Carlos Condit, Matt Brown Reflect on Long-Awaited Clash in UFC on ABC 1 Co-Main Event

Crafty takedown by the veteran @CarlosCondit #UFCFightIsland7 pic.twitter.com/0FwGMeWDMt

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 16, 2021

While he can stomach a defeat, Matt Brown was undeniably miffed that Carlos Condit swept the scorecards in their co-main event bout at UFC on ABC 1.

“The Immortal” felt that he did enough to win the welterweight contest thanks to positional control, but even if that wasn’t the case, Brown can’t fathom how the judges elected to award all three rounds to his opponent. The opening frame was arguably Brown’s best, when he landed a takedown and maintained 3:36 of control time, according to UFCStats.com.

“30-27 is ridiculous,” Brown wrote on Twitter. “I won the first round 100%. He won the second for sure, and the third is really close but I ended on top. Should have got the decision [in my opinion], but if he got it based on just the third round I wouldn’t be mad. F--ing judges.”

30-27 is ridiculous. I won the first round 100% he won the second for sure and the third is really close but I ended on top. Should have got the decision imo but if he got it based on just the third round I wouldn’t be mad. Fucking judges

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) January 17, 2021

Brown seemed to fade somewhat over the final 10 minutes, as Condit executed a pair of his own takedowns and generally fared well in grappling exchanges. Additionally, “The Natural Born Killer” was more active offensively on the ground, outlanding his foe by a 157-to-37 count in total strikes.

“I expected a little more back and forth on the feet, we ended up grappling quite a bit, but I’m not sad about the way that went because I got the better of those exchanges,” Condit said. “I’m a pretty high-level grappler and I just got to put the time in… I had the opportunity with a guy who wanted to take me down but wasn’t too heavy on the top pressure, so I was able to move and make some cool stuff happen.”

As Condit pointed out, it wasn’t necessarily the striking battle many anticipated it would be heading into the event. Still, there was plenty of entertaining action in a bout that had been in the making for nearly eight years. On two previous occasions the bout was booked – once in 2013 and again in 2018 -- only to fall through after Brown suffered injuries.

“I was stoked to get in there and finally face Matt,” Condit said. “Standing across the cage from him was awesome. I had the hair standing up in the back of my neck, I was so stoked to get in there and get my hand raised. I’m very happy.”

Despite his disappointment at the final scorecards, Brown appears ready to move forward after the defeat.

“Thanks for all the love and support (and the occasional hate),” Brown wrote. “I’m still getting better and stronger every day and I will learn and grow from this! Hope you all enjoyed the show!”

Thanks for all the love and support (and the occasional hate) I’m still getting better and stronger every day and I will learn and grow from this! Hope you all enjoyed the show!

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) January 17, 2021