Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Ryder Hesjedal Wins Giro d'Italia

UFC 135: Is Josh Koscheck throwing in the towel or planning for the future?

Photo

"I've got a couple of good fights left in me, whether it's at 170 or 185."

Josh Koscheck said this yesterday (Sept. 22) during the closing press junket leading up to UFC 135: "Jones vs. Rampage." 

Those are curious words for a top ten-ranked welterweight who was last seen challenging for the division's title.

But the beating he received at the hands of Georges St. Pierre seems to have broken more than the bones surrounding his eye. It seems that the mouthy, arrogant wrestling powerhouse from the first season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) also suffered a broken spirit.

It's been almost an entire year since the 25-minute shellacking at UFC 124 but wounds like those Koscheck had inflicted on him don't heal too easily and often come with a much higher price than going under the knife and sitting on the sidelines for a few months.

The above quote sounds like a man resigned to his fate. It sounds like a man who not only knows his place in the grand scheme of things but also accepts it and plans on making the most of it.

And is that such a bad thing?

Star-divide

It became painfully -- figuratively for those watching and very literally for "Kos" -- that the wrestler didn't have what it takes to usurp "Rush" from his welterweight throne over the course of their bout last December. St. Pierre was just too fast, too strong, too talented, too good for Koscheck. What little doubt remained in his mind from their fight bout in 2007 was slowly and brutally erased 10 months ago.

Since that night, Koscheck has had time to lick his wound and evaluate his future. 

Does he want to put himself through the grueling process of earning another title shot? In between his bouts with "GSP," the TUF veteran took on the likes of Chris Lytle, Thiago Alves, Paulo Thiago and Anthony Johnson. He didn't win all of those fights but he stood toe to toe with a murderer's row of UFC welterweights.

The kind of abuse someone's body takes while competing at that level is not to be taken lightly. Not just the abuse absorbed inside the Octagon but also the wear and tear during training is assuredly felt every day Koscheck gets out of bed. Perhaps his neck clicks; perhaps his knee aches from time to time. The toil of a UFC fighter almost knows no end.

Approaching his mid-30s, the idea of starting from square one to once again attempt to reach the pinnacle of the sport probably doesn't sound all too intriguing. And that's what makes his statement all the more interesting.

A "couple of good fights" aren't likely to put him back in the title picture. His American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) teammate Jon Fitch was on the business end of a beating similar to the one Koscheck received and even after going undefeated in his next six bouts, he's no closer to sniffing a shot at St. Pierre than he was one or two years ago.

There's simply no interest in seeing a replay of a complete and utter one-sided beating and it seem "Kos" recognizes that. The lack of enthusiasm isn't just on the fans' side but a lot resides on the other side of the spectrum as well.

His bout with Matt Hughes -- likely to be the former champion's last -- doesn't have any relevant title implications. It's a special attraction, a showcase fight between two incredible athletes that have long wanted to lock horns. It also serves as a suitable co-main event for the UFC's latest pay-per-view (PPV) offering.

While Koscheck's resignation at finishing his career outside of the title picture might seem like the wrestler has given up and is merely cashing in on name recognition, it's actually a very astute move for someone whose career doesn't last 40 years like that of an accountant or teacher. 

His career as an active mixed martial artist (MMA) began ticking to zero the second it began. He's achieved far more than most who enter the field can ever hope to accomplish and has nothing to be ashamed of. Simply put, he's earned this. He's earned bouts that will help line his bank account. Bouts like -- despite having spent nearly all of his career at 170-pounds -- a middleweight return, which he's openly campaigned for.

The most desirable 185-pound contest would be a rematch over five years past due against TUF rival Chris Leben

Koscheck will earn tens of thousands of dollars on Saturday night and will do so again the next time he steps inside the Octagon, win or lose. No longer worried about fighting for a title shot, "Kos" is now allowed to fight for fun.

And a five-round war with "The Crippler" would be nothing but fun.

Comment 16 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

He'll beat Hughes

Then he’ll be talking about a title shot.
Humility and reason won’t last.

