Carlos Condit defends Greg Jackson, says he will win and entertain
Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit knows he could not match the trash-talking abilities of his British opponent, Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy, but he feels confident going into their fight
at UFC 120.
Hardy has been vocal in interviews and always expresses that Condit does not have enough skills in any phase of the sport to beat him. The British fighter never fails to criticize Condit's
camp—Greg Jackson Submission Fighting—of always sticking to "safe" game plans. Although Condit remains relatively quiet amidst the Brit's tirades, the American refutes the accusations towards his current coach. He says that Jackson's reputation of making conservative
strategies is nothing but a misconception.
"Just because that's the perception, doesn't mean that's the reality," Condit said of Jackson's highly effective game plans. "Greg has always coached guys that, for the most part, go out
and finish fights.
The former WEC welterweight champion is actually right about Jackson coaching fighters that are definitely finishers or at least guys that seem to take risks inside the cage. Best examples
of such fighters are Shane Carwin, Jon Jones, and Roger Huerta. But it was the first TUF winner, Diego Sanchez, that starred Condit's arguments. He suggested that aggression has always been part of Jackson's fight schemes.
"For example, Diego Sanchez," Condit said. "In his early career, was the human chainsaw. He would just go in there and have more aggression than you would believe, and that's basically Greg
Jackson's prodigy."
"I think [Jackson's system as being safe] is just a misconception."
Hardy, however, believes that Jackson's attempt of improving "The natural-born killer" as a better overall fighter is futile. The Outlaw claims that wherever the fight goes, he has the American
beat. Amused by these declarations, Condit believes that these are just some of the things that Hardy needs to tell himself to get pumped before the fight.
"I think [Dan Hardy] is in for a rude awakening," Condit said with confidence.
Condit holds Jackson's camp in high regard and asserts that Georges St-Pierre did not become a dominant champion by physical gifts alone. He strongly considers that Greg's guidance and methods
gave St-Pierre the tremendous edge. It's the ground aspect of the fight game, particularly wrestling and ground-and-pound, that Condit wants to improve and he seems happy with his progress.
"My technical ground game, I think, has definitely benefited," Condit shared. "I think my ground and pound has definitely become more dangerous and a much more effective tool. But probably
my overall game plan [has benefited the most], by being more strategic in my fights."
It seems that Condit was hinting that he will take things on the ground. But he immediately recovered by saying that he's going to need all the skills he has learned from camp to win the
fight.
"Dan Hardy's a very, very tough opponent – obviously," Condit said. "I definitely plan on incorporating that, but I'm gonna bring my stand-up to the table too. I'm gonna bring my wrestling,
my submissions. I'm gonna need it all."
It still won't be surprising to see Condit trying to pull another GSP against Hardy. Needless to say, the strategy seemed flawless. Against the hard-hitting Briton, it was the smartest thing
to do and it will still likely hold true at UFC 120. For certain, Jackson has been training his fighter to execute that proven strategy. Although amenable of the plan, Condit is adamant that he will come to fight and entertain the paying spectators.
"[Getting the fight onto the ground] is the obvious strategical choice," Condit agrees. "But I also want to make it an exciting fight. I'm about entertaining the fans as much as I'm about
winning the fight."
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