Karo vs. Diego official

angryjonny · 06-03-2006, 12:29 PM

According to Diego's website.

Spike TV and Zuffa have scheduled an Ultimate Fight Night event for Thursday, August 17th with the main event of Karo Parisyan vs. Diego Sanchez.

MMAWeekly's Rumors section previously noted that Parisyan and Sanchez were going to be fighting in August, and that fight has now been moved from the UFC 62 pay-per-view (on August 26th) to the Ultimate Fight Night broadcast on August 17th.

The date of the Parisyan vs. Sanchez fight, and the fact that the fight is scheduled to happen in the first place, has also been confirmed by a graphic on Diego Sanchez' official web site.

The August 17th live fight special will air from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM and will serve as the lead-in to the season premiere of The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback.

After the strong ratings that were drawn when a live "Ultimate Fight Night" event served as the lead-in to the season premiere of The Ultimate Fighter 3 back in April, it only makes sense that Spike TV and Zuffa are doing it again.

All of the UFC's previous live fight specials, as well as the upcoming specials on June 24th and 28th, have taken place in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, as of today, Zuffa has not made a request with the Nevada State Athletic Commission to hold an event in the state of Nevada on August 17th. This could mean that Zuffa is planning to venture outside of Nevada for the first time on Spike TV, or it could simply mean that Zuffa has not yet secured a venue for August 17th in the state of Nevada.

Karo Parisyan had been publicly promised a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title after he won three consecutive fights in the UFC, which were against Nick Diaz, Chris Lytle, and Matt Serra. Parisyan was scheduled to fight for the title against Matt Hughes last November, but Parisyan injured his quadriceps in training and had to pull out of the fight. Parisyan seemingly lost his status as a top contender due to the fact that he got injured, as his next fight in the Octagon was a victory over Nick Thompson, who was making his UFC debut.

After winning the middleweight competition in dominant fashion on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, Diego Sanchez moved to the welterweight division, where he won back-to-back fights with impressive performances against Brian Gassaway and Nick Diaz. The latter is one of the most-watched fights in UFC history, as it was the main event on the UFC's most-watched live fight special in history. Last week at UFC 60, Sanchez won a close fight via judges' decision over John Alessio.

While it's rumored that BJ Penn believes he should get the first title shot against the winner of this fall's battle between Matt Hughes and Georges St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Title, one could certainly make the case that the winner of the Parisyan vs. Sanchez fight should receive that distinction instead.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...2172&zoneid=13

subgenius · 06-03-2006, 01:01 PM

BJ Penn's ego always surprises me. He lost to GSP. He needs to win some fights before he can claim he is worthy of the winner of GSP-Hughes. Karo Parisyan and Sanchez deserve that shot LONG before Ego Penn gets any shots. Penn needs to prove himself. So far, that has not happened. I doubt that it will happen. I doubt that Penn can win his next match. That will end Penn's BS egocentricity.

I am greatly looking forward to the Parisyan-Sanchez match. However, I fully know that no one will respect either Sanchez or Parisyan after Sanchez wins. Yes, I feel that Sanchez can beat Parisyan. If Parisyan wins, then people will just say that Sanchez was never worth anything, and that Parisyan is not elevated by the win. I know that attitude will prevail -- it has for the last year. Parisyan will become another Diaz to you guys.

Anti-Sanchez · 06-03-2006, 01:12 PM

Who is BJ fighting next? I haven't heard. As for proving something BJ's proved over the years that he is bad-a$$. Yeah he lost to GSP and didn't look that great, but as far as him not proving himself thats BS. (Sanchez didn't look great in the fight vs Alessio yet I'm sure you are not ready to disgard him because of one fight). I think you are right though as far as Karo/Sanchez winner getting the next title attempt. I don't have a problem with that. I think if GSP beats Hughes then BJ will get first crack simply because of the rematch factor. If Hughes Beats GSP again then it wouldn't surprise me if the Karo/Sanchez winner gets first shot. I'm not sure that Dana is all that crazy about a BJ/Hughes rematch. Considering that BJ whooped Matts butt last time I doubt he wants to risk it again.

angryjonny · 06-03-2006, 01:15 PM

Why so negative sub? This is a huge match for Diego. This is bigger than the Diaz fight. Diaz was barely breaking top 10 when they fought but Karo was the next man in line at one time and didn't lose to anyone to get knocked down the ladder a bit. If Diego wins or even puts on a good showing he should get respect for it. But he won't win. Karo is going to be more difficult to take down than Alessio is and he'll have more answers as well which will get him the victory. You don't "fully know" that is going to happen. And anyone who knocks on Diaz and/or Karo doesn't know what they are talking about.

subgenius · 06-03-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angryjonny

Why so negative sub? This is a huge match for Diego. This is bigger than the Diaz fight. Diaz was barely breaking top 10 when they fought but Karo was the next man in line at one time and didn't lose to anyone to get knocked down the ladder a bit. If Diego wins or even puts on a good showing he should get respect for it. But he won't win. Karo is going to be more difficult to take down than Alessio is and he'll have more answers as well which will get him the victory. You don't "fully know" that is going to happen. And anyone who knocks on Diaz and/or Karo doesn't know what they are talking about.

