:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50447793/011_Carlos_Condit.0.jpg)
So if you haven't heard, there was a bit of a dust-up at the UFC 202 press conference this week. Conor McGregor showed up late, Nate Diaz walked out, and then they started throwing water bottles and energy drinks at each other across a crowded room.
In the aftermath, both Diaz and McGregor are facing fines and, as is always the case when something newsworthy happens, fighters are weighing in on the incident. Among these fighters was former UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit. Condit is no stranger to the antics of the Diaz brothers, having fought Nick for the interim belt back in 2012, and when asked about the incident while talking with Steve Cofield and RJ Clifford on their radio show SiriusXM Rush Fight Club, Condit had this to say:
"Honestly man, it wasn't a good look. I thought it was childish. I think a fist fight would've been better than throwing a bunch of water bottles at each other. I think that would be a bit more classy in my opinion... I think that for years we've been trying to change public perception of the sport, and I don't think this incident did much to help that."
For years the sport of MMA was an outsider sport trying desperately to shed the "human cockfighting" label unceremoniously bestowed upon it; and though MMA is now truly mainstream, lingering concerns over the perception remain among the community.
Condit goes on to say that the antics aren't just bad for the community, they're bad for Conor McGregor, who appeared very emotional after the brouhaha, which is exactly what Nate wants.
"Both Nick and Nate definitely like to try and get in your head, try and get you to fight emotionally. When you see guys that kind of disconnect and don't play into that game, they do very well against them. But when you get guys like- for instance, when Donald Cerrone fought Nate he was all riled up. He was pissed. Nate had him going and he went out there and fought like shit. I think there's something to be said for that. Conor's a proud guy and he's not disconnecting like I said. I don't think that's a smart way to go into this fight against Nate.
"Who knows how much is real and how much is just for show? If I was in his camp, I'd tell him to just let them do their thing. But on the other side of it, he's great at getting into other people's heads. It's two guys that kind of play that game so I doubt that he's going to step back his rhetoric or his antics because that's who he is."
Condit's fight against Nick Diaz substantiates his claims. In that fight, despite the antics and trash talk of Diaz, Condit held fast to his game plan and earned a decision victory and the interim title. Whether McGregor can do the same is yet to be seen.
On the topic of Nick Diaz, Condit also opined about the welterweight champion Tyron Woodley's refusal to fight Stephen Thompson and instead calling out Nick Diaz and Georges St-Pierre. Woodley has received a tremendous amount of flack from the MMA community adopting the "money fight" approach that is en vogue, something Condit thinks isn't fair.
"I don't blame Woodley. I myself waited for Georges St-Pierre to come back to take that fight rather than take another fight, for a similar reason. We have a short self life in this sport. It goes by quick and we've got to get what we can get so I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing for these guys to be looking for money fights."
Condit has always been very cognizant of long-term effects of the sport of MMA and was flirting with retirement after his loss to Robbie Lawler earlier this year. At the time he said he would only return to fight if it was a rematch for the title. Utlimately though, Condit came back and is fighting Demian Maia next weekend, a decision he explained to Cofield and Clifford.
"A win over Maia puts me right back in title contention, especially with the performance that I know I'm going to put on against Maia, gets me a title shot. I think that I have one last run in me before I'm ready to ride off into the sunset."
Carlos Condit fights Demian Maia on August 27, in the main event of UFC on Fox 21.
MUST-READ STORIES
Affliction. The entourages of Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz have both been banned from UFC 202 pre-fight events.
Sending a message. Dana White says McGregor and Diaz could both be facing "massive" fines for 202 presser incident.
Preach. Nate Diaz says he is making "less than I deserve" for UFC 202.
Cockroaches. Conor McGregor goes off on Nate Diaz and his team after Diaz walkout.
Fighter pay. Tim Means says he lost $200,000 as a result of his overturned drug test failure.
EXTRA CREDIT READING
This. 100x this. Greg Savage of Sherdog argues why MMA in the Olympics sounds much better than it actually is.
MEDIA STEW
The boys still going strong in Vegas.
Embedded 5.
Magny vs. Lombard.
Larkin vs. Ponzi.
Conor seems like he is done with media. This interview isn't even close to his usual stuff.
The Menace on 202
LISTEN UP
Bushido
TFATK
TWEETS
But the Joker had a plan...
I don't think the Diaz Bros. really "plan" things. Like the Joker, they are agents of chaos. #ufc202https://t.co/tOeO7zE9A9
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) August 18, 2016
Brutalizer.
I already have mine. Get your fighter nickname at https://t.co/AwATcxFQuS pic.twitter.com/TF1TOD1xMw
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 18, 2016
Is it necessary?
Annoying or not, what USADA is doing is necessary and long overdue.https://t.co/IrNMQK5gkK
— michael (@bisping) August 18, 2016
What about Cialis? I admit to being uninformed on drug policy.
Can't wait to hear this. No supplement is tainted with both Femara (prescription chemo drug) & Clomid (fertility).https://t.co/VzeRw4ZA2c
— Amy Dardashtian (@AmyDardashtian) August 18, 2016
Seriously. Just bring her into the f**king UFC already. Not doing so is ridiculous. If she was "hot" they'd have built her a division years ago.
Build it and they will come!! Let me be a head coach on the next season of the @ultimatefighter and lets...https://t.co/G9W6wv0m0d
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) August 18, 2016
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) August 18, 2016
And she did it by beating a legend. Amazing upset.
Garbrandt goes after a fan in the comments who says he's biting Conor's suit game.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Derrick Lewis (16-4-0, 1 NC) vs. Marcin Tybura (14-2-0); UFC Fight Night 97, October 15.
A.J. McKee (4-0-0) vs. Cody Walker (8-4-0); Bellator 160, August 26.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2010: Cole Konrad began his road to the Bellator heavyweight title, beating Roger Llorent in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Season Three heavyweight tournament.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We did it, mama. It's finally here. UFC 202. And it's coming with a little bit of extra heat on it. The fake weigh-ins later today should be something. Keep a look out for my gambling and fight analysis column coming later today and, if any of you care, I'll be going on the Baseball, Beer & BBQ show on iHeartRadio Saturday at 10:30 to talk about UFC 202 so check that out as well.
The weekend is finally here. Hope everyone has a fantastic one, and I'll see you on the other side.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.
Get the latest gear