I think you're pretty tough....don't I?
Daffy Duck

by Scottidog on Sep 23, 2011 1:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

he'll see what happens with the diaz and condit gsp matches

if cailou drops his belt to one of those he’ll be all over a title shot. but he does seem dfferent now, maybe gsp broke him, trying to fight leben and wandy then settling for a hughes fight is not challenging yourself. i should have put money on hughes

circa regna tonat

by sir.tickleberry on Sep 23, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yep, I see him knocking Hughes out, and I'm a Hughes fan, but if moves up and fights Leben again, I think it will be a different outcome.

Leben will KO Josh this time. I think Lebens become alot better in his wrestling and that would be the difference for it to be a standup fight.

Chael Sonnen is the MAN!!!

by Rubberman on Sep 23, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

I would like to see Josh at 185 if he wins.

"I felt like I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury"-Tank on losing to Dan Severn

by Puck Head on Sep 23, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

He Knows he's not getting another shot at GSP for the title

So, he’s saying that he wants big fights. Nothing wrong or weird about that.

by jtc5150 on Sep 23, 2011 1:58 PM EDT reply actions  

He can get a shot just never the belt. He does own a few AKA's himself, not everybody is a Rich Franklin and wanting to compete just for competing sake.

Dominance of Georges St. Pierre Is in the Details

http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/14/dominance-of-georges-st-pierre-is-in-the-details/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

by D_Smith on Sep 23, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

So GSP

DID finish Koscheck!

by Reece on Sep 23, 2011 2:04 PM EDT reply actions  

+1

The fighter i picked to win gets choked the fuck out, The Pride is extremely knowledgeable and a lock to win this season

by unambig on Sep 23, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Hyper fang is the shit man...

Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

by redfox54 on Sep 23, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Great article and i see your point!

But this isn’t the sport to have “fun” or collect a paycheck in! When resigned to that fact fighting can become rather dangerous.

by letstalkmma on Sep 23, 2011 2:59 PM EDT reply actions  

Ego Smash

Josh finally got his Ego Smashed. some of us manage to smash our own Ego. Some have to have it smashed for them. But its the best thing in the world for man, to Smash His Ego. Mans Ego….the scourge of the Earth. Just ask Dana White’s Ego, Dana White. #SmashYourEgo

by Jonny Kush on Sep 23, 2011 4:09 PM EDT reply actions  

If he wins fights, he should get a title shot again.

Dana White should stay out of it.
Why give Brock Lesnar a title shot if he wins one fight after Cain destroyed him?
Treat fighters equally.

by Spiffy on Sep 23, 2011 4:27 PM EDT reply actions  

This one quote with no context and suddenly Koshcheck's ego is smashed?

That may be just a tad over the top. I would like to see Koscheck try his hand at 185. He has nothing for him at WW even though he is one of the best at that weight.

"He's got a great package... and an unusual one!" Joe Rogan (of Lyoto Machida)

by crizzy on Sep 23, 2011 4:50 PM EDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

2761640571a8854125388l_small
FREE-POOL RESULTS. UFC 146. JDS v MIR
Its-more-fun-in-the-philippines_small
Mania Money Pool Results: UFC 146 (Dos Santos vs Mir)
Thumbnail
QOTW - 04/2012-05/2012
Venetian_mask_small
New Blackfly Comic- The Angel Retributions Part 22
Sexy-beer-54095_small
Beermania: UFC 146 'Dos Santos vs Mir' Edition

Recent FanPosts

628x471_small
UFC 146: Unambig report cards
Me_2_small
The 'ONE Asia MMA Summit' Could be a Defining Moment in the History of Asian MMA
Imgp0069_small
Possible Return of Brock Lesnar and Post UFC 146 Thoughts
Small
What's Next for Junior?
Shake10_small
WEC up in this MUTHA FAKKA (Down with UFC)
Small
More shocking news concerning Anthony Johnson
74471_small
UFC 146 'Primetime' video for 'Dos Santos vs Mir' on FX (Final Episode)
Me_2_small
Roger Huerta to fight Phil Baroni at ONE Fighting Championship: 'Destiny of Warriors'

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managers

Bane2_small Jesse Holland

Solidsnake_small Geno Mrosko

Mmamania_logo_small Thomas Myers

Editors

Small Andrew Mendez

Mmamania_small Brian Hemminger

File1684_small Sergio Hernandez

Me_small Kevin Haggerty

5260_120799616881_564821881_3026489_7189708_n_small Adam Guillen Jr.