Karo Parisyan Discusses His Comeback, Anxiety, and Medication
by Tim Burke on May 9, 2011 11:41 AM EDT
in MMA Interview
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PrintA very interesting video interview from hyefighters.com with Karo Parisyan surfaced today. Karo is returning to MMA for the first time he was quickly finished by Dennis Hallman at UFC 123 in November, when he faces Ryan Ford at MMA Live 1 on May 19th. The interviewer states that he's a friend of Karo's and has been for a while, but he asks some hard and direct questions that lead to some very interesting answers. Karo comes across as relaxed, well-spoken, and humble in the interview, where he discusses everything from his anxiety to his problems with prescription medication and how he got the fight with Ford. Check it out.
A few quotes:
"We're back to square one again. Last time I said certain stuff, oh I'm this, I'm that...I wanna make my comeback, I wanna do this, I wanna do that...obviously nothing ever happened. I was fighting demons for about three years, a lot of bad stuff in my personal life, and these demons are the ones that won't leave you alone."
"So are the demons behind you now?"
"Yeah sort of. I'm looking back and they still wanna wave at me and I'm flipping them off. At the time being I'm training, I look healthier, I'm training."
"Much more focused, realizing what my problems were, trying to get rid my problems, got rid of my problems, almost 80% of the problems I had. This is life, you're always gonna have problems, but don't make it a problem where it's going to cost you your destiny, or it's going to be kinda like that problem that's gonna end a career or a life, you know, stay away from those problems. Other problems here and there, chicks, broads, wife, whatever...those problems can always be worked out. Problems where, you know, you're straight on against a bullet and stuff, you gotta figure out which way to go, you wanna stay away from those problems, and that's what I'm tryin to do."
"Speaking of anxiety, how are you dealing with that now?"
"I'm fine, I don't have anxiety, I feel fine. I'm in Vegas for a week training. Before that I used to force myself to go and get in bed, just sleep and count the days until I can go home. Now I just go chill, train, etc. Everything's fine."
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I hope it takes this time...
I know people are tired of hearing him say he is better, but I wish him only the best.
People with issues usually say that in a Jon-Jonesesque way: they try to speak things into reality. It just so happens to be that they're also trying to convince themselves.
Let’s just hope Karo walks away from that cag efeeling like he gave his all. That would be a good way to start.
by Unabomberman on May 9, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
it won't
Anxiety cannot be cured, you can feel better through exercise and staying away from drugs, alcohol, caffeine and sugar. But you will always have it to some degree, I had it to the point where I wouldn’t want to leave the house, panic attacks and everything. Something as simple as standing in a line full of people would kill me and most of the time I would have to just walk out. After taking the anxiety pills I decided to just quit them, exercise and stay away from things that boost anxiety levels and I feel completely normal now, but still feel a slight bit anxious at times. I have no idea how he managed to fight in a cage in front of thousands.
I really hope he has the right people around him to always support him. I just saw The Fighter last night and it was kind of sad when nobody was willing to help out Dicky and how it affected Micky Ward’s career.
They made a video game about Yakuzas. It’s called Yakuza. And it’s about Yakuza
gocyborg.com
That generation of fighter...
That generation of fighters – Karo, Leben, the Diaz bros, Sanchez, Cote, Serra, Stevens, they seem haunted, lost, confused. Always on “the verge” of greatness. Some (Serra) taste it for a moment and then falter.
My thought is that they came into stardom in the wake of Chuck and Tito but being somewhat younger didn’t quite have the maturity to absorb fame while maintaining focus.
I have always felt that Karo was the best judoka in MMA and destined for a championship. This is “do-over” number… two? three? for him. I am anxious to see how he fares in his upcoming match.
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
Mohandas Gandhi
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
Muhammad Ali
"If MMA is like dog fighting, those are some pretty fucking smart dogs."
"I don’t want to lick any butt."
GSP
Lol you said anxious.
Fitch is awesome, I don't care what you think...
Bones Jones, future greatest MMAist ever.
How many times have we heard this stuff now?
