UFC News: Carlos Condit considers retirement after loss to Robbie Lawler

Carlos Condit admitted he is considering retirement from UFC after suffering a close loss against welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 195 in Las Vegas.

Condit impressed in his title shot at MGM Grand Arena but fell short to take off the welterweight straps from Lawler, who has established himself as one of the UFC’s most entertaining brawlers. Condit admitted it was a “do-or-die” move for his professional career, insisting that his next step has always depended if he would win a title.

“If I got that strap, I was going to keep fighting,” Condit said, reports the Los Angeles Times. “If I didn’t – like I didn’t – I have to see if I can continue to do this.”

Condit loss to Lawler via split decision with two judges awarding the latter a 48-47 score. The “Natural Born Killer” quickly got a nod for a rematch from Lawler the moment the welterweight champ heard the scores.

However, Tyson Woodley, who has been promised by UFC president Dana White a title shot prior to UFC 195, could be next in line, reports Bloody Elbow. Moreover, Condit’s career uncertainty clouds another potential classic match against the “Ruthless.”

Lawler, who has possibly earned his second Fight of the Year match this year, admitted he had to “dig deep” to fend off Condit in the fifth round and edge him to retain the welterweight title belt. Lawler said he wanted to go for a stoppage, but Condit was too clever and sharp in their match.

“I did all I could to get the victory,” Lawler said. “It’s all about getting better and pressing to become a better champion than I am today.”

Meanwhile, the co-main event card between heavyweights Stipe Miocic and Andrei Arlovski was the complete opposite of how Condit vs Lawler went. Miocic only needed 54 seconds to dispatch Arlovski, boosting his chance for a title shot against the winner of Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez at UFC 196.