Karo Parisyan Is in a Must-Win Position at UFC 94
by Michael Rome on Jan 27, 2009 9:19 PM EST
in MMA News
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Everyone is rightly focused on the main event of UFC 94, but there are a number of intriguing matches on the card below it. One of the most intriguing is Karo Parisyan vs. Dong Hyun Kim.
A year or so ago, Karo was just one win away from a title fight at 170. After losing to Thiago Alves and canceling a fight in September, a number of people have questioned whether his heart is really in it. There are also a number of questions about Dong, who came into the UFC with a lot of hype and got off to a good start, but nearly dropped the ball at UFC 88 with a close decision win over Matt Brown.
Both guys are only a win away from getting into the mix of contenders at 170. Neither is close to a title shot, and Karo probably won't even take one now that he trains with GSP, but he badly needs a win both for his ranking status and for his own self confidence.
Karo spoke with Fight Hype, where he made his intentions very clear:
"I'm going to come out from bell to bell and just try to crush him. I want to run through him like a tractor, bro; like a tank....I have to bring the old Karo back. I have to bring that aggressive style back to be a contender and become a champion."
Both men are well versed in judo, which should make for a very interesting fight. Karo has the better judo pedigree, but Dong is no slouch. Hopefully this marks the return of exciting Karo Parisyan fights.
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judo vs judo is bad match making
unlike wrestling vs wrestling which tend to be very exciting.
judo vs judo matches tend to be lame stalemates on the feet as each fighter can stymie the other man’s throws.
it’s alot like bjj vs bjj matches that tend to suck since neither man will go to the ground OR if they do it’s a boring stalemate in the guard.
you’d think joe silva would’ve figured that out after the karo vs chonan match.
even thiago alves managed to shut down karo’s game after only a a few weeks of training with judo star Rhadi Ferguson.
If Stun Gun fought like Karo, I would agree with you. But he is more than just a judoka, and his first preference is usually to circle and try to catch people with his reach. I don’t think Kim will try to clinch with Karo at all; he is more likely to keep it standing for the majority of the fight, and shoot in for takedowns if he sees them.
Uhh, I don’t know about that. If you haven’t seen a lot of what Kim can do from DEEP, then it’s tough to say against someone like Karo. The problem is that Karo is a terrible finisher, and I’d be more inclined to think Kim could potentially punch his lights out. The problem for Kim is that… yes, he’ll stick to his reach and pepper Karo more so than actually throwing the big shot.
So, in a sense, it could go either way. There is one thing I don’t agree with though… How is this a must-win for Karo? In a sense that he’ll lose a lot of standing in the division?
After all, he did lose to who is NOW the #1 contender. I think if he loses to Kim, he’ll be one fight away from ejection.
Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com
by Leland Roling on Jan 28, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
They have been trying to match Karo with the best judokas they can find for awhile. First was Lombard at 78, which got turned into Chonan, then Yoshida, and now finally Kim. I got to admit, I don’t know why they’ve been doing it.
And Thiago’s ability to neutralize Karo’s judo was certainly helped by the fact that Parisyan was hardly in the best shape of his life (both mentally and physically).
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 27, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
I was pretty impressed by Kim when he beat Matt Brown (and fuck you, Atlanta fans, that was a clear decision). He’s just so…. squirrely. I don’t know how else to put it. Good luck, Karo.
by Derek Suboticki on Jan 27, 2009 9:38 PM EST reply actions
Karo
should follow Diego to 155. Similar frames and yeah he always seemed kind of out of shape.
I agree with you there
and there are a world of good fights for Karo at 155 — including rematches with Sherk and Diego. Two guys I have no doubt Karo could beat if he came in at his best.
yeah but Karo struggles making 170… I would be scared to see him at 155.
by "Mr. NC-17" on Jan 27, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions
I hope Karo takes this. He’s just one of those guys who “keeps a knockin but he can’t get in”. Even if he does get back into contention it’s not like he could get the belt (or anyone else at 170) – so I think it makes since for him to cut to 155 (not that he could get that belt either).
Come on Karo – drop a weight class. Eceryone’s doing it.
I think it’s an 8-fight contract.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 27, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
I really hope Karo pulls together.
I’m a big fan of his, hell just about anyone who can pull judo throws like that in MMA is exciting to me.
But his lack of focus lately has been worrisome.
Karo...
gon’ lose. Karo gon’ lose bad…
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 28, 2009 12:54 AM EST reply actions
Not to take anything away from Matt Brown, but he’s not a terrific fighter — and Dong Hyun Kim had trouble with him and somehow managed squeezed out a split decision. Kim should have finished that fight, and the fact that he didn’t proved to me (at least) that he is no match for The Heat.
This fight will end quickly, and it will be lights out for The Stun Gun.
This is the perfect fight to get Karo back into things, he’s gone through alot he had a horrible gameplan against Thiago and has gone through some other problems. But now he’s just signed a new deal with the UFC and has a very beatable opponent in a huge PPV show. I look forward to Karo being in title shot contention after this fight, his resume is top notch and an impressive win here could put up with another big name like Fitch or Kos.
Karo just hasn’t evolved, to be perfectly honest. He has ground and pound tactics that most guys nullify and escape, and he can’t seem to finish anyone on the floor. I honestly think he needs to hit the weight room a bit more and shred his body at 170 lbs. with some solid muscle to overpower guys.
His judo tactics work, but judo tactics in MMA usually GET YOU to a position. From that position, you have to learn how to finish and Karo hasn’t done that. Tough fight for Karo, better come prepared.
Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com
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