UFC welterweight fighter Josh Koscheck recently signed a new multi-fight contract that ensures he will remain on the 170-pound roster for the near future.
It’s a deal more than three years in the making after the former NCAA wrestling champion recently satisfied his three-year, 10-fight contract following a stint on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 1 mixed martial arts reality series.
“I’m really happy to be with the UFC,” Koscheck recently told MMAmania.com. “It was an easy decision. There was no shopping around or anything like that. It was just a matter of getting a good deal that works out for me and for the organization.”
While fighting under his old contract, “Kos” compiled an impressive record (8-2) and could have earned serious consideration as a title challenger if he defeated Georges St. Pierre at UFC 74: “Respect” back in August 2007.
He didn’t, losing via unanimous decision to the Canadian. The defeat has now lit a fire under the Pennsylvania native and he’s eager to climb back up to the top of the ladder rung by rung.
“I feel I still have a lot to prove to the fans,” Koscheck said. “That’s my plan. I want to prove to everyone that I’m evolving as a fighter and work my way back up to that title shot.”
Dustin Hazelett was his first victim, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu player who Koscheck took out in an action-packed stand up fight that ended with his hand raised after two rounds at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” last month.
Next up is grizzled veteran Chris Lytle at UFC 86 in July — a very underrated and dangerous fighter who has 45 professional bouts to his credit.
“I’m happy to be back and I want that title shot, but there’s no way I’m looking past Chris Lytle,” Koscheck said. “He’s a very tough opponent and this is going to be a big test for both of us. It’s just that I’m set on being a world champion in 2008 and I have to go through Chris Lytle to achieve that goal.”
It’s an ambitious plan, considering that his good friend and training partner at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Jon Fitch, is perhaps next in line to fight the winner of the UFC 83 fight between Matt Serra and Georges St. Pierre later on this year.
And if that happens, and Fitch and Koscheck continue to win, would we ever see a fight between the two stable mates?
“This is a business and Jon and I both want the same thing — a world title,” said Koscheck. “If we’re the last men standing in the welterweight division then it’s possible we could fight. Anything can happen for the right amount of money. But there’s no need to worry about that right now.”
Pressed to elaborate on how that far-fetched (for now) match up might go down, Koscheck provided a potential scenario.
“I guess we flip a coin and he picks coaches and I pick coaches,” said Koscheck. “But knowing us — we’re competitors who love to compete — we’d more than likely train together right up until fight time. For us it would just be a competition and we’d still be the best of friends once the fight is over.”
For now Koscheck is just happy to be with the UFC because as he puts it, the Octagon is where he “belongs.”
He now has the opportunity to continue proving that to all the fans, critics and more importantly himself, thanks to his new fight deal.
Let’s see what he’s got, starting with Lytle. That’s a darn tough scrap.
29 Comments »
you and jon both have more to prove…
Not a personal fan of Koscheck, but I think he is one hell of a fighter. I’m personally glad he is going to be in the UFC for the next few years. An awesome heel for the company!
We’ll see if Kos and Fitch fight eventually. It could be good if they let it all hang out. Otherwise it will be a snooze fest.
Lytle awaits…
15 straight wins, eight of which are inside the Octagon, since 2003. That’s five years, which should be like dog years in MMA. I’m biased for sure, but what else is there to prove for Fitch … the numbers don’t lie. And if Karo is the only person left to prove that Fitch is legit, I think that ship sailed when Karo asked for an easier opponent. That’s proof in and of itself if you ask me. But this is about Koscheck — FOCUS.
Fitch is unreal, but I still believe he must fight Karo in the end, if not until after his title shot. Truthfully, I would just love to see the fight as a fan of the sport. Karo always entertains and Fitch is a rising monster in the division.
Oh yeah – Koscheck. He’s got a long way to go before thinking about fighting Fitch, Karo, or GSP. Serra will probably be fighting Hughes next, so I say after Lytle, IF he can move past with the “W”, give us a KOS VS. SANCHEZ II !!!!
fitch is unreal man….specially what he dealt with in chris wilson. fitch does deserve a title shot now…but when you take an “in the meantime” fight. and have that much trouble? that does not look good on his part now that he has got to face GSP or Serra.
I’m not a fan of Kos either, never have been, but he really is a damn good fighter for the most part.
i like the fact that kos and fitch would be willing to fight each other. it’s kinda of annoying how other fighters say our friendship is worth more than a couple of dollars and other BS like that. don’t look at as a fight then, look at it as compitition. fighters already beat up each other everyday in training, why not do it for money. the best fighters should fight the best fighters, regardless of relationships.
