Welterweight Josh Koscheck faces Mike Pierce at this Saturday's UFC 143 in Las Vegas. But in this interview with MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani, he shows his mind is still on his old nemesis, injured champion Georges St. Pierre. From the interview:
Koscheck: Hopefully George is out for more than 10 months and they make that interim title holder fight twice.
Helwani: You're rooting against him?
Koscheck: Yeah absolutely. Hopefully he never comes back. Basically ACL surgeries take a lot out of you. I've had friends who've had the surgery and they say they're never the same. Hopefully it evens out the playing field and we can get another crack at Georges.
Helwani: There's still bad blood there?
Koscheck: No. Me and George have always been cool. He's a respectable guy outside of the cage when we're not fighting. He's a great person. I'm sure we would probably hang out. Well maybe not, he'd probably say no but I'd be willing to kick it with him.
After the jump Koscheck talks about his UFC 143 opponent Mike Pierce and makes his pick for the welterweight interim title fight between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz.
SBN coverage of UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit
On Pierce:
(On his reaction to Pierce calling him out) First off I had to look him up and see who he was. I would prefer to fight someone with a bigger name. It's better for the fans, better for the sport.
He's been talking a lot and as cocky as he is at the end of the day he's got to get in there and back it up.
Hopefully Saturday night I put Mike Pierce to sleep. He's definitely a tough fighter. He's definitely a decision guy, he doesn't come in and finish guys.
He comes in in great shape, he gets off the bottom well and he has good take downs. He does everything pretty well but nothing great.
On Carlos Condit and Condit vs. Diaz:
(On the original Koscheck vs. Condit bout booked for UFC 143) It was huge fight for Carlos Condit. It was an easy fight for me. I truly believe I could beat Carlos Condit very easily.
Who are you picking in the main event?
I'm going to go with Diaz.
1 recs | 78 comments
Translated: I like vision, so I hope GSP doesn't beat the shit out of my eyes for a 2nd time!
SSreporters - February 2, 2012
Kos just loves everyone hating him and loves the paycheck it earns him
nsiegel - February 2, 2012
Yup, it’s all an act. I for one enjoy his antics; at least he commits to the role and doesn’t get too cheezy. I’m a Kos fan the same way I’m a Chael fan.
Machiel Van - February 2, 2012
There goes Josh being Josh, I guess.
VeeisAnimated - February 2, 2012
He scared of GSP
crucified - February 2, 2012
He's the Tonya Harding of MMA
Hoping someone’s knee is ruined, so he can get a shot a gold. What a douche.
FragglesHateKos - February 2, 2012
'Cept
He didn’t bust up GSP’s knee with a pipe
Andy Anderson - February 2, 2012
/checks username/
“FragglesHateKos”
Hmm…
andrew861 - February 2, 2012
Yeah
I just caught that after I posted my reply. I am just glad that Kos doesn’t put on any kind of act. This is how he really is, and he isn’t that bad if you get to know him.
Andy Anderson - February 2, 2012
Not a good look Josh.
verloc - February 2, 2012
You know you're a bad motherfucker
when people are hoping you don’t come back so they might be considered the best.
dgonz - February 2, 2012
exactly
Inspectorxr5 - February 2, 2012 via mobile
Mobile rec
ANance - February 2, 2012 via mobile
You stay classy, Kos
Hellsing - February 2, 2012
Kos is gonna Kos
Machiel Van - February 2, 2012
Cause at least I know I'm free....
warren305 - February 2, 2012
GSP on one leg
equals a level playing field against you, Kos?
Bet he still jabs the shit out of you
Silvio Dante - February 2, 2012
I guess Kos likes spitting straight up into the air...
pud333 - February 2, 2012 via mobile
He is weird.
he starts out dissing Pierce than saying how good and underrated he is. he also says the phrase, “ya know” about 200 times.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE - February 2, 2012
So he thinks Johny Hendricks, who just beat Fitch, should be above “Engleberger” and Sanchez in title picture? What a surprise
StevenGiles - February 2, 2012
I kinda agree with him to be honest
Andy Anderson - February 2, 2012
Definitely should be above Sanchez
Not so sure about Ellenberger.
