Ready to 'Rumble' II: Josh Koscheck UFC 106 interview exclusive with MMAmania.com
by Derek Bolender on Nov 20, 2009 4:11 PM EST
Email
Print
Josh Koscheck is a man people love to hate.
At this point it's safe to say he's embraced his role as the bad guy and continues to use it to fuel his fire.
Baseball Hall-of-Famer Reggie Jackson once said, "Fans don't boo nobodies," and that statement rings true with regards to Koscheck as well.
"Kos" is a legitimate top ten welterweight contender and has been for some time. Lately, however, he's been on a bit of a roller coaster going 2 - 2 in his last four fights and alternating wins and losses.
Most recently he registered a first round knockout of Frank Trigg at UFC 103. The UFC then scheduled him to fight Mike Pierce at UFC Fight Night 20 on January 11, 2010, but as it turns out, it was only a temporary matchup.
When a couple high profile fights dropped like flies off the upcoming UFC 106 card an opportunity presented itself and he jumped at the chance to face up-and-comer Anthony "Rumble" Johnson in the co-main event.
A win could have him knocking on the door of a potential title shot, but it will certainly not come easy.
Koscheck took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss calling out Matt Hughes, Josh Thomson's conflict of interest, and all things Anthony Johnson.
Check it out:
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I wanted to start off getting your thoughts on Mike Swick's fight at UFC 105 with Dan Hardy. What did you think about how the fight played out and what went wrong for Mike?
Josh Koscheck: I really would prefer to not answer any questions about that right now. I haven't really got to speak directly with Mike Swick. I'm focused on my fight and would prefer to keep the focus on that.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): A lot has been made recently about the so-called "feud" between you and Matt Hughes. What originally made you call him out after you beat Frank Trigg? It seemed like it kind of came out of left field at the time.
Josh Koscheck: I've been trying to get that fight for a number of years now. Probably three years. He just doesn't want to fight me. I called him out. Usually when people call you out and talk shit usually you step up and say, "Yeah, I'll fight the guy." Apparently he doesn't want to fight me so I guess it's almost pointless for us to even talk about Matt Hughes. (laughs)
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You were scheduled to face Mike Pierce in January so how did your fight with Anthony Johnson come about?
Josh Koscheck: I heard the UFC 106 card was in need of some fighters. I had my management call the UFC and let them know I'd fight whoever, just get me an opponent and I'll fight. Management put it in their ear and they said, "Yeah, that's a great idea. How about co-main event against Anthony Johnson?" I said, "Okay done deal."
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): It seems like you are a lot more active than most guys and never hesitate to jump at a fight even on short notice. You're one of the few who does this repeatedly. Do you get antsy after a few consecutive weeks of training? What is your mindset?
Josh Koscheck: I'm always training. I'm two or three weeks away from being in great shape always. My mindset is if I want to make money I need to be fighting. If I want to get a title shot I need to be fighting. Basically, I need to be in the cage. If I'm just sitting around waiting there is no opportunity for me to take those next steps.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson trains at AKA with you but is also a coach and good friend of Anthony Johnson. Is that a conflict of interest? What do you think about this situation?
Josh Koscheck: I won't throw him under the bus, but he's been my training partner for five years now. He's been my friend. I actually live with him right now. I knew that he was training Anthony Johnson prior to this fight. He's not training him right now. Josh can do what he wants in his free time, but out of respect for me he said he wasn't going to train him.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What is Johnson's biggest strength in your opinion?
Josh Koscheck: I think he's got some power in his punches. I think that's his biggest strength. I think the UFC did a very good job of building him and almost babying him. He hasn't really fought anybody yet in the UFC. This will be his first test. We're going to see how mentally tough this kid is and if he has the heart to be a champion.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you feel any pressure to stand up and bang with him and make it exciting for the fans?
Josh Koscheck: I don't feel any pressure at all in my fights. I can just tell you this fight won't go to a decision.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): We don't really know what kind of ground game Johnson has because he hasn't really needed it yet. Is that an area you're going to try to exploit?
Josh Koscheck: Like I said, I don't talk too much game plan. I'm just going to let you known that this fight won't go to the judges.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are you going to plan on continuing to call out Hughes going forward? If you beat Johnson are you going to call him out again until he takes the fight?
Josh Koscheck: He's not going to take the fight. He doesn't want to fight me. The UFC must feel bad for him. They just want to continue to give him easy fights and let him retire with a winning record or in a winning way or whatever. For me, I don't care who I fight. I don't care where I fight. I don't care how often I fight. My goal next year is to fight twelve times.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I actually spoke with Johnson last night and I asked him what would happen if he ends up on his back at any point in the fight. He told me, "I can do enough to survive. I'm not a black belt or anything like that. I don't want to submit you. I know how to hold on to you and have the ref stand us up, let's put it that way." Your thoughts on this statement?
Josh Koscheck: (laughs) That's funny! He's going to hold on and let the ref stand us up? That's cool, whatever. If we end up on the ground that's not a good philosophy. I've trained with Anthony. I know what he has on the ground. I know he's a part time fighter. He's not training year round like me. I know his jiu-jitsu coach that teaches there (at Cung Le's gym), Paul Schreiner. He's never been to one jiu-jitsu class since Schreiner, who is a black belt in jiu-jitsu, has been there.
