Interview with Carlos Condit 2006

KMA-First of all Carlos congratulations on your huge submission victory over Frank Trigg.   You have just catapulted yourself to the top 10 of most people's top 170 lbs. fighters list.  Take us through your fight with Trigg.      

Carlos-I came out and tried to land some hands and Frank went underneath for the quick

Takedown. When I found myself on my back I started to climb with my legs and work

My strikes from the bottom . Frank stood up and began to throw strikes but ended up in

My guard again. I kept working a high guard and as he pulled out of an armbar attempt

I locked in a triangle armbar for the tap.

KMA-Trigg is not an easy fighter to submit,  he has fallen for the rear naked choke but not many fighters have been able to submit him from the guard,  these people include submission specialist like Charuto, Dennis Hallman,  and Sakurai.  this speaks volumes to your all around skills.  Have you been focusing on your submissions more?

Carlos-I’ve been doing submission since I was 15. About 50% of my wins are by tap out.

Grappling has always been a big part of my game.

KMAYou had a tough fight with Jake Shields where he used his grappling to neutralize your striking.  How does Jake rank in your opinion to the top 170 pound fighters in the world?

Carlos-Jake is a top notch fighter. He is top 10 material for sure.

KMA-In hindsight is there anything you think you could have done
differently that would have changed the outcome of the fight?

Carlos-I would have thrown less leg kicks. As a kickboxer I value low kicks quite a bit,

But when you want to keep it standing against a wrestler its not a good idea to

Give him your legs. That may have bought me more time to land strikes.

KMA-Are you going to stay at 175 lbs. or are you going to go up or down in
weight?  Personally I can see you being successful in 3 weight
classes.

Carlos-170 is good for me. Also there is a 165lbs weight class in Japan that would be

     Ideal. But I’m young and I still  have time to grow.

      KMA-If you could fight any fighter who would it be and why?
   

Carlos-I would like to fight anyone who stands between me and my goals.

KMA-What are your next plans?

Carlos-I am fighting on the X2 Fight card in Oakland on June 3rd.