The forces that be have prolonged the mixed martial arts (MMA) masses of witnessing an explosive 170-pound Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) showdown.
Welterweight king Robbie Lawler withdrew from his UFC 193 title fight in November against former interim champion Carlos Condit because of a thumb injury. A women's Bantamweight championship fight takes headlining duties as Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm -- previously scheduled for UFC 195 on Jan. 2, 2016 -- has been moved to Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
"It's honestly disappointing, but this is something that I've been through before. It's really just the nature of the sport," Condit told AXS TV.
"Natural Born Killer" was awarded the No. 1 contender spot (much to the dismay of this fighter) after his second-round dismissal of Thiago Alves at UFC Fight Night 67 back in May. It was Condit's first fight back in the Octagon in over 14 months after he was sidelined for much of 2014 with a torn ACL and partially torn MCL.
"Ruthless" is coming off of an incredible fifth-round, technical knockout stoppage of the inhuman Rory MacDonald (see pics of the aftermath here and here) at UFC 189 back in July and was readying for what could have been his second-consecutive title defense.
UFC and Lawler's American Top Team camp have not divulged a timeline on when they plan on having their star ready and able to compete, nor has the former given the Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA representative any inkling as to whether he will stay on the UFC 193 card and fight another opponent.
"We don't really have a timeline at this point on his return," said Condit. "We'll see if it's plausible for that to be next fight. If he heals up in a decent amount of time, then yeah of course I'd like to fight him. I was really excited for that matchup."
There's at least one Welterweight who is looking for a fight with Condit, who also has his eyes set on this important rematch, if that's the route he's looking to go.
In the meantime, former Condit and Lawler foe Johny Hendricks will tangle with Tyron Woodley in a fight that will undoubtedly produce the next 170-pound No. 1 contender at UFC 192 in October and you can bet with the way title shots are reneged, that Condit is on red alert after the Lawler injury.
It's not like Condit wouldn't understand -- he was awarded the title shot after one was previously granted to Hendricks.
Still, there's no point in worrying about a situation that's out of your control, which Condit completely understands.
"I just need to stay in-shape; not in-case of an opportunity, but for my sanity. Training is my therapy," Condit said.
If he chose to take a fight, while Lawler rehabs, he could have his pick of the litter with men like Hendricks, Woodley, Thiago Alves, Benson Henderson, Matt Brown and Kelvin Gastelum all booked in the coming months.
For the full UFC 193: "Rousey vs. Holm" fight card click here.
Get the latest gear
