Do or die: Josh Koscheck UFC Fight Night 16 interview exclusive with MMAmania.com
Josh Koscheck doesn’t like losing.
After back-to-back wins over Dustin Hazelett and Chris Lytle , Koscheck came off the bench to replace an injured Diego Sanchez on just two weeks notice to battle rising star Thiago Alves at UFC 90 back on October 25.
He didn’t win.
Now — less than six weeks removed from the loss — the former collegiate national champion wrestler is slated to headline UFC Fight Night 16: “Fight for the Troops” against the very dangerous Japanese fighter, Yoshiyuki Yoshida.
That’s a tough fight for anyone in the welterweight division … much less someone coming off a loss to the bruising Brazilian.
Koscheck knows what is at stake — he put himself in this position. And now he feels as if his back is up against the wall. He needs to win or risk dropping farther back in the pack in the very competitive 170-pound title contender chase.
We recently caught up with the former contestant on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) to get his thoughts on the Alves fight, how he plans to topple “Zenko” later tonight, who he feels is the next 155-pound champion, contract issues and much, much more.
Let’s get to it:
Josh Koscheck: You got these questions for me or what? We going to do this? I’m ready to talk some shit! (Laughs).
MMAmania.com: So how have you been since we last spoke … are you ready for Wednesday night?
Josh Koscheck: I’m good. I feel good. Training went great — I could not have asked for a better training camp. I’m in great shape. In fact, we were talking tonight about how the fight against Thiago Alves was actually just part of this training camp to get ready for Yoshida. I’ve been training to get ready for this guy forever so I’m ready to go. I just want to get in the Octagon and get this fight over with so I can go
home and relax for awhile.
MMAmania.com: How long before you accepted the fight against Alves on short notice were you training for “Zenko?”
Josh Koscheck: A few weeks. I fought Thiago on October 25. So it was probably around the end of September. That was a long time ago.
MMAmania.com: Is there any concern that perhaps you overtrained for this fight or are maybe a little exhausted mentally and/or physically?
Josh Koscheck: No, I’m always in the gym whether or not I have a fight coming up. There’s a difference between being in shape and being in fighting shape. I always stay in shape — I’m not a person who just puts six-or eight-week camps together once bout agreements are signed. It’s just a matter of turning it up as the fight gets closer and doing whatever it takes to prepare for my upcoming opponents.
MMAmania.com: Were you in “fighting shape” for Thiago Alves?
Josh Koscheck: I don’t know. Mentally, yes, without a doubt. Physically, I wasn’t gassed after the fight. I could have gone a few more rounds. I’d just say it is what it is — I’m not going to make any excuses regarding that performance.
MMAmania.com: Have you watched that fight since the unanimous decision loss?
Josh Koscheck: I did not get to see that fight yet. No. I went on vacation for like three days right after it to rest my body and heal up a little. I think I was back in the gym training like three or four days after
that.
MMAmania.com: Is that because you were disappointed with the fight and didn’t want to watch or was it really just because it wasn’t a priority with your busy schedule?
Josh Koscheck: I never make a point to watch any of my fights to be honest. If someone close to me like my trainers or friends are watching them, of course, I’ll check them out. But I don’t make a point to sit and breakdown my fights win or lose. It’s not like I tell myself “hey I want to see myself on television, either.” I have a big ego but not that big (Laughs). Having said that I have seen most of my fights and it’s always good to see the mistakes that I made and the areas where I can improve. But it’s just not something I do as soon as a fight ends or anything like that.
MMAmania.com: What mistakes did you make in Thiago fight that you can remember without the benefit of rewatching it?
Josh Koscheck: I just think … uh … I don’t know. Again, I don’t want to make any excuses for the fight. He was better than me on that night. That’s what it all boils down to. It’s really that plain and simple.
MMAmania.com: There were some comments made by your coaches at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in the wake of the loss about your execution — or lack thereof – of the game plan during the fight. Thoughts?
Josh Koscheck: That’s their opinion. They can be frustrated and say whatever, but what really was the game plan? It’s a fight. A lot of times you can plan all you want and it won’t go that way you want it to. That’s the nature of the sport. Plus, we had just seven days to train and “game plan” for Thiago. What kind of winning “game plan” can you put together in that brief amount of time regardless of the opponent? I wanted to fight the way I wanted to fight. I’m always going to fight the way I want to fight. Don’t get me wrong: My coaches do a great job of helping me get ready and providing me with everything I need to compete at my best. But at the end of the day I’m the one getting kicked and punched in the face. So, again, it is what it is. Thiago was the better man that night. He kicked my butt and I’m not afraid to say that. I got beat. I don’t make excuses.
