“The Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit has confirmed that he will be returning to the UFC this coming August as he will be squaring off against top Welterweight fighter Martin Kampmann for the second time in their UFC careers. The two Welterweight warriors will fight in the UFC’s second time on Fox Sports 1 at UFC on Fox Sports 1:2.

February 4, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFC fighter Carlos Condit celebrates after he wins the fight against Nick Diaz during UFC 143 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Carlos Codit defeated Nick Diaz. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The first time these two warriors fought was back in 2009 at UFC Fight Night. The pair headlined the event with Carlos Condit making his UFC debut coming over from World Extreme Cagefighting the WEC and Martin Kampmann trying to build a winning streak to get in the Welterweight title hunt. Both fighters took it to each other for three full rounds and at the end Carlos Condit won the bout via split-decision making a huge impact saying that he is here and ready to compete for the UFC Welterweight Championship.

But that was 4 years ago 4 years later Carlos Condit has really dug himself in the hole in the Welterweight division. He is currently riding a two fight losing streak which started at UFC 154 where he lost his Welterweight Championship to George St.Pierre who was coming back from a lengthy absence and to Johny Hendricks at UFC 158 where both fighters entertained the crowd in three full rounds which Johny Hendricks picked up the victory and the right to face Georges St.Pierre in his next bout.

Their is a lot on the plate for Carlos Condit heading into the event. If he losses to Martin Kampmann who just like Condit is coming off a loss against Johny Hendricks could be sent to the back of the line in the Welterweight division. Their are top fighters making a huge push to get a Welterweight title fight such as Jake Ellenberger, Rory MacDonald and UFC veteran fighter Demian Maia.

This scheduled bout is set to be a Carlos Condit’s fan full on nail-biting bout as their is a lot of writing on the table heading into the bout against Martin Kampmann at UFC on Fox Sports 1: 2

Nov 17, 2012; Montreal, QC, Canada; Johny Hendricks reacts after knocking out Martin Kampmann (not pictured) during first round action of their Welterweight bout at UFC 154 at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-US PRESSWIRE

Georges St. Pierre and Carlos Condit put on an instant classic at UFC 154. Their fight, though largely dominated by GSP, saw both men bloodied and bruised at the end of 25 minutes.  At the press conference, GSP showed up with an ice bag for his face, which was mostly bruised from his bout. In his reign as welterweight champion, this was the most damage GSP had taken since his upset loss to Matt Serra at UFC 69. But he came out victorious, looking as dominate (and healthy) as ever.

Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Johny Hendricks laid out Martin Kampmann with his signature left hand, which is quickly becoming the most feared punch in MMA outside of Dan Henderson’s H-Bomb. His knockout of Kampmann was almost identical to his 12-second victory over perennial contender Jon Fitch at UFC 141. At this time, Hendricks is the number one contender – but it appears that the UFC will look to book the Anderson Silva – St. Pierre super fight instead of giving Hendricks his shot at the title. But in my opinion, I think St. Pierre – Hendricks is the bout to book.

Hendricks said post fight that GSP had never fought anyone like him – and I believe that to be true. Hendricks, a two-time national champion wrestler in college, has the best credentials of anyone GSP has faced in terms of wrestling. Also, as mentioned above, he has one shot knockout power that few, if any, at welterweight can match. I’m sure I am in the minority, but I feel GSP-Hendricks is the way to go at this moment.  If Hendricks stuffs GSP’s takedows, we could be in for a real barnburner on the feet. Let Silva fight Michael Bisping (if he beats Vitor Belfort) or the winner of Chris Weidman – Tim  Plus, if GSP stays at 170 for the foreseeable future, we may get to see his grudge match against a certain Stockon bad boy who is set to come off of suspension in February.

Here are five other bouts to book in the aftermath of UFC 154.

Matt Riddle versus Dan Hardy

Riddle cut amazing promo for a bout with Hardy after UFC 149 and again after UFC 154. He’s an exciting fighter who seems to be improving every fight out, and I think he has earned a step up in competition. A bout with the resurgent Hardy, who is coming off a dominant decision win over Amir Sadollah, makes too much not sense to book at this point. I think it would it would be a great way to open the UFC on Fox 6 card in January or even as opening fight on a major PPV card. I can’t see this fight being anything other than exciting.

