Karo and Strikeforce: Who Needs Who? (More)
by David St. Martin on May 6, 2010 1:36 AM EDT
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With Jake Shields likely on the move after his recent ‘going away party' fight vs. Dan Henderson, Strikeforce is getting pretty thin in the notable names department as far as welterweights go. Nick Diaz has been on a tear since joining the promotion last April, adding to his six fight win streak carrying over from EliteXC and DREAM. After his trip to the land of the rising sun on the 29th, against a desperate Hayato "Mach" Sakurai, what's next? We know Diaz likes fighting at catchweight, so why not Karo Parisyan?
Parisyan, once considered a top contender in the UFC's welterweight division has been pretty quiet since being released from the organization on November 19th. In case you haven't been following his train wreck of a career, here's a quick synopsis.
Loses to GSP in 2004, went 8-1 in the UFC only dropping a decision to Diego Sanchez in 2006, gets TKOed by Thiago Alves in 2008, pulls out of fight with Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 88 hours before the weigh-ins, citing a back injury, in January 2009 he takes a split decision victory over Dong Hyun Kim and tests positive for banned painkillers, fight is ruled a no contest and he is suspended by the NSAC, was booked to fight Dustin Hazelette at UFC 106 last November and pulls out the day before weigh ins. Dana White twitters that he will never fight in the UFC ever again.
"The Heat" has been pretty open about his issues with anxiety and depression, so if he can sort out his issues he could be a major boost to the division. However, if his problems persist and carry into his new career in Strikeforce, it could just be another blunder for the home of ‘the brawl.' Bad publicity is the last thing they need right now. Karo could be booked as soon as June if he signs, but rushing him into something doesn't empirically seem like the best idea.
This is kind of like that couple we all know who are only dating each other as a last resort. Everyone needs love (Zak) and this seems like a relationship more out of necessity than appeal. We'll see what happens.
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I almost made the third poll option "David's girlfriend"
almost…
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Hoya Saxa
by David St. Martin on May 6, 2010 1:47 AM EDT reply actions
Karo's made some destructive choices.
I personally hope he has a real career to fall back on after this. Hopefully he put some of his money towards college since he’s been fighting since high school.
I think Strikeforce is more desperate only cause they have been looking like a sinking ship where as Karo is still a name and could fight (abeit less money) on any smaller promotion or in Japan.
Yep
Strikeforce dont have the same luxury Karo does. The fact that Karo was in the UFC, he will be able to use that for the rest of his life. Hell, look at Don Frye, Wes Sims, Gary Goodrige and Frank Shamrock. These guys have all used the former UFC fighter as a way to make a living. So, Strikeforce is SOL if they fold.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
I cant even believe people are voting for strikeforce
Karo has a name, but he is no Hendo, and strikeforce knows that bringing him in includes a bit of a risk as far as his reliability. Karo has everything to prove and no leveraging power.
NoN BE poster
Karo would be a great addition to their ww div., he's explosive, hardly a dull moment with the heat
would like to see sheilds vs karo, but sheilds is too big for ww. Interesting nonetheless.
i agree – karo would be in 1 or 2 fights the best fighter on board, but his performance is quite risky right now…but if he can prove he is all right, he can boost strikeforce another level up – he fought almost 10 years without problems, so now he can add another 10 :)
Watch all 35 fights of Fedor Emelianenko
Although signing Karo would definitely be a boon for Strikeforce’s depth-challenged roster, if I were Scott Coker I’d be extremely cautious about immediately putting him in a high-profile match-up.
Karo needs to get a fight under his belt (and pass a subsequent drug test) in order to prove that his troubles are truly behind him. If he’s able to do that then Strikeforce will have some really interesting matches they can put together. Diaz-Parisyan II, anyone?
"Old Dogs does to the screen what old dogs do to the carpet. It's unfortunate that only the latter can be taken out and shot." -Kyle Smith
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