MMAmania.com: So there is nothing you would have done differently?
Josh Koscheck: Nope. Maybe punch him in the face more and not get kicked as much. But other than that, no, there isn’t much more I could have done on October 25. Knowing what I know now, and if I get to fight him again, I’d probably change a lot of stuff. But that’s behind me now and I’m not focused on that. I don’t care about that fight right now. I can’t change it. All I’m concerned about now is winning on December 10.
MMAmania.com: Okay … moving on then. The last couple of fights it appears that you have not relied on your strong wrestling pedigree, opting to mix it up on the feet more frequently. Is that a response to fans who used to refer to you as the “blanket” or just because you’ve come that far …
or both?
Josh Koscheck: Well, I used my wrestling against Chris Lytle and we all saw what happened there. That was just two fights ago. It just depends on the opponent and the strategy. I need to put myself in the best situation to win. I’m not trying to prove anything like I have good stand up, or I can knockout people or kick people – I’m not trying to prove anything like that. I just want to win fights.
MMAmania.com: So how are you going to win on Wednesday against Mr. Yoshida?
Josh Koscheck: I’m going to try and be a monster on this guy and run him over. That’s my plan. I’m in great physical shape. And mentally I’m also in a good state. I’m real relaxed — I haven’t thought much about this fight at all to be honest until I got here (North Carolina). I’m ready. I just want to get that win, go on vacation, come home and enjoy it.
MMAmania.com: Where are you going on vacation?
Josh Koscheck: Home! That’s where my ass is headed.
MMAmania.com: Home meaning Pennsylvania or home meaning California?
Josh Koscheck: Fresno. I’m just going to relax at my house for a couple of weeks and lay low. I don’t think I’ve been home in five weeks.
MMAmania.com: Well I’m sure you’re going to need some rest because Yoshida is once again a very tough opponent. It seems lately all you’ve been fighting recently are tough guys. He, however, may be terribly underrated. He is certainly not well known among the casual audience. Is fighting a guy like him a big risk … especially coming off a loss?
Josh Koscheck: This is a must-win fight. This is do or die. I don’t like losing to begin with much less two in a row. It’s in the back of my head, but I feel I prepared the best I possibly can for this fight. I’m in great shape. I just have to go out there and put it together like I do in training and I’ll be fine. If I can do that it will be an easy fight.
MMAmania.com: What are your thoughts on Yoshida … have you seen any of his fights?
Josh Koscheck: I’ve actually never seen him fight. I haven’t watched any film on him at all. I’m not really focused on what he does or what he can do — I just focus on what I have to do to win this fight. As fighters we grow and mature so I’m prepared for wherever this fight — or any other fight for that matter — ends up. It doesn’t matter if I’m on my back, on top or trading with him. It’s all the same to me.
MMAmania.com: Well then how do you see this fight unfolding?
Josh Koscheck: I’d like to finish this fight early — that’s the ultimate goal. But if it goes 15 minutes it goes 15 minutes. I just hope the fans get what they want and that’s a great fight. It’s free on Spike TV, too. You can’t ask for much more than that.
MMAmania.com: I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t ask your thoughts on fighting in front of the troops for such a noble cause.
Josh Koscheck: It’s awesome. And it’s an honor being in the main event. It’s a good opportunity to give back to the military and support the troops because they are the true fighters. They are the warriors in there every day protecting our country and others safe. It’s because of them that we can do what we do. So yeah, this is a huge honor. Hopefully, the MMA fans around the nation can find it in there hearts to support the cause and give a little back. I know I will.
MMAmania.com: Are there any additional obligations outside the cage that you are responsible for while in town because of this special event?
Josh Koscheck: No, it’s actually even less. The UFC brought in a ton of fighters to do all the public relations and appearances to help promote this cause. Randy Couture, Kendall Grove, Kenny Florian, Marcus Davis — there are a ton of guys here this week doing all that stuff. I actually just bumped into Chuck Liddell down in the lobby. Fans around here have to be loving this … I know I am. I’ve been able to relax all week. In fact, today I slept until about 2 p.m. ET. That never happens. I’ve really been able to just focus on this fight and nothing else.
MMAmania.com: How your good friend Chuck doing these days?
Josh Koscheck: He’s doing real well. He’s been touring around the country and doing his thing. I’m sure he’ll be back in the gym real soon and back in the Octagon, too, knocking guys out.
MMAmania.com: I heard Chuck ran into some problems while in Alaska as part of a USO tour.
Josh Koscheck: Yeah, I also heard about that. But I have no idea what happened or if it’s even true.
