Fresh off a victory over Josh Burkman at UFC 71, welterweight Karo Parisyan feels he deserves a shot at the 170-pound title.
With six wins in his last seven fights -- including one over current champion Matt Serra -- "The Heat" does have a valid argument.
Timing, however, is not on his side.
Serra is slated to face Matt Hughes in late fall after taping for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 -- both of whom are opposing coaches -- wraps up. And the winner of the Georges St. Pierre/Josh Koscheck UFC 74 bout in August will more than likely get the first crack at the winner of Serra-Hughes.
Accordingly, Parisyan will have to wait until at least early 2008 for his opportunity to challenge for the strap.
So what will he do in the meantime? Perhaps fight Jon Fitch -- albeit reluctantly -- according to MMAWeekly.com.
Here's a snip from Parisyan:
"I would love to fight Fitch. I'll fight anybody at 170. I took the Josh Burkman fight. He was ranked top 10 in the world. Anyone who's top 10, I'll fight. Even me beating Jon Fitch, and I fight him and I beat him, I don't gain anything. He's a tough guy. I'm not underestimating Fitch. But still, I don't gain anything beating Fitch, but I would fight Fitch. I want to fight for a title."
Fitch will be in action less than one week from today against Roan Carneiro at UFC Fight Night 10 on June 12 at the Seminole Hotel Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. With a win in front of a national television audience on Spike television, it would no doubt do wonders for his name recognition among casual fans.
It would also help build an insane showdown between two top fighters at 170.
And one that we here at UFCmania, as well as countless fans across the nation, have been clamoring to see booked for some time now.
At this point Carneiro appears to be the only one standing between Karo Parisyan vs. Jon Fitch sometime later this year.
I just got nervous.