UFC 143: Condit beats Diaz and wins interim belt

Carlos Condit (photo) wins Nick Diaz and wins interim UFC belt. Photo: Josh Hedges

the controversial Nick Diaz provoked, gestured and even started the duel well, but the one who could celebrate at the end was Carlos Condit. The North American overcame his compatriot in the judges' unanimous decision in the main fight of UFC 143, an event held this Saturday (4), in Las Vegas and won the interim welterweight belt.

In addition to the title fight, UFC 143 brought three Brazilians into action, and they all left the octagon with victories. Rafael Sapo defeated Michael Kuiper, Renan Barao beat Scott Jorgensen and Fabricio Werdum made his debut in the organization with a triumph over Roy Nelson.

Condit overcomes provocations and takes interim belt
If the fight between Diaz and Condit was surrounded by respect and thoughtful statements before the duel, the friendly atmosphere ended with the referee's instructions before the fight started. The fighters went all out for the traditional face-off and had to be secured by the event's security team.

When the fight began, Nick took the initiative and with his aggressive boxing scored points over a scared Condit. However, from the second round onwards, Carlos gained confidence, entered the fight and began to unleash his game. In turn, Diaz gave up fighting and just started provocation, lowering his guard and even slapping his opponent, who seemed unaffected by his actions.

In the last round, willing to finish the fight, Nick managed to take the fight to the ground and even managed to get behind his opponent's back, but Carlos defended himself well and avoided the submission. After five rounds, the three side judges gave the victory to Carlos Condit (48×47, 49×46, 49×46).

With the triumph, Carlos Condit, who is a former WEC champion, is accredited to unify the UFC titles in the welterweight category against the Canadian Georges St Pierre, who is out of action due to a serious knee injury.

Werdum returns to the UFC with victory over Roy Nelson
Fabricio Werdum returned to the UFC this Saturday, after three years in Strikeforce, in style. In the face of hard Roy Nelson, the Brazilian took advantage of his greater wingspan to control the distance, dominate the back of his opponent's head and land good knees.

The black belt from Rio Grande do Sul still managed to take down Nelson, get to his back and almost finish the fight. But the North American, who had a deep cut on his face, managed to stay in the fight until the end of the third round. At the end of the regulatory 15 minutes, victory for Fabricio Werdum in the unanimous decision of the judges (30x,27, 30×27, 30×27).

“I knew that the Roy Nelson he was a tough guy. I trained my knees and kicks a lot and luckily it worked”, said the Brazilian still in the octagon.

Koscheck beats Pierce in split decision
After many provocations before the fight, Josh koscheck and Mike Pierce settled the differences this Saturday night at UFC 143. In a very tactical and balanced duel, the fighters didn't take too many risks and exchanged positions in the clinch to take down their opponent. After a slight superiority in the opening round, Kosheck was knocked down in the second round, but managed to get up quickly. With the dispute open, the third round was decisive, and Josh managed to connect some blows, take down Mike and take the victory in the judges' split decision (29×28, 28×29, 29×28)

Renan Barao beats Scott Jorgensen and asks for belt
The Potiguar Renan Barao entered the octagon this Saturday to face American Scott Jorgensen, but with his eye on another challenge: the UFC belt. Facing the biggest opponent of his career, the Brazilian fought a cautious fight, using combinations of punches and low kicks well to score points and defend his opponent's takedown attempts well. In the last round, Jorgensen, going for it all or nothing, landed good right blows, but Renan managed to absorb them well and stay in the fight. In the end, victory Renan Barao in the unanimous decision of the judges.

When interviewed by Joe Rogan, still in the Octagon, Renan Barao didn't think twice and asked for the opportunity to fight for the bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz, current champion, and Urijah faber, which will face each other in the first half of this year.

“Dana White, I want the belt”, shouted the Brazilian, which was soon translated by the interpreter into English.

Rafael Sapo gets scared, but wins the decision
First Brazilian to take action, Rafael Sapo went through strong emotions in the octagon set up at the Mandalay Bay Center. The black belt from Minas Gerais started the fight against Michael Kuiper, taking down his opponent and controlling the fight well from the top. In the second round, the fight continued with striking, with Sapo gaining superiority. But in the third round came the great emotion. In the opening moments, Kuiper connected with a powerful right cross and Rafael was knocked down. From below, the Brazilian suffered from powerful punches on the ground. but managed to survive the duel and reverse the position. At home on the ground, Sapo arrived in mount and almost ended the contest with a katagatame. After 15 minutes, the side judges gave the victory to Rafael Sapo unanimously (30×27, 29×28, 30×27)

 Check out the complete UFC 143 results below:

Main Card

Carlos Condit derrotou Nick Diaz in the unanimous decision of the judges;

Fabricio Werdum derrotou Roy Nelson in the unanimous decision of the judges;

Josh koscheck defeated Mike Pierce via split decision;

Renan Barao defeated Scott Jorgensen via unanimous decision;

Ed Herman submitted Clifford Starks with a rear naked choke in R2;

Preliminary Card

Dustin poirier finished Max Holloway with a triangle on R1;

Matt Riddle defeated Jorge Lopez via split decision;

Edwin Figueroa defeated Alex Caceres in the judges' split decision;

Matt Brown defeated Chris Cope via TKO in R2;

Stephen Thompson defeated Dan Stittgen by knockout in R1;

Rafael “Sapo” Natal defeated Michael Kuiper via unanimous decision.