In the co-main event of UFC Fight Island 7, we had a matchup that fans have been waiting years for. Veteran welterweights Carlos Condit (31-13) and Matt Brown (22-17) finally met inside the octagon.
Carlos Condit was able to snap a five-fight losing streak during the UFC‘s last trip to Fight Island. He was looking to pickup his second consecutive win today. This would be the first winning streak for Condit since 2012 if he was to win.
There was also a lot riding on this fight given Condit’s contract situation. Condit announced this week that UFC Fight Island 7 was the final fight on his current deal with the promotion. He needed a win to ride high into negotiations.
On the other side of the octagon you had Matt Brown. The gritty veteran saw his two-fight win streak snapped last May when he was knocked out by Miguel Baeza. The 40 year old welterweight was aiming to prove that he can still put on a show.
UFC Fight Island 7 Recap
Round 1
The UFC Fight Island 7 co-main event of the evening started and both men immediately started training. Brown was looking to pressure Condit early while Condit was looking to work his low kicks.
Condit was working his kicks on all three levels in the first minute of the fight. Brown was able to catch Condit on an entry and he landed a takedown. Matt Brown wasn’t throwing much on the ground instead just using it for control.
Condit was able to work back to the guard, but Brown was able to push him against the fence. After a minute on top, Brown started throwing some shots. With two minutes left in the round Condit started trying to work his way up, but Brown was holding control well.
With a minute left in the round, Condit started working for submissions off his back. Condit worked his way up to his feet and hit a switch to end up on top of Matt Brown before the round ended. Very tough round to score considering Brown didn’t do much on top, but I’ll still give him the round.
Round 2
The second round of the UFC Fight Island 7 co-main event started with Condit pushing forward. Condit was throwing kicks and combinations, however, Matt Brown caught Condit flush with a big elbow that buckled Condit’s legs.
Matt Brown wasn’t able to capitalize on a hurt Condit. Condit recovered well and went back to working his combinations. Brown tried to land a couple of takedowns, but Condit was doing a good job of defending in the second round.
Halfway through the round and Condit really started opening up. Then out of no where, Condit landed a spectacular takedown of his own. Once on top, Condit started working his elbows looking to hurt Matt Brown.
Matt Brown was really starting to look tired on the bottom. Condit was doing a good job of constantly touching Matt Brown and holding him down in the second round. The second round comes to a close and it was a dominant round overall for Condit.
Round 3
The former interim UFC welterweight champion looked like he had all the momentum entering the final round. Both men touched gloves to get things underway but the action immediately paused with an accidental low kick from Condit.
When the action resumed, Condit went right back to attacking with his kicks. Thirty seconds into the round and Brown shot for a takedown, but Condit defended well. Matt Brown was able to push Condit against the fence and land a solid right hand.
He chained that into a takedown attempt, but Condit was able to reverse and get the back of Matt Brown. Brown was able to work his way back up, but then Condit took him right back down and landed in side control.
Matt Brown was looking exhausted in the final round. Condit was able to get the back once again, but he slipped and Brown used that to get back to his feet. Condit slipped and Brown ended up on top with 90 seconds left in the round.
Brown was on top, but he wasn’t doing much with it. Condit was attacking submissions off his back and throwing shots. With 50 seconds left, Condit got back to his feet. Once there, Condit went for a takedown, but Brown reversed and got his own takedown.
The fight comes to a close and it was razor close. Given the activity, I give the third round and the fight to Carlos Condit 29-28.
Carlos Condit def. Matt Brown by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)