looking worse but Condit close to tears at the press conference. I think GSP will shit himself either way tho cause both guys are scrapers and as talented as he is we all know how he loves to play it safe.

by peet cassidy on Feb 1, 2012 3:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

please tell us

what you can see.

BECW S2: BUS FEEDERS PICK#73

by gspmademegay on Feb 1, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions  

Sorry

Can’t see it.

by bevedog on Feb 1, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions   2 recs

this is a masterpiece

A thousand years ago five minutes were
Equal to forty ounces of fine sand -- Nabokov

by mollcutpurse on Feb 1, 2012 4:39 PM EST up reply actions  

everyone, take notes

This is how you use a meme

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-Huey Freeman

by dgonz on Feb 1, 2012 4:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

You just won the internet...

The whole fucken thing

Don't be scared Gomi...

by ThatsHowIRoll on Feb 1, 2012 6:56 PM EST up reply actions  

Danke schoen.

"Computer being attacked by virus contracted from watching illegal japanese schoold girl porn. Bare with me." - Our Bovine Public

Captain of The Bus Feeders, Bloody Elbow Civil War, Season Two

by T.C. Engel on Feb 1, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions  

Condit wont let Diaz give him back his change

Greg jackson knows exactly how to approach this fight. He knows Diaz is great at applying steady pressure through his boxing. Therefore everyone should expect to see Condit controlling the points of engagement. Carlos will use tons of footwork to get the angles and opportunities that he wants. They wont let Nick get off 4 or 5 punches in a row. Carlos will strike then he will be gone then he will strike and be gone again. Just watch his last brief fight aginst Kim. His footwork was awesome and we can expect more of the same on Sat. One or 2 hard shots at a time delivered condit then sidesteps until he can find some bigger openings and signs of frustration form Diaz.

I'm straight. That means I like women.
Trainyard Sleepers: Our Foot Your Ass
I'm not afraid of you, internet.
Just try to learn from Rafa. He is the one from whom you should seek guidance.

by Hardy's in your face on Feb 1, 2012 3:13 PM EST reply actions  

Way easier said than done.

Also you have to factor in ego, Condit may want to just if he can stand with Diaz.

by jcbrewer on Feb 1, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions  

nope, he used the same tactic against Kim and that’s all Jackson has been focusing on in terms of strategy.

I'm straight. That means I like women.
Trainyard Sleepers: Our Foot Your Ass
I'm not afraid of you, internet.
Just try to learn from Rafa. He is the one from whom you should seek guidance.

by Hardy's in your face on Feb 1, 2012 3:17 PM EST up reply actions  

he’ll get sucked into some exchanges that might last longer than Jackson would like but I’m certain that they know exactly what they want to do in this fight. Lots of footwork lots of patience until there is an opening he wants. I dont know if they want to work in the clinch against diaz, probably not a bad idea but it’s not really a means to an end.

I'm straight. That means I like women.
Trainyard Sleepers: Our Foot Your Ass
I'm not afraid of you, internet.
Just try to learn from Rafa. He is the one from whom you should seek guidance.

by Hardy's in your face on Feb 1, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Jackson also trains Leonard Garcia

He can teach tactics all he wants, but once the guy is in the cage it’s all up to him.
What makes the Diaz bros so interesting is that they force their opponents to fight with emotion instead of reason.

by hatsofftous on Feb 1, 2012 5:53 PM EST up reply actions  

You watch WEC?

If you’ve been following Condit, you probably wouldn’t compare him to Leonard.

by cardioless on Feb 1, 2012 8:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Thats fairly spot on.

Condit is not a heavy, top control wrestler who can stifle Diaz’s groundwork, nor is he a takedown machine so they ways in which Nick was beaten repeatedly in his first UFC run won’t apply here. Condit’s chance of submitting Nick is also miniscule, and probably only possible if Condit rocks him with a strike first.

I see this as a stand up fight with some clinch work….or it may become a heavy clinch fight. In either case, for all of Diaz’s great great boxing, I’ve always though strikes up the middle would be Diaz’s downfall. If Condit can time uppercuts and front kicks properly, he can put Diaz down.

by Cocytus on Feb 1, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions  

You’re right. Condit has no choice but to do it on the feet and straight punches and kicks should be a big part of the attack and set ups. He just needs to do his 2 or 3 strike combo and get out. I think Carlos shows a lot of patience, so, if nick is taunting him then he’s doing it right.

I'm straight. That means I like women.
Trainyard Sleepers: Our Foot Your Ass
I'm not afraid of you, internet.
Just try to learn from Rafa. He is the one from whom you should seek guidance.

by Hardy's in your face on Feb 1, 2012 5:08 PM EST up reply actions  

So is MMAFighting finally COMPLETELY separated from AOL?

I would have a horseshoe surgically implanted in my ass just so Brock would pull it out and beat me over the head with it while I pleasure myself.

Please visit the
Daniel James Miller Foundation and donate.

by Machiel Van on Feb 1, 2012 3:30 PM EST reply actions  

As far as I can tell, yes.

"Computer being attacked by virus contracted from watching illegal japanese schoold girl porn. Bare with me." - Our Bovine Public

Captain of The Bus Feeders, Bloody Elbow Civil War, Season Two

by T.C. Engel on Feb 1, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Nobody can see how this fight could not be exciting, which usually means it’ll be the exact opposite of what we’re expecting.

by savik on Feb 1, 2012 4:41 PM EST reply actions  

Luke’s dead right here.

What I imagined:

"UFC is so gay, pride is awesome!"

by Hendo_One-Shot on Feb 1, 2012 5:50 PM EST reply actions  

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