Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Pic)

by MMAmania.com on Apr 28, 2008 3:47 PM EDT

Josh Koscheck Jon Fitch

Top UFC welterweight contenders, Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck, took time away from training and their busy schedules to visit with wounded war veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, last week.

Both fighters -- American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) stablemates -- are sponsored by Oak Grove Technologies, which set up the visit, meet-and-greet and autograph session.

"Jon and Josh signed t-shirts for the soldiers, chatted with them, joked around, posed for pictures and then after the job fair we all went to visit soldiers at the Malone House," said Mariah Haworth, Marketing Coordinator at Oak Grove Technologies. "It was really nice to see all the smiles."

We'll have more on this outreach as soon as possible ... it's truly great stuff.

For now it's back to training -- Koscheck has a tough fight coming up against Chris Lytle at UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" on July 5 and Fitch more than likely has a looming showdown with reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, Georges St. Pierre, later this year.

To learn more about Oak Grove Technologies feel free to visit its Web site right here.

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Comments

I’ve hung out with both these guys and this doesn’t suprise me at all. Both of them are class acts %100. Cheers.

by Seamus on Apr 28, 2008 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

Here is a treat for all of you fans of STRIKING!* Check out this Cung Le highlite reel….its truley amazing! Mania, I want you to check it out as well!
Here is the link: www.myvideofight.com/video/other-rings/cung-le-fight-reel/index.html

by john on Apr 28, 2008 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

“For now it’s back to training — Koscheck has a tough fight coming up against Josh Koscheck at UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" on July 5 and Fitch "

er, … Koscheck is fighting himself? That’s going to be a BRAWL!

by E on Apr 28, 2008 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

Josh: We’re friends.. right Fitch?
Fitch: Sure Ko’s, why would you say somthin like that?
Josh: Let’s never fight eachother ok?
Fitch: Uhhhh…
Josh: Say Cheese’ for the Camera!

by THORAZINE on Apr 28, 2008 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

Nice. LMAO.
I don’t care how much community service Kosheck does, he is still the biggest a-hole in the UFC. I want to see Koscheck fight Davis so Davis can punch a hole in his head (if Lytle doesn’t do it first).

by bnf on Apr 28, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Davis, but he isnt in Kos’ league right now. Also, Lytle is gonna have big problems trying to avoid the takedowns. He couldnt defend Hughes’ takedowns and we wont be able to defend Kos’ either.

by TC on Apr 28, 2008 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

What is Kos’ league exactly? He is still just a wrestler. His submission defense has improved and his stand up is still novice at best. All he does is throw wild haymakers in his stand up, he has no concept of combo’s.

I actually dont think Kos and Davis are too far apart skill-wise. Actually, I think Davis has improved more than Kos since TUF.

Josh Koschek…… I am not impressed with any of your performances (In my GSP Accent)!!!

What has he done? He beat a half dead Diego who was so ill he was considering retiring from competition. What else has Kos done? He beat Hazlett who I am a fan of, but Dustin is no top 10 fighter (yet).

by john on Apr 28, 2008 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Koscheck is not a smart fighter. He will probably try to stand up with Lytle and throw those ridiclous over hand rights the whole time looking for the KO. His only chance is to resort back to his old, dry humping, self. Like I said he is not smart. Lytle Round 1 KO.

by bnf on Apr 28, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Have you seen kos fight…do you know MMA…do you order the cards, or do you just look at pics? I’m not going to waste my time talking with you other then this!!!

by Boss on Apr 28, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Kos’ striking has improved def. His striking is at the point that his opponent has to respect it enough, which gives him the opening for takedowns and groung and pound. Even when he was 1 dimensional, only wrestling, he took down opponents at will. So, with improved striking, it makes him that much better. Granted Diego was not 100%, most fighters are not 100% going into fights. Retirement rumors were swirling around Sanchez because of hepatitis concerns. Anyway, I’m looking forward to that rematch. Also, while GSP dominated Kos, it did go to decision. You cant say that about Hughes (in 2 of the fights in which he was dominated). Davis is exciting to watch, and I agree he has prob improved more than Kos, but Kos’ wrestling is just too good.

by TC on Apr 28, 2008 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree…I had more but Mania wont let me post it. BNF your way off

by Boss on Apr 28, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions

BNF: I am with you on this one. I absolutely LOVE Lytle as an upset pick in this fight. I cant wait to see what the odds are for Lytle.