I love Kos and would like to see him hold that belt one day…that is after GSP moves up and takes Silva’s belt ….
i can’t wait to see him fight lytle. i am a HUGE lytle fan, even more so lately. i think this is a major test for both of them and i only hope it’s a war. i’ll be pulling for lytle, but not out of any dislike for kos…i just think lytle is so skilled and has for one reason or another never put it quite altogether…plus the fact his a family man and such a chill dude makes him hard not to root for.
I’ve never been a fan of Josh Koscheck. I didn’t like him when he was on TUF 1, and that continued in his UFC career. However, I gained a lot of respect for him in his last fight. I, like many others, thought that Dustin Hazlette was going to beat him but he proved me wrong. But even beyond that he was very respectful of his opponent both before and after the fight which is unusual. If he can keep fighting like he did in that fight (as opposed to the Sanchez fight where he was fighting not to lose) then I look forward to seeing him fight in the future. If he continues to focus on improving his stand up and works on his BJJ then he could certainly be a title contender.
First off koscheck might not get through lytle. I think chris can take him out…
Second off fitch does deserve a title shot and if he has to fight one more time it will be the winner of karo and alves. everyone seems to forget karo has a tough fight on his hands, alves is really improved.. i know im picking him.
this is great news for ufc
Koscheck is a great exciting fighter who is rapidly improving
i believe he will one day hold the belt
if GSP moves up and hughes retires fitch and koscheck will own 170 division and its only a matter of time before they meet
fitch deserves a shot at the title in his next bout although he didnt look great in his last fight… fitch GSP should grace our screens sometime this summer
as for KOS … a win over lyttle would be huge and i think he can control the fight with ease much like hughes did but more explosive
after that would like to see him own diego again or let karo know who josh koscheck is
a title shot in 2008 is a big ask but there is potential if a win over lyttle got him matt hughes and then theres an outside chance of a title shot on new years eve
way to go Joshee!
Koscheck’s ultimate downfall will be his relentless desire to reinvent (and prove) himself as a striker. He came into the GSP fight wanting to pick him apart with his newfound Muay Thai skills, unfortunately GSP is so well rounded that he decided to “out wrestle the wrestler”. Kosckecks most impressive victory to date IMO is when he fought Johnathan Goulet. He overpowered him with his wrestling THEN he proceeded to pound him out. He did rock him first with an overhand right, but aside from that, he’s not looked all that impressive as a striker.
If Koscheck can bring all his skills together and become more well rounded (yet too see strong submission skills) then he will be the 2nd best welterweight in the division (behind GSP). I know Fitch is a powerhouse but I still think Koscheck is better than him. I think he is more aggressive than Fitch, has better wrestling credentials, and knows what its like to be in the cage with TOP competition (GSP).
Lytle is going to finish the job that Dustin started in the last fight, look for Lytle to bang like he did to that new comer… his post fight comments are right on the money, the guy has too much talent to be cautious all the time, he caqn bang it out hardcore and if he gets caught he has excellent recoup ability and if MR. NCAA decides to take him down Lytle will display some beatiful BJJ.
Lytle all the way…
[quote comment="396615"]Koscheck’s ultimate downfall will be his relentless desire to reinvent (and prove) himself as a striker. He came into the GSP fight wanting to pick him apart with his newfound Muay Thai skills, unfortunately GSP is so well rounded that he decided to “out wrestle the wrestler”. Kosckecks most impressive victory to date IMO is when he fought Johnathan Goulet. He overpowered him with his wrestling THEN he proceeded to pound him out. He did rock him first with an overhand right, but aside from that, he’s not looked all that impressive as a striker.
If Koscheck can bring all his skills together and become more well rounded (yet too see strong submission skills) then he will be the 2nd best welterweight in the division (behind GSP). I know Fitch is a powerhouse but I still think Koscheck is better than him. I think he is more aggressive than Fitch, has better wrestling credentials, and knows what its like to be in the cage with TOP competition (GSP).[/quote]
I must say that I agree with the first paragraph, but disagree with the second. Kos might have better college wrestling credentials than Jon Fitch, but he is by no means a better mma fighter than Jon Fitch, especially at this point in thier careers. Kos’s striking is still only beginning to approach average. I would say that Fitch has slightly above average striking giving him the edge. Kos is scared to use his wrestling when fighting BJJ fighters because he is terrified of getting submitted because he is weak there. However, Jon Fitch is very confident in his BJJ and always takes down the BJJ fighters. Kos would not take down Diego in thier second figth unless there was 10 seconds remaining in the round. Fitch had Diego on his back for 75% of the fight. Fitch also brought the Roan Carniero fight to the ground as well. Fitch is much more confident than Kos, and his MMA skills are better than Kos;s in my opinion. I would love to see a Fitch/Kos fight to see the outcome. I think that Fitch would be about a -180 favorite to win the fight.
