By now, everyone and their mother has an opinion about the much talked about decision at UFC 143, which saw Carlos Condit awarded a unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz after their five round fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, this past weekend (Feb. 4, 2012).

The decision left many fans outraged and screaming bloody murder at the judges' call to award Condit the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship and the opportunity to face Georges St. Pierre somewhere down the road.

In what should have been one of, if not the best moments of Carlos Condit's career, his performance was quickly met with criticism by fans, fighters and media alike due to his evasive stick-and-move strategy, which was good enough to earn sway the scorecards.

Unfortunately for "The Natural Born Killer," the backlash against him still continues, with UFC Hall-of-Famer and all around mixed martial arts (MMA) legend Royce Gracie being no exception. The Octagon's founding father is a family member of Cesar Gracie, Nick Diaz's head trainer, and is another spectator who has voiced his opinions on the UFC 143 main event as well as praising the style of Diaz at the expense of Condit.

Check out the comments he sent out via his official Twitter account, after the jump.

@nickdiaz209 won that fight in my.opinion. he is what every fighter should be a true martial artists who comes to fight. Well prepared and with a gameplan. Not one that envloves running from a fight. Why come to fight if you gonna run. Hackney was running when we fought and I had to take the fight to him, Shamrock showed up not to lose in our rematch its a shame really. I for one am proud of Nick and happy he is part of Grace Jiu-jitsu family."

As an MMA fighter, you would be hard pressed to find any greater opinion, compliment and approval of your fighting style than that of MMA legend and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall-of-Famer, Royce Gracie.

Gracie, who competed in the very first UFC event ever, UFC 1, back on November 12, 1993, began his legendary MMA career with 11 straight wins, including winning the first two UFC tournaments along with winning the UFC 4 tournament by defeating much bigger and stronger opponents using the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) style that had not yet been seen stateside.

However, the fact still remains, Carlos Condit is the promotion's Interim Welterweight Champion, and no one, not even the opinions of MMA legends, can take that away from him.

Any of you Maniacs think the backlash against Condit, which is apparently picking up steam instead of slowing down, is unwarranted?

Perhaps a convincing win over Georges St. Pierre will erase any and all doubt and put to rest the memories of the controversy surrounding UFC 143.