Condit Versus Kim Presents Interesting Matchup for UFC 132

By Raphael Garcia

This past week a major matchup for UFC 132 was announced. Carlos Condit will face off against Dong Hyun Kim. I searched some of the MMA news sites and internet message boards to gauge fan reaction to the news, and I was quite surprised to see that the response was lackadaisical. I think this is a big fight for the welterweight division.

Since entering the UFC in 2008, Kim has quietly compiled an undefeated record. Excluding a no contest from a bout with Karo Parisyan, who failed a drug test from the NSAC, each trip to the Octagon for Kim has been a successful one, and he has worked his way into welterweight title contention. The South Korean judoka has defeated the likes of Matt Brown, Amir Sadollah, TJ Grant, and Nate Diaz; this is quite the resume for someone who doesn’t garner a lot of attention.

After defeating Nate Diaz at UFC 125, Kim made it known that he would like to make a run at the welterweight title, and a fight with Carlos Condit is a big step towards that goal. While Condit isn’t as much of an unknown as Kim, he is another fighter that doesn’t gain a lot of media attention. He puts on great battles in the cage, such as his loss against Martin Kampmann, or his recent wins over Jake Ellenberger and Dan Hardy. The former WEC title holder considers himself a top five contender for the welterweight strap, and even though he is a teammate of Georges St. Pierre, Condit has stated that he would fight him for the title.

Kim is a very technical fighter who uses his strength in Judo to get his opponent to the mat where he can grind out victories. His fight against Diaz showed that he has the ability to control even a high level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu player once the fight hits the mat. Yet on the feet he is not as comfortable, and usually strikes just to get in close to work his game.

Condit, on the other hand, is the type of fighter that doesn’t mind standing toe to toe. He did so against Kampmann, and that is one factor that cost him the close fight. However, his knockout of Hardy displayed a punching power that many people did not know that he possessed. I expect Condit to want to play the position game as well, scoring while on the feet and staying defensive if the fight hits the ground.

Even though the UFC Bantamweight Championship matchup between Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz is set to headline UFC 132 in Las Vegas, I believe that the Carlos Condit versus Dong Hyun Kim is just as big of a fight, one that will really help shape the welterweight title scene for the rest of the year. I expect to see Kim edge out a close decision victory, and stake his claim to being an elite welterweight, and future title contender.