The Sad Decline of Karo Parisyan: Drugs, Money and a Fall From Grace

What a sad story. I guess I am just being naive at this point but I still hold out hope that he can find a way to turn this around for himself.

Excellent excellent excellent piece Mr Snowden.

You are on fire today. Keep up the good work.

I think he could still make a good living fighting, who knows.

Not always your biggest fan Snowden but what a brilliant piece. Maybe Karo will turn it around but reading some of the things he’s said it sounds very unlikely

Thank Christ he’s not able to make a living fighting in unsanctioned MMA bouts. That was one of the worst things about PRIDE – Karo could’ve fought there on whatever cocktails he wanted and never be forced to face his demons.

Why do you care about Koscheck? No one knows how much he makes off sponsors, appearances and TUF. People always over spend you don’t need to be a famous athlete to do it.

I have had mixed feelings about Karo over the years as he bounced from borderline arrogant to a troubled and afflicted fighter. When the news came out about Karo’s panic attacks that held the key to a great deal of answers but it still left somethings in shades of gray. Even after the failed test, suspension, release etc…he would surface with bravado about his return to glory. The person who entered the cage in Auburn Hills is a far cry from the kid that slugged it out with Diego Sanchez but eventually we have to accept as does Karo…that even with help he would be lucky to simply salvage a happy life. I fear that Karo will chase the “what could have beens” far too long before he worries about just being okay. Best wishes but even the look on Hallman’s face told you something was far off course.

Judo will be forever remembered in this sport thru you Karo. Thanks Man. Get well.

This was so sad to read. This was missing violin music.

In many cases like this, I have trouble “feeling sorry” for the people, and I don’t much here. With that said, I will pull for him to get/keep it together and rediscover himself. If he finds that fire again, dude is tough.

It’s time for him to find a different path in life. Until he turns that page he’s likely to be stuck in repeat, making the same mistakes over and over again.

I really wanted Karo to beat Hallman just so we could see a return to form with him. Seeing him in the cage at UFC 123, you could tell just physically that Karo wasn’t there anymore. I don’t think that he should be fighting, but maybe training others or something could be in his future.

It’s sad, really. I mean, think of this… if you’re broke, even if you’ve paid for your $3 mil home completely, how are you going to afford the property taxes on it? This sport can turn a guys career to a memory in a hurry.

Karo looked like he did absolutely zero physical training for that fight. Not just because he was flabby and soft, but if you look at his arms, even his triceps looked atrophied… needs intreatment.

But I hated reading it. I hope Karo somehow manages to beat this but I fear sometimes Opiates can be more powerful than human will to abstain from them.

The thing is, he can still make a living through the sport.

He’s world class at Judo, and not many people have been able to translate their Judo to MMA like Karo has.

Training other fighters is going to be the way for fighters, who aren’t able to fight competitively anymore, to stay relevant and make money throught this sport.

Keep him around for one more fight. Feed him to Nate Diaz and see the fur fly. I feel for Karo but really he has done it to himself. He wants to make one more paycheck I say Nate Diaz. Brush off the “Do you know who I am Bro” footage and sell it in a fight night show.

Heres to hoping he can make a living as a coach. He has a lot to offer current fighters.

My only fear is that his judo techniques are too difficult to teach to someone who hasn’t spent 15 years practicing.

…need to listen to Joe Rogan’s bit on “Talking Monkeys flying through space on a rock”.

Then they’ll be fine.

I try not to take anything too seriously, because after all, short of being the human who decides to drop a nuke on half the world, no one person is going to leave an everlasting impact. At least not anymore.

Arguably Jesus Christ has had the biggest and longest lasting impact of any human being, but he sunk his hooks in when we were still pretty darn gullible and primitive. Is he going to be remembered in another 500 years? 1000?

And when you consider some of the humans in recent history who left a mark on the world, it’s only been 50 years since Hitler and short of the history books and some monuments there is almost no trace of him.

I was just hoping Nate was going to write it. No offense Snowden, I would have just liked to have heard it coming from Karo’s biggest fan.

That ESPN article is very good, thanks for pointing that one out.

And from personal experience with people who suffer from anxiety disorders a hearty “shut up!” to the guys thinking all it takes is to “suck it up” to get over this. You are showing pantheon levels of cluelessness, f*******

Great fighter who put on some memorable fights. I’ll miss him.