Chris Lytle is a very under rated fighter. The guy was a boxer turned mma fighter and he now has some pretty good ju jitsu. Good enough to catch Kos in a submission, if and when Kos decides to take him down.

I will give you a very entertaining welterweight fight: Lytle vs. marcus Davis! Think about it, they are basically mirror images of each other. 2 dudes that started as boxers and have vastly improved ju jitsu. That would be an amazing fight!

Koschek’s whole rise, has been built on lies. Beating Diego put him on the map, and it shouldnt have because Diego was notr Diego. I know that no fighter enters a fight completely healthy, but lets be Honest…Diego had a very good excuse.

I am not going to sing Kos’ praise until I see him beat a staph infection-less Diego, and that fight wont happen for a while because Diego is going to beat Luigi and Kos is going to loose to Lytle.

by john on Apr 28, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

John, Sometime you post some great info…and by your comments make me think you know MMA, however you are way off on this.

by Boss on Apr 28, 2008 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I assume you are one of those guys that picks the favorite in every fight! Kos is the Favorite Fact! But if you think Lytle doesnt have lots of value as an upset pick, u r crazy!

by John on Apr 29, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Good to see guys giving back. My wife works at a V.A. hospital and tells me all the time about the vets that come into her pharmacy. This makes me like these guys for giving their time to the men and women protecting our rights and freedom.

I still don’t see how Fitch gets next title shot except because there isn’t anyone better. I think Diego has the best shot at GSP (besides BJ), but I guess when you lay and pray to victories, you get the shot

by kevin on Apr 28, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions

See Kevin, when you win 9 in a row you get the title shots, not when you get beat. Also, maybe if you watched more then the last two Fitch fights you’d have a different opinion.

by Arnold on Apr 28, 2008 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

ok arnold, and when GSP destroys him, you’ll say nothing. It’s like saying Karo deserved a shot, c’mon man, be realistic. Fitch wins yeah, but if you sleep with 10 fat chicks and 5 hookers, that doesn’t mean you’re a stud, does it??

by kevin on Apr 28, 2008 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Last time Fitch lost a fight was like 4 years ago, against a much heavier Wilson Gouveia….nuff said.

Fitch is a bad dude, who deserves to be the #1 contender for the welterweight title.

by john on Apr 28, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

There is no one in the ww div that deserves this shot more than fitch, period. Plus the fans have been asking for it for a long time.

Fitch beat diego in convincing fashion by most ppl’s opinion, altho diego may have a better style to match up against GSP – it doesnt make him more deserving than fitch, right now.

Sanchez might be next who knows – he’s strung a few wins since losing to KOS. I agree that no one other than BJ has a realistic chance at dethrowning GSP.

by jerrolds on Apr 28, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

kos actually lossed his next fight after kos to fitch and right now he is on a one fight winning streak with the win coming over david bielkdhen or how ever you spell his name. Diego needs to win atleast three more fights befor he gets a title shot in my opinion. And i honestly dont think he matches up well with st.pierre either. His striking is below kos’s and so is his wrestling so i dont see how he could beat gsp. then again i dont see how anybody could beat gsp right now

by matt on Apr 28, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

i mean diego lost his next fight not kos

by matt on Apr 28, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

matt – oh right, both kos and fitch beat him down…diego is a few wins away from earning a title shot.