I'm not concerned to fight this fight on the feet. I'm not concerned to fight this fight on the ground to be honest with you. It depends on how I feel on Saturday night when I'm in the locker room warming up. Then I'll make the decision as to where I'll fight.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Johnson also told me he was at 185 pounds last night and is comfortably in line to make the cut. How is your weight by the way? What are you at right now?
Josh Koscheck: I woke up this morning at 181 pounds. I think I'm on track. I've never had a weight issue. I'm a little bit mentally tougher than that to puss out and not make weight.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What happens if Johnson comes in at 175 or 176 pounds on Friday?
Josh Koscheck: That's not going to change my philosophy. I'm still going to beat his ass. I'm going on with the fight. I don't care if he makes weight or he doesn't make weight. That's not up to me. That's up to him. At the end of the day I'm here to fight. If he doesn't make weight he's still going to get beat down.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You're one of the few guys that have taken Georges St. Pierre to a decision. How much have you improved since you fought him and do you feel like things would go differently in a rematch?
Josh Koscheck: I'm not really, obviously, thinking about that right now. After Saturday night if I'm not fighting St. Pierre next I'll call people up and I'll fight every three weeks. I'll have three weeks of training and then I'll fight every month next year. That's the plan. If I'm not fighting him next then line them up and let me fight twelve people so I can make some real money and then I'll fight St. Pierre.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Anything you'd like to pass along to your fans out there or any sponsors you would like to thank at this time?
Josh Koscheck: They can check me out on Twitter, @JoshKoscheck. All my sponsors. I plug them on my Twitter page so it's all good.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Josh, I appreciate the time. Good luck on Saturday.
Josh Koscheck: Alright, thank you.
Derek Bolender is a contributor to MMAmania.com, CBSSports.com, FoxSports.com, and BleacherReport.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DerekMMAwriter and Facebook.com/Derek.Bolender.
30 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Basically
If Koscheck the wrestler shows up, he wins, but if the “striker” Koscheck shows up, he gets KTFO.
by Lester The Pimp on Nov 20, 2009 3:19 PM EST reply actions
I think either one gets smashed.
Kos is going to have to shoot in form a distance on a guy as big as AJ. AJ has a good sprawl and fast enough hands to make him pay every time. He needs to avoid throwing too many kicks, and he will put Kos to sleep.
That said, this is a big step up for AJ. I just think he’s too athletic and strong to lose this fight. Look at what Alves did to Kos with leg kicks and T-rex arms.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Nov 20, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
Johnson TKO
I really like KOS, I think he’s a great fighter and I do usually enjoy his fights. But that being said, I see Johnson landing big shots on KOS and putting him to sleep. His power is strong enough to knock out anyone at WW
I feel KOS is going to take it...
He has been looking good and he’s an all around fighter his stand up is not as good as AJ but if he can defend the majority of the strikes and get AJ in the clinch and on the ground I feel he wil win this one as long as he doesn’t do anything stupid like try and box with AJ he should be able to take AJ out. Either way I’m looking forward to this battle!
I've really been waffling back and forth on this one.
Very tough fight to predict. If Kos would come up with a gameplan a little sooner than backstage, I’d feel much more comfortable about betting on him. The problem is that I believe him when he says this.
I can make a very good argument for either fighter to win this fight, it all depends on how Kos wants to fight.
I am waiting to see the weigh ins to make my final judgement on this fight. What will AJ weigh??? If either fighter reaches the +130 neighborhood, then a bet is worthwhile – on either one of them
I have to agree
with you guys. Koscheck’s only chance on the feet is a lucky shot, and I feel like the only way he wins is if he turns into a blanket (boringggggggg) and smother’s Johnson for the decision, or until he tires him enough to put him away on the ground.
on ajs nuts!!
cmon guys this guys just beat kevin burns and zenko!!this is a massive test and i will save my praise if he gets throught his.personally i think hes overrated and if kos gets back to his wrestling i expect him to dominate a 3 round decision and to bust aj up ala chris lyttle.
no chance kos said in interview that he is not concerned about the fight(which means he is very concerned)
and he think a.j. is the same fighter he was 18 months ago. this does not even get out of the first round. a.j. with brutal knockout. peace.
yes i am obsessive, obnoxious, in your face and all about covering the spread. those are my good qualities.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 21, 2009 1:59 AM EST up reply actions
Editor's Note
FYI guys -
This interview was completed Tues night so keep that in mind when Kos mentions his weight.
Thanks for the read.
by Derek Bolender on Nov 20, 2009 3:28 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Kos for the win
I think Kos can pull it out. I know he got TKO’d recently, but he took some BIG shots from Alves and I think Johnson won’t be able to walk right through him.
I like the insight Kos provided regarding Johnson. Having trained with him before he seems confident about the fight if it goes to the ground. I just hope that they didn’t train together like 3 years ago and Kos thinks that he hasn’t upped his game at all.
