Most expected a bloody battle between Carlos Condit and Alex Oliveira at UFC Glendale. Few, however, would have predicted how the fight played out.
When Carlos Condit returned late last year at UFC 219, fans rejoiced. ‘The Natural Born Killer’ has always been a fan favorite. A maestro of violence in the cage. Then Condit vs. Neil Magny happened. It was a listless, meandering bout that saw the popular striker ground down to a unanimous decision loss. Not the return fans were hoping for. Yet at UFC Glendale (UFC on FOX 29) on Saturday, there was hope in the air as Condit was facing striker Alex Oliveira.
Of course, it wasn’t the bout against Matt Brown that was promised (Brown was forced out due to injury). But at the Gila River Arena on Saturday in Glendale, AZ, the co-main event looked promising.
It was Cowboy Oliveira opening with a kick, something Carlos Condit soon answered, to get things going. Condit looked to launch a jumping knee, but pulled up and had to contend with a counter right. The pair then wound up in a clinch, with Oliveira scoring a big takedown. Oliveira stayed heavy, then drove Condit into the fence, stacking him up. That, however, allowed Condit to escape and get on top, but Oliveira looked for a submission. As did Condit, but he let go, and looked to land some ground and pound. Oliveira then gave up his back, with Confit taking a few stabs at a rear-naked choke. Oliveira would survive to the bell, however, sending things to the second.
Round two saw Condit dumped on his back but threatening with upkicks. Despite the promise of a standup war, it was clear Oliveira’s game plan was heavy on the grappling. Trying to work his way up, Condit ate some huge elbows, that opened up a nasty gash on the side of his head, but he scored a takedown of his own, and began working in some ground and pound. However, after pulling back to land some shots from above, he ate a nasty upkick, snapping his head to the side. Condit fell forward, almost limp. Oliveira then caught him in a guillotine. Somehow, Condit didn’t go out! However, bleeding badly and trapped underneath Oliveira, who refused to let go, Condit was forced to tap.
Alex Oliveira def. Carlos Condit by submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 3:17