I can see them giving Karo a chance before Diego – even losing to alves, he still ~~had~~ an actual title shot. Dana/UFC owes him a chance, i guess.

by jerrolds on Apr 28, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL are you joking jerrolds?? Karo?? Karo “I lay on guys cause I’m fat” Parisian?? He deserves a shot against kaleb starnes maybe…better yet give him a shot in the wec and then I don’t need to hear this BS anymore. Carlos condit (who couldn’t touch any of the top ww’s in the UFC would beat Karo….LOL, Karo?

by kevin on Apr 28, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

basically I was laughing at you jerrolds (if you’re serious) at giving karo a shot. He tosses and lays on guys. He would get a beatdown in thw wec!! and thats where I’d like to see him

by kevin on Apr 28, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Kevin, you must be joking? “Karo "I lay on guys cause I’m fat" Parisian” are you kidding me? Karo would work DS…to much skills.

by Boss on Apr 28, 2008 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

you mean like he did the first time boss (when he lost his tooth) or did you forget that one?? good post though, A+ for effort!!

by kevin on Apr 28, 2008 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

kevin, reading comprehension is lacking huh? i never actually claimed that karo before diego should be the case.

Re-read the tone and context of my comment – i never fought for karo going before diego, i merely said i would understand if they did because they already promised him a title shot but he got injured.

by jerrolds on Apr 29, 2008 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s exactly how you get a title shot. When there is nobody better, it puts you in the place of number one contender. When your number one contender, you get title shot. Unless of course, you fight at 205 and your name is Forrest.

by James S on Apr 28, 2008 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

True that…..

by Boss on Apr 28, 2008 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

They should open up a ward specifically for “GSP mauling” victims. KOS couldve used that, Fitch will definately need that.

Seriously tho, good job by KOS and Fitch.

by jerrolds on Apr 28, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder what kind of gameplan Fitch will have for GSP because he can use Kos’ experience against GSP. They have first hand knowledge and can use it to formulate a plan. It won’t mean anything in the end because GSP will rape him, but it’s just a thought.

by Shadyone33 on Apr 28, 2008 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

Great show of character in and out of the ring. Nothing bad to say about either one. Good job guys donating your time to spend with our nation’s real heroes. Class act!

by BUUCK on Apr 28, 2008 4:13 PM EDT reply actions

KOS vs Lytle is going to be an awesome fight, No way fitch beats GSP though.

by chug life on Apr 28, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Great job guys. This is the type of publicity this sport needs. I’m sure there are other’s in MMA that do this kind of civil deed and it is nice to see it being publicized.

Good luck to both KOS and Fitch in their upcoming bouts.

by Stake on Apr 28, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

I am grateful for everything that those men and women overseas do! BUUCK got it right by calling them “our nation’s real heroes” too often in sports the guys that make the big plays are called heroes. That term has lost a lot of its luster as of late. But I consider every person volunteering for duty a hero. They’re there because they choose to be not because someone told them to be. To go out and protect someone that you don’t know because its right is what it means to be a true American hero. Thanks again to everyone in the military!

by Big Jake on Apr 28, 2008 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

Very well put!

by chefdaddy on Apr 29, 2008 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Not surprising, they are both class acts.

by El dirte on Apr 28, 2008 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

Way to also set a great example for other professional athletes in and out of the cage. Its too bad that there aren’t more people with that type of status who take the initiative to do something for these guys risking their lives for our country. I’m sure that Jon and Kos could tell them how rewarding it is. Great job again guys!

by BUUCK on Apr 28, 2008 6:07 PM EDT reply actions

Nice work fellas….total class. I wish they would announce the GSP/Fitch fight already. I’m already tired of reading how GSP is going to kill Fitch.

No need to jump down my throat. I know why everyone thinks that….I’ve seen GSP fight too. I just want them to get in the ring so Fitch finally gets his shot to prove himself. I think he’s going to surprise everyone. Just my opinion.

by TonyDrip on Apr 28, 2008 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

You know the UFC did do an event for the service men/women, but it would be cool if they did an event with free tickets for our injured and disabled men and women, from this war.
Thanks guys for all you do, your all hero’s in my opinion.

by knowitall on Apr 28, 2008 7:42 PM EDT reply actions