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Dana White: If Josh Koscheck is considering retirement, it 'might be a little premature'

Following UFC 167 UFC president Dana White said he received a text from Josh Koscheck that sounded like retirement, a move White thinks may be a premature for Koscheck

By Trent Reinsmith
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sp

The world was introduced to Josh Koscheck in 2005, when he appeared on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter. Eight years later, Koscheck is mired in he longest losing streak of his career, and to hear UFC president Dana White tell it, thinking about stepping away from the sport.

Koscheck's losing streak reached three straight on Saturday night when Tyron Woodley knocked out Koscheck in the first round of their UFC 167 contest. The fight which earned Woodley $50,000 for Knockout of the Night came to a close at the 4:38 mark of Round 1.

During the post-fight media scrum, White was asked if he had spoken to Koscheck after the loss. White replied:

He sent me a huge text and his text sounded a little bit like retirement. I don't ever mess with guys when they talk about retirement, but it might be a little premature for Josh. I think Josh is still one of the most talented guys out there.

I love Koscheck. I love that kid. I love the way he fights. I love his attitude. The guy gets booed out of the arena every time he comes in, but he still goes in and fights his ass off, and he's a tough kid. When you're standing in the Octagon, and you're looking across, and Josh is standing there you know you're in for a tough fight.

Where a three-fight losing streak may earn most fighters a quick pink slip from the UFC brass, as a TUF 1 alumnus, it sounds like Koscheck will not see his name on the release list after UFC 167. When asked about a possible release, White said:

I got to talk to him and see if that was a retirement text he sent me. Listen, people are going to say what they're going to say, but I got a soft spot for the (TUF) season 1 guys.

The knockout loss to Woodley was the second consecutive first round knockout loss for the 36-year old Koscheck, dropping his overall record to 17-8.

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