There is still hope out there for one of the most anticipated welterweight matches that never quite came to fruition.

Four years ago at UFC on FOX 9, Matt Brown and Carlos Condit were set to face each other in what looked to be a surefire Fight of the Night, if not a Fight of the Year contender. Unfortunately, the injury bug intervened when Brown sustained a back injury that forced him out of the fight. The bout never got re-booked and with Brown’s recent statements about potentially retiring from MMA after fight at UFC Norfolk last November, along with Condit’s own waning interest in the sport, it looked like it may never come to pass.

But not so fast! Speaking recently with the Fight Society podcast, Brown suggested that he would postpone his “semi-retirement” if a fight with Condit was on the table.

“Maybe it’s time for me and him to lock horns,” said Brown. “I’d love to. I’ve got so much respect for him. Of course, I would love to. Everybody would want to see that fight. It was supposed to happen before. We’ll see what happens. That’s definitely one people would want to see no matter what. It would be a fight for the ages. Now it would certainly be a fight that would make me want to come out of semi-retirement.”

“I haven’t made any decisions on anything. That would be one that would probably wake me up and get me out of bed.”

Condit and Brown made their names as two of the most exciting fighters on the UFC roster, combining for nine total Fight of the Night awards. When they were first scheduled to meet, Brown was riding six-fight win streak and Condit was only a year removed from having lost his interim UFC title in a unification bout with Georges St-Pierre.

Now though, both men have fallen on harder times inside the cage. Condit is currently on a three-fight losing streak, having come up short against Neil Magny just last weekend at UFC 219. Brown isn’t faring much better, going only 1-3 over that same period of time, though his last bout did see him score a spectacular KO over Diego Sanchez. But despite the fact that neither man is really in title contention anymore, Brown insists that any fight between the two of them would be main event worthy, and he hopes UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby agrees with him.

“We’d definitely have to go five,” said Brown. “We’ll see what happens. Maybe Sean Shelby will be listening in and give me a call next week.”

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Santa. Urijah Faber says Sage Northcutt is “like Santa with abs.”

VIDEO STEW

When they try, the UFC can make a very solid promo.

This is a pretty wild fight you probably missed.

And a slick intercepting elbow in here.

Bellator giving you the adventures of Rampage ahead of their big event.

Tommy Toe Hold.

Khabib says he’ll fight Conor for free.

T-Wood on Logan Paul.

LISTEN UP

The MMA After Hour. The Twitter Q & A exclusive along with Rick’s picks.

Heavy Hands. Breaking down the dominance of Cyborg and Khabib.

The Co-Main Event. Discussing UFC 219 and the Jackson-Wink social media guy.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Megan Anderson denying the rumors about a fight at Perth.

Chael had a string of things to say.

There’s only 2 things he can do in the ring with me Jan 20th. NOTHING and LIKE IT. — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) January 3, 2018

...Any members of the MMA Media who are skeptical of my KO power who wanna do a little George Plimpton-style

"Participatory Journalism..." — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) January 3, 2018

This is your official notification that none of you has an anchor tied to your ass — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) January 3, 2018

And, as Curtis Mayfield said...

MOVE

ON

UP

When next y'see me — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) January 3, 2018

And

TASTE

th'

POWAH

fer y'selves... — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) January 3, 2018

You'll be able to get an interview w/Jack Dempsey where I'll send ya — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) January 3, 2018

Seriously, got any relatives on the other side you want to visit? I’ll help. — Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) January 3, 2018

Ferguson.

Cool.

Dana White is in Phuket. He stopped by to visit the girl whose operation he paid for a few years ago pic.twitter.com/rnomscB8Uu — James Goyder (@JamesGoyder) January 3, 2018

Stipe’s got a local commercial.

Jones’ team feeling solid about his return.

I can’t wait for the return of the https://t.co/xAd4a1TZUy — Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) January 3, 2018

Gabi made it on to Desus and Mero.

Gabi Garcia stars in strange Japanese MMA weigh-in. pic.twitter.com/ViWE9dO0PK — DESUS & MERO (@desusandmero) January 3, 2018

Lineker will be back.

Me recuperando, contando os dias para voltar!!

Grato ao carinho de todos #HandOfStone



Me recovering, counting the days to come back !!

Grateful to everyone's affection #HandOfStone pic.twitter.com/cs0gIlIx2W — John Lineker (@johnlineker) January 3, 2018

Insane KO.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Brian Camozzi (7-4) vs. Geoff Neal (8-2); UFC Austin, Feb. 18.

Sarah Moras (5-3) vs. Lucie Pudilova (7-2); UFC Austin, Feb. 18.

Joby Sanchez (11-2) vs. Roberto Sanchez (7-1); UFC Austin, Feb. 18.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2014: Tarec Saffiedine won a unanimous decision over Hyun Gyu Lim at UFC Fight Night. On the undercard that evening, Max Holloway began his current 12 fight win streak, knocking out Will Chope.

FINAL THOUGHTS

That’s all for today folks. Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

Poll Would you like to see Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit? This poll is closed. 83% Yes (1257 votes)

16% No (247 votes) 1504 votes total Vote Now

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.