Lauren J Darkbloom - February 2, 2012
If Ellenberger wins
He and Hendricks should fight in a #1 contenders fight
Andy Anderson - February 2, 2012
Haha, what an asshole thing to say. Still though you have to appreciate his honesty, I’d bet there are other guys thinking the same thing to themselves.
Horselover Fat - February 2, 2012
"I'd totally hang with GSP...
Ya know, I hope he never recovers from surgery, and he probably thinks I’m a complete tool shed, but I’d hang with him hehehe….someone please be my friend….please? is Bobby Southworth around…god I’m lonely"
-Josh Koscheck
warren305 - February 2, 2012
I laughed my ass off for like 5 minutes reading this
TheIrishLemon - February 2, 2012 via mobile
Full on out loud office laugh
“He probably thinks i’m a complete tool shed”
Rwet - February 2, 2012
Well he’s not going to want to play with you if you keep talking like that, Josh.
mcgriff - February 2, 2012
Only way Kos could possibly win the WW title is with GSP remaining absent
At least he’s upfront about it, even if I think he’s just bullshitting for attention.
menckenstein - February 2, 2012
assuming homie wins
Doesn’t matter cause Kos isn’t beating Diaz either…
cusebear - February 2, 2012 via mobile
kos could wrestlefuck diaz to a decision
benten20 - February 2, 2012 via mobile
and get caught in a triangle, round 2
Brewtality55 - February 2, 2012
Wishful thinking.
I’d bet a significant amount of money that were they to fight Diaz couldn’t/wouldn’t sub Kos from the bottom. Just wouldn’t happen.
lowellthehammer - February 2, 2012
Diaz isn't Daley.
And his comment about Diego? He flopped Paula Thiago around like a rag doll if memory serves….. Didn’t Paulo Thiago lights out Kos?
Rwet - February 2, 2012
Read what I said again.
Do you notice how what you say in no way refutes what I said?
lowellthehammer - February 2, 2012
"I'm a well-wisher, in that I don't wish you any specific harm."
So basically Kos is saying he hopes GSP never gets back, but would like to kick it with him? I think that comment may have ruined the friendship Josh
HeadKickOfDoom - February 2, 2012
Another AKA member, another upset?
fred042 - February 2, 2012
Did Fitch get credit for a sweep there?
Because he masterfully disrupted Mazzagatti’s base
BKdroid - February 2, 2012
he may get an advantage or near sweep but maz gets pt for knee on belly
hewsdaddy - February 2, 2012
I laughed way too hard at this
DSAhawker - February 2, 2012
Fitch did get credit for that being his most entertaining fight though.
fred042 - February 2, 2012
Nicely done. Best comment I’ve seen today.
Lucas2 - February 2, 2012
and... green
Cunny - February 2, 2012
instarec.
gspmademegay - February 2, 2012
How someone consistently comes off as that much of a jack wagon
The word will never kno
warren305 - February 2, 2012
word up
Brewtality55 - February 2, 2012
What I've learned from these comments
Kos is what you get when you back a jack wagon up to the tool shed.
dribblebib - February 2, 2012
LOL nice dude
Nice..stealing that
warren305 - February 2, 2012
Does he realize how incongruent he comes across as? Saying he hopes GSP never fully recovers but has no ill will towards him, alright..
Democritus - February 2, 2012
Use big words like that in front of Kos, and he'll give you an atomic wedgie, while screaming "NERDS!"
Snatchl - February 2, 2012
I don't get why so many fighters give Helwani sh!t
He seems like a nice enough dude.
But I also feel like Jon Jones and Brock Lesnar catch/caught a lot of extra, un-needed crap as well.
Funny coincidence…we are all Cancers…as in astrology.
