Originally Posted by
ShotgunRua
Question to the people who think Condit should have fought at boxing range (Diaz's most effective range), and traded blows (Diaz's most effective type of fight), should this apply to other styles as well?
For example should JDS let Cain secure a takedown so that he can beat Cain at his own game? Should Randy Couture have boxed with James Toney?
Diaz was wisely looking to close the distance to very close range as he knew this was where he had the best chance of winning. Condit, who uses far more kicks, was looking to create distance so that he could use his best weapons effectively. This was always going to lead to a situation where one guy is moving forward and the other is moving backward.
If Condit had stopped moving backward and decided to fight at Diaz preferred range then he would have given up on trying to maintain an advantage and would have been handicapping himself. It would be the direct equivalent of Diaz deciding to stop moving forward and just accepting that the fight would be fought at Condit's preferred kickboxing range. If Diaz had done this and lost, everyone would be calling him a retard for not moving forward and effectively giving in to Condit's will.
he decider here was always going to be who has the footwork necessary to maintain their preferred range. In this case it was Condit, and in doing so he landed more strikes and therefore won. Yes, occasionally Diaz would move in close against the cage and Condit would have no option but to turn away and move back to the centre of the cage. Condit was unable to fight Diaz at close range with his back against the cage, Diaz on the other hand was unable to utilise angles and footwork and trap Condit. Therefore, again, Condit managed to fight his fight.
Diaz has a style which is effective against opponents who allow him to fight a certain way. Condit was too mature to be lured in by in ring trolling antics and GSP will be too. If Diaz wants to succeed in the UFC he needs to spend less time attempting to get an emotional reaction out of disciplined fighters and more time working on footwork and wrestling.