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ufc 195:

Carlos Condit may retire despite promise of Robbie Lawler rematch after UFC 195

Close third-round enables champion to retain belt

The UFC 195 Fights at MGM

L.E. Baskow

Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit come together in celebration after a phenomenal battle during their UFC 195 fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, January 2, 2016.

UFC 195 at MGM Grand

Women's Strawweight Nina Ansaroff takes a shot to the chin from Justine Kish during their UFC 195 fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, January 2, 2016. Launch slideshow »

The two black eyes capping the trail of bruises and swells down Carlos Condit’s face failed to conceal his emotions.

There was no hiding his devastation and disbelief after losing a welterweight title fight against Robbie Lawler via split decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48) in the main event of UFC 195 on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“Tonight was kind of a do-or-die moment for my career, I feel like,” Condit said. “I was all in. If I got that strap, I was going to keep fighting. I didn’t. I have to see if I can continue to do this.”

A rematch was at the front of everyone’s minds after the two fighters put on one of the closest and most action-packed fights in the history of the 170-pound division.

UFC President Dana White expressed interest. Lawler immediately offered Condit the opportunity in his first words after he'd retained the belt. But Condit, the 31-year-old former interim welterweight champion, couldn’t commit to anything.

“There’s a possibility that might be my last one,” he insisted.

If Condit indeed retires, he will go out as close to on top as any fighter could possibly be without holding a championship. He outstruck Lawler 176-92 and controlled the majority of the 33-year-old champion’s second title defense.

The packed crowd at the annual New Year’s weekend card immersed Condit in a standing ovation after he survived a vicious attack from Lawler in the final two minutes of the fight. Condit, along with most media including the Sun scoring the bout cageside, believed he had held on for the crowning achievement of his career.

“It was close, though,” Condit said. “It didn’t go my way tonight, but I left it all in there and fought my ass off. I’m disappointed but proud of my performance.”

Condit’s best stretch came right before Lawler uncorked his power-punching prowess to end the fight. Condit dominated the fourth round, consistently putting Lawler on the defensive with a combination of knees, kicks and punches.

At the time, it was the clearest frame since the first round, when Condit frustrated Lawler by keeping him at a distance. Condit also found success in the second round but suffered the fight’s only knockdown when Lawler connected with a left hand.

The whole decision hinged on the third round, in which Condit landed 11 more strikes but Lawler seemed to hit with more power. Lawler was unbothered that so many, including White, thought two of the three judges erred in awarding the third to Condit.

“I’m not trying to defend anything,” Lawler said. “I laid it all out there. I did all I could to win, and I got the victory. It’s all about getting better and moving forward.”

Lawler doesn’t foresee any injuries halting his return to the octagon, as he said he was banged up but suffered nothing serious in the victory. Condit reported a broken toe but was otherwise healthy, considering the circumstances.

Although he initially spoke of a preference to fight Condit again, Lawler backed off that statement at the post-fight news conference.

“I don’t really play those games,” Lawler said. “We’ll talk to Dana and figure things out. (The media) can play those games.”

Lawler has so many fighters waiting for a rematch, he might want to start distributing numbers like a deli attendant. He has unsettled business with Johny Hendricks after the two split a pair of closely contested championship fights in 2014.

Perhaps one of the only fights in UFC history better than Saturday’s was Lawler’s win over Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 last summer. Lawler’s fifth-round TKO victory was the consensus Fight of the Year and had many calling for a trilogy meeting with MacDonald.

But the recency will keep a Condit bout as the one in highest demand for the time being — if it’s even possible.

“These two were just in a five-round absolute war,” White emphasized. “Let’s see how they feel in a couple days.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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