Karo Parisyan discusses plans for the future

Outspoken UFC welterweight contender Karo Parisyan (18-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) was a guest on the latest installment of HDNet’s “Inside MMA,” and during the one-hour episode, he shared information on his next possible fight, as well as his thoughts on women competing in MMA.

The entire episode can be watched online at hdnetfights.com.

During the show, fellow panelist Sam Caplan (our friend at fiveouncesofpain.com) asked Parisyan about rumors that he was offered a fight with fellow contender Jon Fitch but that he had turned it down in fear of losing a possible title shot.

Parisyan denies the rumors.

“I was never offered a fight (with) Jon Fitch ever,” Parisyan said. “Right now, if I want a title shot, I can get a title shot right now — seven months down the line. But I said, ‘That’s too much of a delay, and I’ll get a lot of ring rust.‘

“I don’t want to wait for that long, so I’ll get a fight in between for a more guaranteed win. Jon Fitch? I still think I can beat Jon Fitch. I think I have more tools to beat Jon Fitch. I have tremendous respect for him, but I still think I can beat him… but I need an easier fight than Jon Fitch so I can basically have a high percentage of beating (the opponent) and getting a title shot.“

So when exactly will Parisyan’s next fight take place?

“I’m hearing rumors of April 1 at The Palms (Las Vegas),” Parisyan said. “Maybe either Thiago Alves or Marcus Davis — one of those guys. But like I said, I’ve never really dodged a fight at all. I’ll fight anyone. I’ll fight Fedor (Emelianenko) if I have to. Let’s put it that way.“

The rest of the interview is available at the link below.
http://mmajunkie.com/2007/12/17/karo-parisyan