Once considered one of the best 170-pounders on the planet, Carlos Condit hasn't set foot in the Octagon since suffering a torn ACL against Tyron Woodley last March.
After more than a year on the shelf, the Natural Born Killer is returning to a very different welterweight division ruled by the battle-hardened, dynamite-fisted Robbie Lawler. Lawler isn't a seemingly bulletproof golden boy like former division overlord Georges St-Pierre, and as Lawler seems much more fallible, the division feels ripe for the picking.
Condit's first pit stop on the way back to the top of the ladder comes against fellow former title challenger Thiago Alves at UFC Fight Night 67 on Saturday night.
"I think that this definitely solidifies my spot as a contender," Condit told MMAjunkie.com's Mike Bohn. "Thiago's not ranked really high right now, but it's only because he was out with injuries for a long time. He's without a doubt one of the top guys in the division. A win over him is going to put me in the running for a title shot soon."
Alves didn't compete for almost two years before making a triumphant return to the UFC in 2014, scoring a decision victory over Seth Baczynski at UFC on FOX 11. He followed that up with a stirring comeback against Jordan Mein at UFC 183 in January, liquefying Mein with a vicious body kick.
"I think that maybe physically through all the injuries he's maybe a different guy," Condit said. "He's gained experience and I see the mental side of his game as stronger than ever. I think he showed that in his last fight where he was losing and losing pretty badly in the first round then came back and got the finish. He's always tough, he's always dangerous but I think that he’s looked good in last two fights."
As for whether or not the Jackson-Winkeljohn product is concerned about ring rust or his surgically repaired knee ... well, he's more worried about the heavily muscled Brazilian trying to punch him in the face.
"(The knee injury is) something I'm not really worried about, but I'm definitely aware of it," Condit said. "As soon as that bell rings I’m going to have a lot more to worry about with my opponent. Thiago's super dangerous. It's do or die once they say go.
"I can push the pace in a five-rounder. I have better endurance. He's an incredible fighter, but he doesn't make anyone tired. I do and they crumble. That's my home."