No Love Lost Between Hardy, Condit

Those who thought the bad blood might die down between welterweights Dan Hardy and Carlos Condit as their fight drew closer were proved wrong on Thursday, as the Brit had plenty to say about his opponent.

The hype surrounding the matchup has seen Hardy do most of the trash talking, and that was again the case at the pre-fight press conference promoting the event. The pair will clash at UFC 120 “Bisping vs. Akiyama” on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London.

Condit, 26, asked for this fight against Hardy, a fact to which the Brit took exception.

“I think it was silly [to call me out], to be honest. Of all the people in the division, there are a lot of easier fights [than me],” said Hardy. “I don’t tap out, and I don’t give up. It’s gonna be a rough night [for him]. I was worried the other day on the plane. I thought he was trying to wriggle his way out.”

Hardy was referencing the fact that Condit had a difficult time boarding the plane to London due to issues with his passport. In typical reserved fashion, the former World Extreme Cagefighting champion did not respond to Hardy’s goading as he explained what happened at the airport.

“My passport is a bit worn, and they didn’t want to let me get on the plane. It was basically the people at the flight counter giving me a hard time,” said Condit. “According to them, there are heightened security risk factors, and they’re scrutinizing passports more than normal. I’ve traveled internationally recently, and I’ve never had a problem [before this incident].”

Condit was asked whether or not he was sporting a beard in his passport photograph, inferring perhaps that his physical appearance might have been the cause of his delay.

“I think when I took my passport picture I couldn’t even grow a beard,” Condit said.

Hardy, unable to let the proverbial sleeping dog lie, slipped in one last remark before the line of questioning changed, postulating why he thought that Condit was held up.

“It was probably some Dan Hardy fans doing it for his own good [so he wouldn't have to fight me],” said the Team Rough House representative.

In response to Hardy’s claim that he could find Condit’s chin with his eyes closed, the Greg Jackson-trained Condit again remained understated.

“I want to be in exciting fights, to challenge myself. I think I've risen to the level of my opponents. I'm the best fighter I've ever been, and I like my chances,” said Condit.

In one final bit of interest from the conference, a UK reporter insinuated that Condit -- whose father is New Mexico’s Chief of Staff -- may have been the black sheep of his family. The welterweight was quick to correct the notion.

“[My family is] absolutely supportive. I’m not the black sheep. I never said that,” Condit said. “Everybody is proud of me. They know I work hard for what I do. It’s a point of pride for me and my community.”