Create a free account to unlock this article! Get Started Already a subscriber? Log In

Carlos Condit is a man with a lot of thinking to do.



After being dominated and submitted in the UFC On Fox 21 main event yesterday, Condit revealed in the post-fight press conference that he wasn't sure if he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level of mixed martial arts.



"I'll talk to the people around me, talk to my wife and then make a decision after we've had a discussion," Condit said. "I'll do a little assessing of where I'm going and see what's on the horizon.



"I don't know man, I'm not sure I have any business fighting at this level anymore. I've been at this for a really long time and had the pressure of being one of the top guys for almost a decade. It's been awesome to be involved in the sport at the time I have and get to do what I love for a living, but I don't know man, I don't know if I belong here anymore. We'll see."



Condit later revealed he had been harboring these thoughts for a while and the he wasn't speaking in the emotion of the moment.



"You know, honestly, it's definitely been in the back of my mind for a while now," Condit said. "It's been a long career and I think there comes a point in a fighter's career when they kinda have to question how long they can continue to do that. I've been doing that for a while now.



"It wasn't my night tonight and I don't know if that is going to be the swan song for me, but hopefully not. I'd hate to go out on a loss like this. I would've at least like to get in there and, you know, put on an exciting show like I usually do. I don't know what is on the cards, but I'm leaning towards possibly being done."



With the fight with Maia only going a total of one minute and 52 seconds, it was evident that Condit was embarrassed about the fight being over so quickly. The former interim-welterweight champion made sure to mention his team, who he felt he let down last night.



"I apologize to them [his team] because, you know, I feel really bad because they put in their time and effort," Condit said. "They've taken time away from their families as well so it's not just me who is disappointed, it's them also. I hate to waste their time. Everyone's time is valuable and they are really important for me.



"That's what this sport is--you win and you lose. It's about going in there and testing your skills and seeing if it works out in your favor. Tonight it didn't for me and they are aware of that."



Fittingly, the final words last evening were left to an emotional Condit who underlined the predicament he was going through both mentally physically as to whether he still belonged at the highest level of the sport.



"Some aspects I definitely am passionate about still," Condit said. "I love the preparation. I trained really hard for this camp. I've had a tough career with a lot of fights and I've taken a lot of punishment. I don't know if I can continue to take shots honestly."