Condit: Maybe my time has passed

On February 4, 2012, Carlos Condit became the interim champion of the world. He has gone 2-7 since, and is on a four-fight losing streak since getting submitted Saturday night by Alex Oliveira in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 29. It looks on paper like it’s time to retire.

However, the picture is more complex. Condit is just 33 and has never been knocked out or stopped via strikes. His post-title losses began with Georges St-Pierre, Johny Hendricks, Tyron Woodley, and Robbie Lawler. Losing to them doesn’t mean you are done. And he lost to Lawler for the title just by split decision.

The fighter took to his social network and expressed himself movingly.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhqJTQvjzOI

“Post choke out, where the f*** am I, WTF happened, feeling kinda warm and fuzzy, hope I didn’t just piss my shorts on live TV, thousand yard stare,” he began on Instagram. “I’ve posted plenty of pictures looking like a Badass. Triumphant and powerful… But here’s the flip side, crumpled and weak in defeat. Rough day at the office.

“F*** it though, I had fun. I trained my ass off and I came to fight. This is what leaving it all out there looked like on Saturday. Much respect to my opponent and his team. Thank you for taking the fight on short notice. Congratulations and best of luck in the future.

“I don’t know what’s next guys… I still love this game, and most days I still feel that fire, I absolutely love what I do, but maybe my time has passed. I don’t know the answer. This is what I know, this is my passion. I will never stop training, and if that leads me back to the Octagon, you know I’ll try to make it bloody for ya.

“Right now I’m looking forward to summer shenanigans with my sons and to expanding Hundred Hands Coffee.”

As the pain of the loss passes, Condit’s desire to return will likely grow. Maybe his time has passed, but probably it hasn’t.