I like Kos although, his standup needs a lot of improvement if he wants any kind of title shot. As for Fitch, he just has no game on GSP, in any department. No matter what, Fitch needs to fight at least one TOP comp. (and win) to get his title shot. Fitch has been super-hyped by the UFC to make him super-hero like. Other than Alves, he has only faught cans. Yes Sanchez too. Maybe Joe Silva should call Wilson back so he can decisively takout Kos and Fitch so that Karo and Alves can maintain that second tier behind GSP.
19 and OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!!!
I’m not now, nor have I ever been, a Koscheck fan. Still, he’s good for the UFC and the WW division, so I’m glad he re-signed, by which I mean he got a new contract, not resigned like Randy. He needs a rubber match with Diego. A less than convincing win over a near-dead Sanchez should not move up him up too far in the rankings. That fight needs to happen.
[quote comment="396807"][quote comment="396615"]Koscheck’s ultimate downfall will be his relentless desire to reinvent (and prove) himself as a striker. He came into the GSP fight wanting to pick him apart with his newfound Muay Thai skills, unfortunately GSP is so well rounded that he decided to “out wrestle the wrestler”. Kosckecks most impressive victory to date IMO is when he fought Johnathan Goulet. He overpowered him with his wrestling THEN he proceeded to pound him out. He did rock him first with an overhand right, but aside from that, he’s not looked all that impressive as a striker.
If Koscheck can bring all his skills together and become more well rounded (yet too see strong submission skills) then he will be the 2nd best welterweight in the division (behind GSP). I know Fitch is a powerhouse but I still think Koscheck is better than him. I think he is more aggressive than Fitch, has better wrestling credentials, and knows what its like to be in the cage with TOP competition (GSP).[/quote]
I must say that I agree with the first paragraph, but disagree with the second. Kos might have better college wrestling credentials than Jon Fitch, but he is by no means a better mma fighter than Jon Fitch, especially at this point in thier careers. Kos’s striking is still only beginning to approach average. I would say that Fitch has slightly above average striking giving him the edge. Kos is scared to use his wrestling when fighting BJJ fighters because he is terrified of getting submitted because he is weak there. However, Jon Fitch is very confident in his BJJ and always takes down the BJJ fighters. Kos would not take down Diego in thier second figth unless there was 10 seconds remaining in the round. Fitch had Diego on his back for 75% of the fight. Fitch also brought the Roan Carniero fight to the ground as well. Fitch is much more confident than Kos, and his MMA skills are better than Kos;s in my opinion. I would love to see a Fitch/Kos fight to see the outcome. I think that Fitch would be about a -180 favorite to win the fight.[/quote]
Great post Violentmike: E veryone talks about how great Koschek’s striking has improved, and it has, but that doesnt mean that he is some world class striker. He still relies to much on Haymakers and doesnt put together combo’s enough. VM: Also brought up a great point…what good is it being a great wrestler if you are scared to go to the ground against Ju jitsu fighters. He was petrafied of taking Diego down, Fitch spent the whole fight against Diego on the ground, and looked really comfortable.
Koschek needs to be very worried about this fight against Lytle. Lytle is 10 times the striker that Josh is and Lytle has excellent ju jitsu.
I will be very curious to see what Koschek’s game plan will be against Lytle because standing up or on the ground, this is a bad match up for Koschek.
I like lytle to pull off the upset! Cant wait to see what the odds for this will be.
To me Koschek has to beat Diego, before I am ready to acknowledge him as a top 5 welterweight. His BS win over Diego is what put him on the map, and we all know that wasn’t the real diego. Beating Diego is what put Kos on the map, getting a big fight against GSP. I still dont know he can beat Diego, so I dont even feel that he was worthy of fighting GSP.
Until he proves himself against a healthy Diego, he still sits outside the top 5 in my book.
Koschek vs. Marcus Davis would be awesome as well and maybe we will get to see it when Marcus defeats Swick
[quote comment="396817"]I like Kos although, his standup needs a lot of improvement if he wants any kind of title shot. As for Fitch, he just has no game on GSP, in any department. No matter what, Fitch needs to fight at least one TOP comp. (and win) to get his title shot. Fitch has been super-hyped by the UFC to make him super-hero like. Other than Alves, he has only faught cans. Yes Sanchez too. Maybe Joe Silva should call Wilson back so he can decisively takout Kos and Fitch so that Karo and Alves can maintain that second tier behind GSP.[/quote]
Sanchez is a top fighter, the WW division is extremely competitive, Wilson is a huge 170 and will continue in the UFC. Oh yeah by the way Alves is a great WW but he had an L after Fitch… so Alves must be a can, right?
I get tired of reading opinions that feel the WW division is full of cans with exception of two or three fighters. The excitement of the WW’s is that any fight can be changed with one good shot or one false move. GSP is the perfect example of what can go wrong.
Lytle all the way!
I don’t really buy kos’s humble act, not that that’s the way you judge fighters, judge them by the way they fight, by all means. Everything else is secondary, but he will always be a meathead in my eyes. His stand-up skills are improving, but nothing to get all excited about.
