Condit vs. Hendricks

This is the official discussion thread for Condit vs. Hendricks. Let's see what you've got.

Agree with Anik.  Incisive thinking, but I think MacDonald wins the fight with Condit.  I want to see Hendricks fight for the title because he earned it, regardless of how his fight with Condit goes.  Condit doesn't deserve another fight so soon because he has not changed and would lose again.  GSP has to fight somebody.

@Ben,

Style make fights my friend. I personally think GSP would smash Hendrick, however there are thiose that don't believe this. And jusgt because they may think Condit beats hendricks, does not then mean they don't believe Hendricks can beat GSP.  GSP style is very different from condit. They may think Hendrick power and TDD can win him a fight against GSP but not necessarily Condit.

***** TD over a vicious headkick?

****. After that round GSP's face was all ****** up. 

@DelRose, check the stats brother, I promise you that a ****load more MMA fights have been won with "***** TDs" (and what usually follows them) than head kicks (heck, even that head kick you're talking about didn't win the fight, it was the only shining moment in a fight in which he was dominated ... via a multitude of "***** TDs").

That being said, even with Hendricks' wrestling accolades, I don't think Hendricks' takedowns are even close to GSPs in an MMA fight, since his setups and ability to close distance aren't even close.

I think Condit's got good enough TDD to deal with Hendricks and even if it goes down, Hendricks' doesn't have GSP top control and Condit's guard is a very active one.

So what? Hendricks "deserves" a title fight even though he couldn't beat a lot of welterweight contenders? Gtfo.

The pattern for Hendricks is close decision, knockout, close decision, knockout, close decision, ect.... He just won by knockout, odds are Condit survives the initial first round bomb and takes the decision. ;) I could definitely see Hendricks flattening him though.

I'm thinking the smart pick I confit by decision 

Condit by Split Decision. Jake Ellenberger has knockout power like Hendricks but is more explosive, and Condit managed to survive and defeat Ellenberger even though Condit got dropped a couple times in the first round. If Condit plays the cards right and avoids Hendricks' left hand, then Condit should be able to take the decision

Got to do a 10-Point Breakdown for this fight. Haven't done one in a while!!!!

1. Mental Edge/Confidence/Gameplan - Right off the bat, I have to call this area just about dead even. Both fighters are respectful, so trash talking is out the water, and I don't think that either fighter is in the other's head in any way, shape, or form. The worst you'll here from both of these fighters is that they respect the other, and that they are confident they will be the winner. Condit is coming off of a very hard fought loss to current UFC kingpin GSP, but if you're going to lose to somebody, it might as well be the greatest UFC WW Champion of all time. Hendricks is riding a 5-fight win streak with 3 coming by devastating 1st round KO. Condit has gone 13-2 in his last 15 fights with 5 KO/TKOs and 5 submissions. When it comes to gameplan, Condit trains with Greg Jackson, so you know that they will have a great gameplan coming into this fight. Hendricks has had a tendency to rely on his punching power, but for the last 5 fights, it has served him well. On a side note, these two were on a path to meet one another in the WEC, but before it could happen ZUFFA dissolved the WEC WW division. So for us WEC fans, this is a fight that has been a long time in the making. With all that said, like I said before, I'm calling this area even. Condit = 9/10, Hendricks 9/10

2. Experience/Level Of Opposition - I think it's safe to say with 34 fights, being the former WEC WW Champion, and facing GSP, this is all advantage Condit here. Hendricks has faced some great opposition, but he only has half of the experience that Condit has. Condit = 10/10, Hendricks = 8/10

3. Heart/Determination To Win - This area is so tough to call. Who really has overcome adversity, pushed through, and did everything that they had to win the fight? I've seen it in the past from both fighters. I look for your feedback on this, because as of now, I'm calling it even. Condit = 9/10, Hendricks = 9/10

4. Stamina/Cardio - This is a 3 round fight, and both fighters can go 3 round with no problems, but I honestly think that Condit has a little bit better cardio than Hendricks. The longer this fight goes on, the more it plays into Condit's hands. Condit = 10/10, Hendricks = 9/10

5. Endurance/Toughness - Who takes the better punch? Who cuts and bruises easier? I've seen both fighters take a ton of damage, and still be able fight effectively. I'm calling this one even. Condit = 10/10, Hendricks = 10/10

6. Overall Striking - Big punching power vs. technique and versatility. Both fighters have ended fights on the feet in dominating fashion. Punching power goes in Hendricks favor, but technique and versatility go in Condit's favor. I can see either fighter winning this one by KO/TKO, so I'm calling this one even as well. Condit = 10/10, Hendricks = 10/10

7. Overall Wrestling/Grappling - This is where I think that Hendricks is strongest in this fight, and where I think that Condit is weakest. Hendricks is not the best wrestler at 170, but he does bring a great wrestling pedigree to the table. Condit has improved in this department, but the GSP fight showed that he still has to make improvements and adjustments in this area. Condit = 8/10, Hendricks = 9/10

8. Overall Submissions/BJJ - Condit has 13 submissions over the course of his career, Hendricks has only 1 in 15 fights. I think it's safe to say that Condit would be more likely to win by submission in this fight, and has the better BJJ pedigree. Condit = 10/10, Hendricks = 8/10

9. Strength/Size - I don't think that either fighter is necessarily a large WW, but Hendricks does possess a ton of power. Condit has the height and the range, but I don't think that he is the bigger of the two fighters. I give the Hendricks the edge here. Condit = 8/10, Hendricks = 9/10

10. Speed/Athleticism = Niether fighter is devastatingly quick, but both are proficient in this area. I think that Condit is the quicker more mobile of the two with better dexterity. Condit = 9/10, Hendricks = 8/10

Overall Score - Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit = 93/100, Johnny "Big Rig" Hendricks = 89/100

After this fight, which I believe Carlos Condit will win, it will set up some interesting matches for the summer.

This summer, I believe the UFC will not give Condit a rematch so soon, and prefer to give the title shot to Johny Hendricks.  Which will be a popular choice.

So, this summer, I think we can hopefully look forward to GSP vs. Hendricks, Condit vs. MacDonald, Ellenberger vs. Maia, Diaz vs. Koscheck, Erick Silva vs. Siyar Bahadurzada, Nate Marquardt vs. Martin Kampmann, Shields vs. Woodley (June 15, 2013).

Wish this was a five-rounder, but I still think Condit has a slight edge in the match-up. Hendricks has got two ways to win in this fight: he can put Condit out with a left cross or he can win a close Split ala Koscheck/Hendricks by getting top position in rounds 2 and 3. 

I see Hendricks doing some early damage before Condit turns the tide. I think the new, improved Condit turns the tide earlier than his 2008-10 self, resulting in a Decision win for him. In a five-rounder, he gets a fourth or fifth-round stoppage.

Awesome breakdown Jaykool, I don't always agree but I always read and appreciate them. 

After the 1st round when Hendricks realizes he's not going to KO Condit he will break mentally and lose the last 2 rounds. Condit will fight Hendricks similar to how he fought Diaz.

I hope Hendricks is not neglecting his other skills.  People should train like GSP.  Hone ALL their tools.  GSP sharpens his TDs, wrestling, jabs, mobility, etc.

The worst mistake possible is not training all-around.

I think if he uses his wrestling in this fight he could easily get a decision win, but he doesn't use his wrestling much anymore. We will see if his fight IQ will show up for this one.

If Johny is smart he'll do exactly what GSP did. Use his wrestling to win the fight.

Hendricks will find Condit's 5-inch size advantage too much for him.