UFC 106: Dustin Hazelett vs. Karo Parisyan

by "Mr. NC-17" on Aug 24, 2009 10:23 PM EDT

Dustin Hazelett and Karo Parysian have agreed to terms to fight per MMA Weekly.

This is a pretty odd fight, but both fighters are coming off layoffs, one for testing positive for pain killing medicine and also Hazelett who severely injured himself before his UFC 96 fight against Ben Saunders. This fight is pitting two fighters that have a lot to gain, and a lot to lose. Karo is starting to become a less known household name, and is starting to become irrelevant to the mainstream MMA fan. While he has loads of potental, his cardio and his work ethic has really derailed his UFC career as of late. Also with Hazzelett being injured, this is a tough fight for him to test his injury. Karo if he shows up at 75% will still give Hazelett a huge problem due to his incredible judo throws and relentess in your face style. Should be a very interesting match-up.

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I love Karo

but he either needs to seriously pack on some muscle and revamp his training, or drop to LW. Because at it stands right now, he’s a little too small for WW, but having a lower base helps with Judo.

At any rate, he is at an impasse in his career, and has to step up his game

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by ElliotMatheny on Aug 24, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

He's doughy at WW.

I would love to see Karo drop to 155 – he would be a new and different type of challenge for the little guys.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Aug 25, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

The only thing is

that if he dropped to LW, he wouldn’t have the advantage of being the same height/ shorter than his opponents, which is a good attribute to have.

Also, as we’ve seen with guys like Bisping and Kampmann, dropping in weight class doesn’t solve the problem of having sub-par punching power, and Karo has been known as a guy without finishing power in the past. IMO, sometimes it’s a better idea for someone with power issues to bulk up instead of just cutting down; case in point- Machida.

Machida had trouble finishing people despite the fact that he landed flush counters on a regular basis; now that he’s been strength training (and developing a true LHW body, instead of dropping to MW which many people thought he should do), all those counters that he used to land now have knockout power, and look what’s happened to his last 2 opponents (Silva and Rashad, both victims of brutal KO’s). ’

The point is, I think Karo would be better off packing on like 5-10 lbs. of lean muscle, and obviously cutting the fat he has right now. His cardio has always been very good, so it’s just an issue of adding the power (both grappling and striking related) that he’ll need to compete with guys like Kos, Stun Gun (who won their fight, IMO), Fitch, Rumble Johnson, and GSP.

At any rate, he just needs to do SOMETHING in order to jump start his stagnating career.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Aug 25, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

To clarify

in that first paragraph, I mean that having a stocky build is useful in Judo. Having a lower center of gravity is an advantage

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Aug 25, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I got that - that makes a lot of sense.

Karo just looks pudgy – much like watching Joe Stevenson fight at 170 (I saw one of those over the weekend – how did he ever think that was the right weight for him?)

Pack on more lean muscle and stay at 170 – good idea for Karo.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Aug 25, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I would love to see Karo come back with a strong showing, I think he is a very entertaining fighter who still has a lot of potential.

But if you are stupid, you will be beaten with a stick - Proverbs 10:13

by Ominous on Aug 25, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions

Good to see that Karo will be back by the end of the year, this will be a good test since Dustin has alot of hype and a win over him would get him back in line as a WW title contender.

by Raker on Aug 25, 2009 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

Hazelett

I’m a bit surprised that the UFC is making this fight. Hazelett is a great talent, and Karo needs to get back on track. Both are marketable fighters with a lot to gain and lot to lose. I’m disturbed, given that WW in the UFC is so deep, that Joe Silva is putting these two guys together.

I’d certainly hope that the UFC has a long-term plan for fighters, but these types of fights seem to contradict the idea that the UFC has a “plan” for either of these guys. We see some fighters get protected and given fights that stylistically are perfect for them, then we see “you pick ’em” fights like this one between two guys who could be a big deal in the promotion.

I don’t get it.

Thoughts?

by PackMMA on Aug 25, 2009 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

i like both fighters

i was a huge Karo fan, up until i saw how he reacted to the Alves loss. He is a good fighter, but it is true he has no finish. yes i would like to see Karo get bigger at WW, he needs to have more power(tim allen anyone?)
I like hazelett in this fight because he is patient and has a fighters intelligence, given his talent and his ability to submit people, he will come out with the win. Karo just doesn’t seem to have…….the desire i guess, to really get back into contention. I see hazelett taking this with a 3rd round sub, if not taking the decision.

good luck in life!

by georgehouse on Aug 26, 2009 1:54 AM EDT reply actions