Lytle is finally the fighter he has always had the potential to be. Him being a cool guy is a bonus.
Get’em Lytle!!
just a reminder, kos dropped hazlenut with that high kick, and had the quick reflexes and presence of mind to jump on him, and finish him in a matter of SECONDS! Keep in mind, they both fell at the same time. His standup has arrived! Kos should leave AKA and go to Ceaser Gracies camp (still in the bay area) and focus on his BJJ. Adding the BJJ and GNP dimensions to his game would be the last pieces of the puzzle, and he will have no problem beating Fitch.
About time this the first time I have heard a guy agree to fight his teammate…Hey it is business…Be friends afterwards…
[quote comment="396311"]15 straight wins, eight of which are inside the Octagon, since 2003. That’s five years, which should be like dog years in MMA. I’m biased for sure, but what else is there to prove for Fitch … the numbers don’t lie. And if Karo is the only person left to prove that Fitch is legit, I think that ship sailed when Karo asked for an easier opponent. That’s proof in and of itself if you ask me. But this is about Koscheck — FOCUS.[/quote]
I agree. Fitch has nothing left to prove at all. He has been due for a title shot for months now, and I would give him a decent chance against GSP. Fitch would beat Serra hands down. I hope we see Fitch in a championship fight before the year is out.
Oops, you said “focus” LOL.
Koscheck is a good fighter, but I don’t think he’ll ever be the WW champ. He wouldn’t beat Fitch and he already lost to GSP. I’m glad Kos is back in the UFC; but he’ll always be a gatekeeper.
yes fitch has had an 8-0 record in the ufc and i dont dislike fitch, but i think diego has been the only true contender opponent he has beat on his way to the title IMO. I just cant b convinced yet until he beats hughes, serra, karo, or even KOS. that would just reassure me that he has beat 2 guys that are right up there battling for that title shot! if he beats any of those, then he has my full support, until then, i for some reason will still have that doubt. i hope he does so i can truly say hes really deserving to fight the champ.
[quote comment="396420"]i like the fact that kos and fitch would be willing to fight each other. it’s kinda of annoying how other fighters say our friendship is worth more than a couple of dollars and other BS like that. don’t look at as a fight then, look at it as compitition. fighters already beat up each other everyday in training, why not do it for money. the best fighters should fight the best fighters, regardless of relationships.[/quote]
i agree that fighters from the same camp should fight eachother if there is title implications. i hate it when guys wont fight team mates or training partners. i would like too see P.Filo vs. A.Silva,but they wont fight each other.
[quote comment="396441"]I love Kos and would like to see him hold that belt one day…that is after GSP moves up and takes Silva’s belt ….[/quote]
there is no way in hell that george will take Andersons belt. i dont know why people think that he can move up to 185 and win. he couldnt even handle the punching power of M.Serra. if he went up a weight class he would get KOed by any one with above average striking ability. george has never fought any good strikers. hes famous for beating wrestlers. IMO the 2 best strikers in the WW div. are Mike Quick Swick & the Irish Hand Grenade Marcus Davis. IMO either one of these guys could KO george.
[quote comment="397359"][quote comment="396420"]i like the fact that kos and fitch would be willing to fight each other. it’s kinda of annoying how other fighters say our friendship is worth more than a couple of dollars and other BS like that. don’t look at as a fight then, look at it as compitition. fighters already beat up each other everyday in training, why not do it for money. the best fighters should fight the best fighters, regardless of relationships.[/quote]
i agree that fighters from the same camp should fight eachother if there is title implications. i hate it when guys wont fight team mates or training partners. i would like too see P.Filo vs. A.Silva,but they wont fight each other.
[quote comment="396441"]I love Kos and would like to see him hold that belt one day…that is after GSP moves up and takes Silva’s belt ….[/quote]
there is no way in hell that george will take Andersons belt. i dont know why people think that he can move up to 185 and win. he couldnt even handle the punching power of M.Serra. if he went up a weight class he would get KOed by any one with above average striking ability. george has never fought any good strikers. hes famous for beating wrestlers. IMO the 2 best strikers in the WW div. are Mike Quick Swick & the Irish Hand Grenade Marcus Davis. IMO either one of these guys could KO george.[/quote]
When mentioning the best strikers at welterweight, you cant leave out Tiago Alves’s Muy Tai. Lytle’s stand up is amazing as well.
This is the 1st time I heard Kos say that he was willing to fight Fitch. Until now he has said, that he would not want to fight Fitch because freindship is more important, now he changes his mind because he knows he will never be ranked above Fitch and be in the position for a title fight, so at some point, if he wants the title he will have to go through Fitch.
So I am not ready to praise him just yet! We will train for the fight together? RETARD!