I agree, Jonny, about the importance of this fight AND it's outcome. I do actually see this as the toughest fight yet for Diego Sanchez. I do not think that he can defeat Karo Parisyan. I do believe that it will be one of the best fights of the year. These guys both have ground skills to spare. Karo does have heat on his elbows -- his nickname is appropriate.

I'm negative because everyone seems to seriously dump on Diego Sanchez, and then they dump on the guys he defeated. I think that you and I agree that these fights are not easy, nor are they simply a walk in the park for any of these fighters -- even in a 15 second KO like AA gave Buentello there is a high level of risk and danger.

If Sanchez wins this fight, it ought to erase all the negative talk about him in the fandom. He is a hard working, intense fighter. I think that every fighter he has faced in the UFC has also been hard working and intense. Alessio did not have an answer for Sanchez, but he is a good fighter. Diaz had more answers, and he confronted Diego where Diego has serious skills, and Diaz walked away the loser in a decision -- that is NOT dishonorable. Diaz fought hard.

I seriously do not want to see people demean Karo "The Heat" Parisyan should he lose to Diego Sanchez... Karo is a championship level opponent.

Ray433 · 06-03-2006, 02:17 PM

I have vowed and will again, that if Diego wins this then I will take back anything bad I've ever said about him. Unless it pertains to his hair or his motivational pep talks in abandoned factories

Greenman · 06-03-2006, 04:33 PM

Oh I would so love to see a GSP vs Diego fight. I would be afraid that Hughes may submit Diego, but I am pretty sure GSP would punish him a lot more.

Sounds wrong, but I just loathe Sanchez. I do like Diaz and Karo though.

sitnspin · 06-03-2006, 06:02 PM

This is a hugely exciting fight. Like a first-class matchup. The weird thing is, I'm not sure where Diego's head is these days. The Diego that steamrolled his TUF competition, destroyed Brian Gassaway and beat Nick Diaz has a very good shot at beating Karo Parysian. The Diego that we saw at UFC 60 would get dominated by Karo. It's kind of a Vitor Belfort thing, but which Diego will we see next time?

subgenius · 06-03-2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenman

Oh I would so love to see a GSP vs Diego fight. I would be afraid that Hughes may submit Diego, but I am pretty sure GSP would punish him a lot more.

Sounds wrong, but I just loathe Sanchez. I do like Diaz and Karo though.

At least you are honest. LOL. I do think that GSP and Hughes are too much for Sanchez -- at least right now. GSP and Hughes both have better strike ability, and I would say that Hughes has definately better ground skills. But, Diego is young. He has a long way to go. I think that he will get there. I really cannot see him losing three in a row and getting bounced out of the UFC.

Diego Sanchez has earned my respect. I did not much pay attention to him on TUF1. I did not really sit up and take notice until his domination of Ken-Flo at the Finale for TUF1. He has continued to earn my respect. But, even I have some problems with some of his ways. He is too into religion for my tastes. I mean he goes off on that a lot, but so do a lot of other fighters. Maybe it is just the way fighters are at that level. They HAVE to believe in a higher power to project their own power, perhaps.

For my own part, I just like watching the guy fight. He keeps the pace up. He is aggressive. He tries hard to win and end the fight quickly. He is a great wrestler and grappler and a Gaidojutsu blackbelt. He just needs to improve his striking skills to be more well rounded.

I give the guy an A+ for effort and work ethic.

subgenius · 06-03-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

This is a hugely exciting fight. Like a first-class matchup. The weird thing is, I'm not sure where Diego's head is these days. The Diego that steamrolled his TUF competition, destroyed Brian Gassaway and beat Nick Diaz has a very good shot at beating Karo Parysian. The Diego that we saw at UFC 60 would get dominated by Karo. It's kind of a Vitor Belfort thing, but which Diego will we see next time?

I think that it is the same Diego, but now people know his game plan. I said it before, it is a basically simple game plan that many greats use -- Matt Hughes used that same plan to beat Royce Gracie. But, stop the takedowns and you CAN beat Diego. The problem is that Diaz and Alessio did not follow up with an A-game of their own. I said this before, but Liddell and Franklin -- in Alessio's position -- would have KO'd Diego Sanchez. So far, the fighters have figured out his game, but have not countered it effectively.

Karo Parisyan is a different animal. Like GSP and Hughes, Karo knows what to do in the octagon. His game plan is nearly identical to Hughes and Sanchez. This fight will be a ground chess match. I love it. I want to see it get really incredibly fierce. Like the Sanchez-Diaz fight, except with a winner before any judges can mess with it -- not a decision. I want either Diego to GnP Karo, or I want Karo to submitt Diego. I want a clear winner sans the judges this time...

sitnspin · 06-03-2006, 06:09 PM

I was watching Greg Jackson talk about Diego in a Sherdog video recently, and he was saying how he's got no intention of trying to rush Diego to the top. He's a young guy and he's still developing as a fighter. They're constantly finding holes in his game and going to work on them, but he doesn't worry at all that Diego's game isn't complete yet, because they have lots of time. I respect that kind of talk from a trainer, instead of saying crap like, "As soon as he gets a shot, you're looking at the next world champion." Jackson's more like, "He's not quite ready for that title shot, but he will be someday, and then look out."

sitnspin · 06-03-2006, 06:11 PM

By the way. Where did Diego find the inspiration for his gameplan in the third round against Alessio? Hmmm...

subgenius · 06-03-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

I was watching Greg Jackson talk about Diego in a Sherdog video recently, and he was saying how he's got no intention of trying to rush Diego to the top. He's a young guy and he's still developing as a fighter. They're constantly finding holes in his game and going to work on them, but he doesn't worry at all that Diego's game isn't complete yet, because they have lots of time. I respect that kind of talk from a trainer, instead of saying crap like, "As soon as he gets a shot, you're looking at the next world champion." Jackson's more like, "He's not quite ready for that title shot, but he will be someday, and then look out."

I like Greg Jackson. He seems to know how to train his fighters well. The Gaidojutsu that he trains is self-invented. Well, not completely, but Jackson is the driving force behind it.

For those not familiar with Gaidojutsu, here is a brief write-up:

Gaidojutsu is the fighting system from Albuquerque, NM developed by Greg Jackson and made famous by Diego Sanchez in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Originally a combination of wrestling and Judo techniques, Greg Jackson incorporated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing to make the system complete. Some other famous practitioners are Steve Irwin (The Crocodile Hunter), Keith Jardine from the Ultimate Fighter 2, and Joey Villasenor. Gaidojutsu fighters compete in both the Ultimate Fighting Championship and The Pride Fighting Championship along with numerous grappling competitions.

Well, now we know why The Croc Hunter is so good at wrestling and wrangling crocodiles, LOL.

I expect Joey Villasenor to appear in the UFC some time in the next year. He has done well in KOTC.

subgenius · 06-03-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

By the way. Where did Diego find the inspiration for his gameplan in the third round against Alessio? Hmmm...

That is hilarious! LOL. Yoda rules!

LastExit34 · 06-03-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

I expect Joey Villasenor to appear in the UFC some time in the next year. He has done well in KOTC.

Joey is fighting tonight in the pride WW GP. UFC may have missed the boat on this one.

subgenius · 06-03-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LastExit34

Joey is fighting tonight in the pride WW GP. UFC may have missed the boat on this one.

Ahhh, that is too bad. I really like Villasenor. I have seen a few of his fights on KOTC, and I think that he could be better than Diego Sanchez. At least, he seems better at striking, and seems more well-rounded.

angryjonny · 06-03-2006, 06:37 PM

Joey definitely deserves to be in the big shows. But don't forget just because the UFC didn't pick him up doesn't mean you can't see him fight

Grave · 06-04-2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

BJ Penn's ego always surprises me. He lost to GSP. He needs to win some fights before he can claim he is worthy of the winner of GSP-Hughes. Karo Parisyan and Sanchez deserve that shot LONG before Ego Penn gets any shots. Penn needs to prove himself. So far, that has not happened. I doubt that it will happen. I doubt that Penn can win his next match. That will end Penn's BS egocentricity.

I am greatly looking forward to the Parisyan-Sanchez match. However, I fully know that no one will respect either Sanchez or Parisyan after Sanchez wins. Yes, I feel that Sanchez can beat Parisyan. If Parisyan wins, then people will just say that Sanchez was never worth anything, and that Parisyan is not elevated by the win. I know that attitude will prevail -- it has for the last year. Parisyan will become another Diaz to you guys.

UFC protecting deigo is common knowledge. So right off the bat if Parisyan was picked to fight sanchez, yup i'd say he won't be much better than Nick "the prick" Diaz.

subgenius · 06-04-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grave

UFC protecting deigo is common knowledge. So right off the bat if Parisyan was picked to fight sanchez, yup i'd say he won't be much better than Nick "the prick" Diaz.

You see, Jonny -- THAT did not take very long. Now, Karo is a nobody with no skills. He's suddenly a bum with no right to be in MMA. The fight has not even happened, but this is just the beginning of the insults and demeaning towards Karo Parisyan. The poor guy took a match with Diego Sanchez, and now Karo will be seen as the worst MMA fighter ever. People like Grave will start to constantly attack Karo. Just like they did to Diaz...

This is a black day for MMA.

Jenkins83 · 06-04-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

You see, Jonny -- THAT did not take very long. Now, Karo is a nobody with no skills. He's suddenly a bum with no right to be in MMA. The fight has not even happened, but this is just the beginning of the insults and demeaning towards Karo Parisyan. The poor guy took a match with Diego Sanchez, and now Karo will be seen as the worst MMA fighter ever. People like Grave will start to constantly attack Karo. Just like they did to Diaz...

This is a black day for MMA.

You're right sub. The hardcore Sanchez haters will never respect Sanchez no matter who he beats. If he were to ever beat Matt Hughes for the WW belt I'm sure the Sanchez haters would all of a sudden be like "Well, Matt Hughes was just a chump and the WW championship means nothing". It would be nice if people would just acknowledge that Sanchez is a good fighter and has a pretty decent chance to become champion one day.