Carlos Condit versus Martin Kampmann

Both men lost at UFC 154, albeit in different ways. Condit proved that he was a top-flight welterweight in his loss to St. Pierre, and almost finished the champ in round three while Kampmann got separated from his senses . Both men, however, are now back in the pack of a very crowded welterweight division, and will need a big win if they want to make a another run at the top. These two should be booked for a rematch sometime in 2013, with the winner in prime position to get back in the title picture at 170. If not this bout, a match up with the aforementioned Nick Diaz would make a lot of sense for  either Condit or Kampmann.

Ivan Menjivar versus TJ Dillashaw

Menjivar took UFC rookie Azamat Gashimov’s arm home with him on the prelims of UFC 154, and he set himself up for some fun bouts at 135. I have my doubts about Menjivar as serious contender at bantamweight, but at the very least, he will provide stern tests for young fighters. That is where is Dillashaw comes in. The 26-year old Team Alpha Male product is currently injured, but when he is healthy, a bout between these two would give the victor a chance to get a Top 10 opponent in a bantamweight division currently in flux. The battle between Dillashaw’s smothering too game and Menjivar’s sneaky good jiu-jitsu game would be a fun stylistic match up for an FX or FUEL TV main card.

Rafael dos Anjos versus TJ Grant – Matt Wiman

dos Anjos put forth his best UFC performance against Mark Bocek by stifling the Canadian’s every offense move. He has had his highs and lows in his UFC career, but he appears to be finally putting together. Currently on a three fight winning streak, dos Anjos is that territory right above the mid-tier, but he not quite a contender. The winner of the Grant-Wiman, which takes place at UFC on Fox 6 in January, will be on the same level as dos Anjos in the lightweight pecking order. The winner of this potential bout could get a crack at the top levels at 155, which in the UFC, is incredibly deep and could get even deeper soon if Gilbert Melendez and/or Eddie Alvarez make their way to the UFC.

Darren Elkins versus Clay Guida – Hatsu Hioki winner

Elkins was impressive in his UFC 154 victory over Steven Siler, battering his opponent with takedowns and ground and pound for majority of three rounds. At 4-0 at 145, he is need a bigger name, and one that could force him to fight on the feet. The winner of Guida – Hioki would not only give Elkins a Top 10 foe, but also take him out of comfort zone. Guida would likely be able to defend his takedowns, and Hioki was the jiu-jitsu game to threaten Elkins off of his back for the first time 145. Either way, a bout with either of these two men would give us a real read on what Elkins ceiling is as a featherweight contender.

The co-main event saw Johny Hendricks get a huge knockout victory over Martin Kampmann. It only took 46 seconds for Hendricks to finish the fight and now it could set upa fight between Hendricks and St. Pierre.

What We Learned:

St. Pierre is truly a class above everyone else at welterweight. Condit was the toughest challenger he has faced in years, but other than the head kick Condit delivered GSP was never in trouble.

The question is where St. Pierre goes next from here. Does he face Anderson Silva at a catchweight or does he take on Hendricks for the welterweight title? Both present very different challenges for GSP. Silva would be one of the most dynamic strikers that St. Pierre has faced along with having a serious size advantage over GSP. Could GSP take and hold Silva down or would Silva’s dynamic striking be too much for the champ? Hendricks can finish anyone with one punch and also has elite wrestling which is St. Pierre’s strength. Can Hendricks avoid the takedown? Can GSP withstand a big shot from the left hand of Hendricks?

Condit is an elite level welterweight. He never gave up in the fight and nearly finished it in the third round with a huge head kick. It’s back to the drawing board for Condit, but he shouldn’t be disappointed with his performance. Many challengers have been outclassed by the champ, but not many can say they nearly finished him also.

Hendricks can finish anyone. He showed that in the fight with Kampmann and even showed that he isn’t just a left hand, but can

Nov 17, 2012; Montreal, QC, Canada; Johny Hendricks reacts after knocking out Martin Kampmann (not pictured) during first round action of their Welterweight bout at UFC 154 at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-US PRESSWIRE

set up the left with jabs. He presents an interesting style for Georges St. Pierre because he’s a wrestler that has learned to strike and is very good at it. It will be interesting to see whether Hendricks is given a shot at St. Pierre or he has to wait until after a Silva-St. Pierre super fight.

Kampmann still takes too much damage and showed it after be knocked out by Hendricks. He has made a career of being hurt by opponents, but persevering to earn a victory. The power of Hendricks was too much for Kampmann and if he wants to be a contender in the welterweight division, Kampmann will have to learn to avoid damage and utilize his length and submissions.