Karo Parisyan Thinks Dustin Hazelett Is a Good Match-Up

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 30, 2009 6:01 PM EDT in MMA News

I think it’s a great style for me. It’s a great matchup. I eat Jiu Jitsu guys for breakfast a lot of times. He’s tough and he’s got really good Jiu Jitsu and good standup. He’s a well-rounded fighter, but I have fought 2 and 3-time Jiu Jitsu world champion guys man. And I’m a grappler myself so I really have some surprises for him. I have a tremendous respect for Dustin as an opponent. I don’t know him as a person, but he looks like a nice guy.

- Karo Parisyan speaking to FightHype about his upcoming UFC 106 fight with Dustin Hazelett (HT: MMAMania). This is the very definition of a "must win fight" for Karo. Coming off a TKO loss and a win that was overturned because of a positive drug test Karo can't afford to drop this fight.

Many people forget that the way Karo incorporaed Judo into MMA was revolutionary. There are a lot of negatives that one can focus in on if you want such as the lack of finishing ability displayed in his time with the UFC or the lack of personal ownership of his issues but I still think about the awesome kimura win against Dave Strasser and hope that we see Karo at his best.

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Bro.

by Nick Thomas on Oct 30, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs

cool Goldfinger song

by Grappo on Oct 31, 2009 5:30 AM EDT up reply actions

The finish on Strasser has always been one of my favorites. Here’s to hoping we see a highlight submission when this fight happens.

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on Oct 30, 2009 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

I just hope we see Karo ‘The Heat’ return, not Karo ‘the lazy and drug addled’. From 2003-2006, the guy was a pleasure to watch. He set an awesome pace and just wore people out with his intensity.

Karo needs to realize that as you get older, you have to bust your ass to keep your cardio at a high level. Karo was never known as a hard worker, and doing the same thing in your late 20s that you did in your late teens and early 20s won’t cut it anymore.

by Steve4192 on Oct 30, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Its amazing how many guys won’t accept that. Understandable given human nature, but somehow still amazing in the professional world of MMA.

by asa on Oct 30, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I can only imagine how much work Randy puts in.

by MMA_Messiah on Oct 30, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

God if Karo loses, Rogan might commit suicide.

by lateralus08 on Oct 30, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I, too, like the Strasser finish, but that’s GSP in the white tights. Just sayin’ is all.

by Luke Thomas on Oct 30, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah.

God that fight must have been demoralizing for Karo. I remember when he had that armbar (couldve been another one) and it looked pretty tight but GSP’s just gone “nope” and pulled it out and started beating on him again.

This shirt is "dry clean only", which means it's dirty.

by Sam Cupitt on Oct 30, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Stylistically its probably a good matchup because i would expect Karo to have better wrestling and takedowns/takedown defense as well as striking which would make Hazelett’s awesome jiu jitsu useless. However, if you want to look at the matchup of gameplanning and preperation i think Hazelett’s got a big advantage. If Karo comes in sloppy like he has recently i think Hazelett’s got his number. I know hes been working his ass off to get back in shape and be ready for this matchup. Makes this a really tough fight to call.

by Rabbit915 on Oct 30, 2009 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

This is gonna be a great fight

And I hope very badly that Karo has learned the lesson that BJ and Vera have seemed to— that MMA at their level, making their kind of money is a full-time, dedicated proposition. He’s already said he’s out of the clubs, but that was before the Stun Gun fight. He has the ability to be a top-5 welterweight in the world and may even be one of the only people in the world that could pose some unique issues for GSP. His dedication has always been the problem and this might be his last chance to right the ship.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Oct 30, 2009 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

i saw him few days ago he LOOKS GOOD lean and mean :)

by 1WAYtiket on Oct 30, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

http://mmavideolinks.to/fighter-videos/91/1278-karo-parisyan-vs-dave-strasser.html

Visit MMAEruption.com!

by MMAEruption on Oct 30, 2009 5:44 PM EDT reply actions

i liked karo parisyan's judo throw of diego sanchez in their fight

he was actually winning that fight until diego knocked out his tooth with a knee kick to the jaw. they love to show it in slow motion on ufc unleashed. i still like parisyan to win this fight.

by wolfmanshowlforever on Oct 30, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

Karo’s biggest problem with the judo throws is that he sells out positioning in order to get the spectacular ippon. Most of his throws look fantastic, but all too often his opponent just gets right back up because Karo went flying along with him. Meanwhile, the more conservative judo guys in the sport almost always secure dominant position after a throw.

I love his u;tra-aggressive judo style, but he might have to tone it down a bit if he wants to get back to the top of the heap.

by Steve4192 on Oct 30, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

KARO rep for my cousin

i saw Karo few days ago he looks in shape, lot of people count him out but im sure he will win. GO CUZZZZZ !

by 1WAYtiket on Oct 30, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

manny?

is that you, ya lil pitbull?

by bluejitz on Oct 30, 2009 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Cant wait to see Karo in action again, he was one of the first few MMA guys i watched fight when i started to watch UFC way back when.

Expecting him to win by decision but sure hope he can get a finish.

by Pennywise on Oct 30, 2009 6:37 PM EDT reply actions

God damn I hope Karo comes back. I love Hazelett, but Karo’s the one that got me into MMA.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Oct 30, 2009 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

not me....

judo throwing a guy for 15 min. is not my cup of tea!! lol

Everyone has a game plan, untell they get hit.

by mma is #1 on Oct 30, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I love when Karo has his throw game on heavy on his opponents. I hope he can win this and get back in the title picture

by HighNoon on Oct 30, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Karo is actually right in his assessment. Stylistically, this is not that bad of a matchup for him. Hazelett is taller and his striking is improving, but the ground game is where Hazelett excels, however, Karo is no slouch on the ground as well. If Karo wins this, then I can see it by decision through using judo throws and top control. However, Hazelett is no joke and can easily win this as well, and I would imagine that Hazelett MAY be the hungrier of the two.

by chrisbboy82 on Oct 30, 2009 7:31 PM EDT reply actions

Karo should dominate this fight, this is going to be a great test to see where his head is at when it deals with him and his mma career. It’s time for Karo to stop living off talent and get focused on being the best fighter that he can be and step 1 is to take out Dusting and get his career back on track.

by Raker on Oct 30, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions