“It was never a question of whether or not I still had it in me. The question was whether or not my heart would be in it going forward, and the answer is that I just love to do this shit, man. That night [UFC 195] was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Going through the battle and just trembling because of the adrenaline running through my body. Being in pain. That’s f***ing being alive, man. It’s a crazy thing to go through something like that, and it’s something most people wouldn’t want anything to do with, but that is what I’m addicted to. I’m addicted to that feeling. And pushing myself beyond where I thought possible because fighting is a crazy thing. Before these fights, everything in your body freaks out like it’s saying, ‘No….don’t do this,’ but you still make that walk and do it. Going through those things and coming out on the other side, no matter how the fight turns out, is a win.”
-Carlos Condit talks to Duane Finley at FloCombat.com about why he’s back at UFC on Fox 21 following his epic title bout with Robbie Lawler in January.
Penick’s Analysis: There’s a level of insanity to being a professional fighter, something that these athletes have in them to get in that cage to take and deliver brutality. For someone with the style Condit’s always had it lends itself to an even greater risk of damage, simply because he’s crazy enough to take what his opponents can dish out in order to do what he does. Even for the pros, not everyone has it in them to fight that style, to be willing to get hit the way Condit’s been hit throughout his career. It makes him someone you simply have to watch, and it’s why he remains a perennial contender at the top of this welterweight division. He’s rightfully thinking about his future health in questioning whether he can continue, but so long as he’s not getting hurt too badly, he’ll be gladly welcomed back into that Octagon time and time again.
[Photo (c) Joshua Dahl via USA Today Sports]
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As a former pro fighter myself ( boxing ), I totally agree with Condit. One has to have a bit of a masochistic side to them to compete in fight sports.