I also like that he didn’t want to comment on the Swick fight without first talking to Swick.
I know a lot of people give Kos shit, but he’s come a long way since TUF 1 and I actually don’t mind him now. I wouldn’t say that I like him but I don’t hate him…Which is a BIG step.
I
think Kos can pull it out. I know he got TKO’d recently, but he took some BIG shots from Alves and I think Johnson won’t be able to walk right through him.
Alves is a terrific striker, no doubt, but AJ gets even more leverage and power in his shots. If Kos eats the shots from AJ that he ate from Alves, he’s taking an express bus to Queer Street.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
good point
I agree with hand striking but Alves has wicked leg strikes that set his hand strikes very well something KOS will not have to worry nearly as much about against AJ. Aj has been looking better in the other phases but I thin KOS has the upper hand still in any other position besides striking and this fight will come down to who is able to dictate the fight as long as KOS doesn’t plan to stand with him.
Yup, I can’t stand Koscheck, but the dude does have a great attitude when it comes to fighting and his fights have all been exciting lately. LMAO at 12 times though.
by BNF on Nov 20, 2009 4:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Kos t f out
Kos will always come to rumble, I respect that. He is a bad dude, I have a feeling kos will implement the takedown and do some GNP.
by Dball on Nov 20, 2009 3:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I wonder what Hughes reaction will be if he hears this?
Josh Koscheck: He’s not going to take the fight. He doesn’t want to fight me. The UFC must feel bad for him. They just want to continue to give him easy fights and let him retire with a winning record or in a winning way or whatever. For me, I don’t care who I fight. I don’t care where I fight. I don’t care how often I fight. My goal next year is to fight twelve times.
What a dick
I originally had Kos to win but now I would like Rumble by massive head kick. Then I want Hughes to take the fight and beat him.
I like Koscheck, Cool Interview!
He’s the only real fighter talking about I will fight anybody, any time. He stays in shape and doesn’t have a problem making weight.
Wow, I didn’t know that Koscheck knows Johnson’s whole camp. I may have to reconsider my prediction for Johnson.
Derek, come on, a number of guys fought GSP to decision like Fitch, Thiago Alves and I believe Jason Miller.
Check out my recent MMA drawings on my blog, drop a comment, or subscribe via RSS for updates http://www.scritchandscratch.com/blog/?tag=mma
Good point. More guys have taken him to a decision than I realized w/ out looking over his resume. He’s been so dominant it seems like a lot more I guess.
by Derek Bolender on Nov 20, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t get me wrong at all, I am taking absolutely NOTHING away from GSP.
I still wasn’t convinced of how great GSP is until the Jon Fitch fight.
Check out my recent MMA drawings on my blog, drop a comment, or subscribe via RSS for updates http://www.scritchandscratch.com/blog/?tag=mma
by VeeisAnimated on Nov 20, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions
Koscheck will beat AJ into submission or stoppage!
his only hope ,is to land the bomb not going to happen Josh is too smart and will take him down ,control him and beat the FU*% out of him trust me I know!
by WestSideStrangler on Nov 20, 2009 4:42 PM EST reply actions
hobo the clown
I hope hobo the clown gets smashed by the lightning quick concrete hands of rumble.
Send him and his lil stick with a red kerchief camping. I too think if kos wrestles him like he should, he’ll take this.
If he stands with rumble? Well… In that case I would get my wish. Kos tries to make it sound like he’s gonna ko rumble if he stands with him.
Poor lil guy is delusional :S
by daniel worby on Nov 20, 2009 5:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
hobo the clown
I hope hobo the clown gets smashed by the lightning quick concrete hands of rumble.
Send him and his lil stick with a red kerchief camping. I too think if kos wrestles him like he should, he’ll take this.
If he stands with rumble? Well… In that case I would get my wish. Kos tries to make it sound like he’s gonna ko rumble if he stands with him.
Poor lil guy is delusional :S
by daniel worby on Nov 20, 2009 5:18 PM EST via mobile reply actions
wtf? 2x post again!?
Sorry! 3rd Time in 2 days from mobile posting. This format irks me f*ck
by daniel worby on Nov 20, 2009 5:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
With out a doubt I just can't see him being that naive to go toe to toe with AJ
then again maybe he’s just trying to get AJ gaurd down on takedown D.
Should be a good one
I’ve been looking forward to this fight for a while now, for some reason I feel kos will get hit and lose. He’s always looking for the home run, and gets reckless, still can’t believe he got ko’d by the guy who’s striking was IMO worse than matt hughes. I REALLY hope this fight makes it at least past the first round and preferably to the third, I want to see what each fighter has, quick ko’s show very little.
tool
Kos is a tool, but I have to admit that his “take all comers” attitude is winning me over. If only more high profile fighters were less concerned with how they looked and more willing to engage (looking at you Rampage, and Rashad, and Hughes, etc. etc.) us fans would be better served.
Rumble by KO, though. :P
by theloupgaroukid on Nov 20, 2009 10:40 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on MMAmania.com
Related FanShots on MMAmania.com
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
