Issue 090
July 2012
FO shares the secrets of the interim UFC welterweight champion – the first man to defeat former Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz in five years, and the only fighter to ever knock out British striker Dan Hardy.
RIGHT KNEE
Interim UFC welterweight champion Carlos Condit is an expert at knees from the clinch and especially his jump knee technique.
IN THE GYM
Working jump and scissor knees has crossover to other techniques, aiding the development of explosive power for wrestling as well as striking. Start with the target pad low, and work up to higher heights.
IN ACTION
It was Condit's jump knee that knocked out Dong Hyun Kim inside three minutes of round one at UFC 132 in July 2011.
CONDITIONING
Superb conditioning is part of what has fueled Carlos Condit’s rise to the interim UFC welterweight title. Condit does his strength and conditioning at Southwest Sports Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
IN THE GYM
You can get some insight into Condit's strength and conditioning training via YouTube from his self-filmed UFC fighter diary. It was posted on the UFC’s channel as part of the build-up to his bout with Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 132 in July last year. The most interesting exercise is a disassociation drill involving a simultaneous one-handed tricep barbell row and an overhand tennis ball throw against a wall.
IN ACTION
Carlos demonstrated a fantastically deep gas tank in going the five-round distance with cardio machine Nick Diaz at UFC 143 in February of this year.
COMBINATIONS
Condit may not be the fastest athlete, but his well-picked combinations get the job done as he lands again and again, on target and with the full force of his body weight.
IN THE GYM
Why not try this tricky and unusual combination that Condit threw to good effect against Nick Diaz at UFC 143 in February this year. It was a back-leg stamp kick to lead knee, left-leg head kick.
IN ACTION
Take a look at WEC 26 in March 2007. Condit used excellent combination striking to wear down John Alessio before finishing him via rear naked choke with one second left in round two.
GROUND ‘N’ POUND
Condit exploits his long reach well in order to ground ‘n’ pound downed opponents from the standing position, positioning himself over guard and half guard.
IN THE GYM
Stand over your pad man while he has his hooks on your hips. Clear the hooks and throw down punches, either standing over half guard, or try this Condit-style step-over pass.
IN ACTION
Take a look at Condit's fights from Pancrase in Japan in September and October 2006 before his WEC days against Takuya Wada and Tatsunori Tanaka for some great examples of this standing style of striking and passing guard.
...