Chris Groves - February 2, 2012
What’s up, team Cancer.
RonSwanson - February 2, 2012
Aries all the way
BOOYAH!
Andy Anderson - February 2, 2012
oh reallY?
small world…some of my closer friends are cancers.
I think we are just all around the best people…haha
Chris Groves - February 3, 2012
Sometimes people act like a torn acl is the end of the world. It’s not that serious of an injury in normal circumstances.
dani0711 - February 2, 2012
When you're an elite athlete that heavily relies on being able to perform at or near your peak
A disruption as big as a torn ACL may perhaps be the end of the world
BROCKLESNAR!!!!! - February 2, 2012
If you don’t recover a 100% it’s a major issue. But in most cases you’re good to go after 6 months. It’s really not that problematic because the chances of a full recovery are very high.
dani0711 - February 2, 2012
at least he's honest
i prefer it to the line of “GSP is ducking me!”
yeah, there are so many welterweights that GSP is “scared” of.
Clifford J - February 2, 2012
Unless your a huge dick
Then maybe your honesty should be kept private.
Rwet - February 2, 2012
Chael Sonnen & Kos
should start a new team called the Dickzilians!
outlaw_GB - February 2, 2012
I think people might get the wrong idea.
TorQus - February 2, 2012 via mobile
Damn thats funny
Terrible visual
warren305 - February 2, 2012
ACL Surgery's suck
The injury isn’t the worst part. Neither is the grueling painful surgery……it’s the 9-12 months of rehab and always second guessing yourself that destroys potential. I’ve lost my confidence….and had to quit judo….now that sucks.
Simboy - February 2, 2012
/brohug
TorQus - February 2, 2012 via mobile
dose Los have multi personalities
I hope gsp never comes back … Sure id hang out with him
MaZZacare - February 2, 2012 via iPhone app
I’m right there with him on this. Sure I’d hate to see GSP seriously injured, but if he were to retire I think it would be a great day for the 170 division.
Empty Thoughts - February 2, 2012
Love how's he's being honest and trolling at the same time.
He’s taking the piss out of everyone and he knows these are the reactions hell get.
Much like Chael.
AusEagle - February 2, 2012
I’m not surprised, he is not going to fight for the title again with GSP holding the belt.
spectaa - February 2, 2012
Fuck you Kos
I hope I don’t get shit for fighter bashing but this is some pussy bullshit. “Hey I can’t beat the guy, so I hope he stays injured because I know its the only chance I have of ever seeing that belt” is pretty much what he just said. I have never been a Kos fan, but wishing somebody would stay hurt is fucking low. I hope you lose every single fight in the rest of your career asshole.
attgnp - February 2, 2012
Actually
he’s paying GSP the supreme compliment…“I can’t beat you, so I hope you retire because otherwise I’ll never be Champ…”
Dootch - February 2, 2012
Dear mister Koscheck,
I’m really bummed your orbital bone healed up and you can continue to fight, such a shame.
ReAnimator - February 2, 2012
Kind of off topic, but...
does Helwani remind anybody else of Rampage Jackson?
Just asking……………………………………
r74g - February 2, 2012
yup
he’s his brother from a jewish mother. Just needs to make his head a bit fatter, blacker, and more kneed in by Wanderlei and it’s perfect.
t-ha - February 2, 2012
LOL!!
haha agreed on all points, sir!!
r74g - February 2, 2012
idk why but i love kos.
hope he whoops that ass on Saturday and i agree that he beats condit as well.
lukustra - February 2, 2012 via mobile
motorboats that ass?
gspmademegay - February 2, 2012
i don't know about you guys, but it seemed like he meant it as more of a joke
he was “joshing” if you will.
They seemed cool after their fight, i doubt there is any ill will between them.
darkotto23 - February 2, 2012
Helwani really is irritating
You can see how much most of these guys hate him. If he wasn’t Dana’s personal journalistic rent-boy there would be no way he’d score all these interviews.
Cameron Daddo - February 2, 2012
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