Neil Magny stifled the offense of the returning Carlos Condit to kick off the UFC 219 main card.
Neil Magny entered the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter and had an incredible seven-fight run after dropping two of his first three UFC bouts. Magny’s streak was stopped by a Demian Maia submission, but he was able to bounce back with three straight victories. Since then, he’s lost two of his last three.
After 22 months on the shelf, Carlos Condit returns to the Octagon at UFC 219. Condit returned from a knee injury in 2015 with a very strong performance against Thiago Alves that earned him a title shot. The matchup with Robbie Lawler was very memorable and many believe the wrong man left with the belt following Lawler’s controversial split decision victory. Following a quick loss to Demian Maia, Condit flirted with retirement for the past year before deciding to strap the gloves on once again at UFC 219.
Carlos Condit opened up the striking with a leg kick followed by a missed combination. Neil Magny was still attempting to find his range when he caught a kick and swept Condit to the ground. Condit went for a leg in response, but Magny defended well and ended up in guard. Condit stood up but was thrown down by Magny again. Condit bounced back up almost immediately once again.
Magny was strong in the clinch, landing consistent shoulder strikes until Condit reversed position. Condit landed a leg kick on the exit and Magny responded with a quick combination. Again, Condit landed a leg kick that was answered by a straight punch by Magny.
Magny landed a push kick then a jab to the body, then Condit responded with a combination that pushed Magny to the fence. Condit ate a long punch by Magny then landed a solid combination that ended with a leg kick. Carlos Condit ended the round with a spinning back kick to the body, then a backfist.
Carlos Condit opened up the second frame with a combination stamped by a body kick. Magny caught a kick from Condit and pushed him out of range, but Condit re-entered with a two-strike combination. Magny caught another kick and clinched up, landing a knee then driving Condit to the fence.
Magny was able to throw Condit down, and immediately Condit began working for a leg submission. Magny avoided that and retained top position, but Condit was up soon after through working a kimura. Condit landed a combination once the fight returned to the feet, then pushed Magny to the cage with a combination. However, Magny took advantage and threw Condit down three times to end the round.
Condit attempted to be the aggressor to start the final round, but Magny was thwarting his efforts sufficiently. Condit landed a two-punch combination, but Magny landed a long straight. Magny caught another kick and forced a clinch that Condit got out of with a kimura. Magny did catch him on the exit with a straight however.
Condit fired a leg kick followed by a five-punch combination, then a clean superman punch landed for the former interim champion. Another kick was caught by Magny, and a clinch battle ensued. That was all Magny needed, as he took Condit down and that was that. Condit squirmed for a submission effort but Magny stifled all attacks for the remaining minute.
Neil Magny def. Carlos Condit by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