I used to love watching karo’s fights and id love him to get that back but Its diffcult to see after all the crap hes produced the last few years.
UFC should never have brought him back after 1 fight outside that he still suffered problems for. He came back in looking horrible and fighting even worse.
Get Well Karo
I think we all would like to see him do well, but I think it’s someone ironic that the interview is for ‘HYE’ fighters. Did you all see what I did there?
As someone who's also constantly battling anxiety...
I hope he truly has been able to overcome it. Those who haven’t ever been affected by it don’t know how badly of an imprisoning feeling it is.
Fitch is awesome, I don't care what you think...
Bones Jones, future greatest MMAist ever.
I'm right with you zakkree.
I always thought I was fighting it by myself because I could never explain to anyone what I was going through and what I was feeling. Then I finally found a doctor who immediately made it clear to me he knew what I was going through and most importantly I was not alone in this fight.
I have gotten better with help and I hope the same for everyone else that is fighting it.
Just BE.
by mattman73 on May 9, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It's always refreshing to see others who face similar problems, although I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
That’s one of the most frustrating things is trying to explain it to my friends and family, who can’t fathom what’s wrong and kind of just think I’m being a pussy.
Fitch is awesome, I don't care what you think...
Bones Jones, future greatest MMAist ever.
Same here.
I suffer from severe anxiety…takes 20 minutes just to work up courage to go to the mailbox. It ruins everything. Impossible to work, get groceries, hang out with friends, and anything else without having serious panic and worry issues. Plus you cant sleep for very long, and thats even if youre able to finally go to sleep…it can take HOURS. I used to tranquilize myself with muscle relaxers…OD on them just to knock myself out. Now im on Prozac and still battling. Its brutal.
Couple this with the several concussions I had in my sports days and its a pretty miserable life. And im only 24. Im amazed that Karo was able to do the things he has.
by Slica on May 9, 2011 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m the same way, the littlest things that need done become such a burden because I’m constantly trapped by negative feelings towards them, worried about the worst possible outcome. I used to shoot out of bed like I was having a heart attack as soon as I fell asleep, but I eventually grew out of it, thankfully. It’s an extremely difficult and intricate process that needs to be taken one step at a time to achieve the normal life one deserves. And I’m 23, right around the same age as you, so I really want to do my best to control it before it puts a burden on the rest of my life.
Fitch is awesome, I don't care what you think...
Bones Jones, future greatest MMAist ever.
by zakkree on May 9, 2011 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
That sounds terrible
I really do hope that you fare well in your endeavours to battle anxiety.
I hope Karo really does get better.
Even if he isn’t fighting. Anxiety is no joke. He was always a lot of fun to watch. I wish him the best.
he rambles quite abit
would be nice to see a Karo comeback, but torn hamstring, ambigious anxiety issues probably won’t make us see it.
by elmojo on May 9, 2011 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I've heard this all before.
He reminds me of my junkie cousin.
Lots of promises, you hope he’s for real, but you don’t hold your breath.
Learn JiuJitsu, it's fun.
ROCKY MARCIANO 49-0 HW Champion of the World.
Karo won't steal your car stereo
and maybe this time it will take. There is no harm in wishing that he makes good, if only for himself.
I'll be rooting for you Karo
Matt Janecek
MBA Candidate, 2011
An MBA on MMA: mixed martial arts thru the lens of business
mba-mma.blogspot.com
When you see stuff like this it really makes me see how tough the life of a fighter is, the ups and downs , and how low the lows are… Fighters are usually not the most sane , balanced people, and you can see how they are so " top of the world " to " less than nothing" so quickly. We view these guys as entertainment, but we should also treat them as human beings as they are as well…
by p123 on May 9, 2011 5:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
“So are the demons behind you now?”
“Yeah sort of. I’m looking back and they still wanna wave at me and I’m flipping them off. At the time being I’m training, I look healthier, I’m training.”
“Yeah sort of” isn’t exactly an answer that gives me hope that he’s finally sorted his problems out. But whatever, good luck Karo! At your best, you were a very exciting to watch!
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