DWCS 3: Clayton Carpenter considers contract-winning performance ‘damn near a loss’

Clayton Carpenter says he got “impatient and frustrated” earning his UFC contract.

Clayton Carpenter was a bit disappointed after rallying to win a unanimous decision, over a very game Edgar Chairez.  Carpenter remained undefeated and earned a UFC contract, but his performance wasn’t up to snuff for him.

“I’m going for the kill, I didn’t get the finish. I consider it damn near a loss in my opinion,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter came in as a huge (-350) favorite and was clipped in the first round several times causing bad swelling under his right eye. He lost that first round and knew the start was rough. “I got a little impatient in there, and was getting a little bit more frustrated than I should’ve.” “I feel pretty good, I let it get a lot closer than it should’ve,” said Carpenter.

After the clear striking advantage in the first by Chairez, Carpenter responded by winning the next two rounds en route to a 29-28 unanimous decision. Largely using his leg kicks and takedowns with some nice elbows to do so.

 DWCS 3 contract winner Clayton Carpenter says ‘I’m going for the kill’

When asked if he felt he had earned his contract at the end of the fight Carpenter responded, “I believe so, I believe that I put on a good show. I felt like I put on an adequate performance, and it gave me a lot to think about.”

Specifically answering how the eye felt, “It looks a lot worse than it felt,” said Carpenter. He also added that it really didn’t affect him much during the fight.

Carpenter definitely underestimated Chairez.

“He put on a lot more weight, during the weigh-ins he looked pretty rough, skinny. When I got in the cage he felt a lot stronger than I originally thought.”

The performance surely gave Carpenter a wake-up call and tape to break down.  He really has a well-rounded game and is looking to show it even more moving forward, and in one place specifically in the future. “Fighting in Madison Square Garden is a dream of mine.” Wherever we see Clayton Carpenter next he’ll be looking to improve on this performance and keep his undefeated record intact.

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