MMAmania.com: Ok back on topic: With a win where does that put you in terms of the very crowded 170-pound division heading into 2009?
Josh Koscheck: Right now I’m pretty much stacked up with everybody else. There’s a bunch of us from number two on down kind of just all grouped together. With a win I’d hopefully separate myself a little from that pack and begin to work my way toward becoming the number one title contender. With a win I’d also get one step closer to fighting Thiago that’s for sure. I think with an eight or ten week training camp I can beat him. I want to just improve every time I go out there and eventually work my way back toward the top. If I keep winning everything else will take care of itself. I just need to step up, perform and do what I do best.
MMAmania.com: Who do you like in the fight between Georges and BJ Penn?
Josh Koscheck: I don’t really care. I just want someone to win so we can get this division moving a little and see what’s going to happen in this weight class. All I care about right now is taking care of business Wednesday night and getting my ass back in the win column. The sooner I do that the sooner I eventually get a title shot.
MMAmania.com: Thiago has earned the next title shot so a rematch with him anytime soon might be out of the question. Anybody else out there you have your eye on?
Josh Koscheck: I don’t know. Who else is there? I’m not going to fight Jon Fitch, my good friend and training partner — he seems to be a little bit ahead of me, especially if he wins his next fight. I’m not going to fight Mike Swick. So I don’t really know. Besides, I don’t make those decisions. The UFC offers me opponents and that’s who I fight. I’ve got Yoshida on Wednesday and I know I can’t overlook this guy. I have to whoop him first before I can worry about anything else like that.
MMAmania.com: Since you mentioned Fitch … what do you think about that whole fiasco about him being cut (and reinstated shortly thereafter) and Dana White trashing your management and training teams?
Josh Koscheck: Man, I have no comment on that right now. Talk to me in a couple of weeks. I’ve tried to not think about that stuff, deciding to just focus on my fight.
MMAmania.com: Well, I guess it’s now public knowledge that the organization has the contractual right to cut any fighter after a loss. Dana, even though he was ticked and threatened to not do business with anyone on the AKA roster in the future, indicated that you were safe – at least for the time being – because you bailed them out by taking the Alves fight.
Josh Koscheck: Listen, my job is to fight. I let Dwayne [Zinkin] and Bob [Cook] handle all that business-related stuff. That’s their job and that’s what they get paid to do. They’ll tell me what they think is in my best interests and, ultimately, leave it up to me to make the decisions that I think are best for me and my career. I’m not concerned about that stuff right now. I’m sure I’ll speak directly with Dana real soon and we’ll figure all this out. Now is not the time for that, though. It’s time to fight.
MMAmania.com: This is the last thing I’ll mention on the subject … I swear. There’s was an ESPN.com report that indicated you still have not signed – and will not sign – the video game licensing agreement. True or untrue?
Josh Koscheck: I don’t know about that. I’m concerned about fighting on December 10. All that other stuff will work itself out after December 10.
MMAmania.com: Sounds good. At least I can say I tried.
Josh Koscheck: Yeah, I’ll give you an “A” for effort.
MMAmania.com: So back on topic again: Where’s your weight at right now (note that this interview was conducted the night before weigh-ins)?
Josh Koscheck: I just got done with training and I weighed 175 pounds.
MMAmania.com: That seems real light for you.
Josh Koscheck: It’s unusual. I’m definitely a little light. But then again it’s perfect — I don’t have to kill myself cutting weight tomorrow.
MMAmania.com: Speaking of cutting weight, did you here your old buddy Diego Sanchez is making the drop to 155 pounds?
Josh Koscheck: Oh yeah! I like that. Mark my words: If he can make the weight and not lose anything he will be the champion at 155. Guaranteed. He’s got a great ground game and he always comes in great shape. I think he can overwhelm those 155 pounders.
MMAmania.com: Does that disappoint you at all since it means you may miss out on a third fight with Diego and perhaps a big payday?
Josh Koscheck: Not at all. What’s important is that I keep winning fights. That’s the path that I’m on. And that path does not have to have Diego Sanchez on it. We had our thing. And if it’s time for him to move on then so be it. We both have to look out for what is best for both of us and our careers. You can’t worry about trilogies or any of that other stuff.
MMAmania.com: Does his decision pique your interest at all about a possible move south?
Josh Koscheck: If I knew I could comfortably make the cut to 155 and not have it affect my performance then I’d be stupid not to consider it. Bet my ass I’d be down there. I just think right now that weight class is a little bit out of my reach. It would take some time to get my body adjusted.
MMAmania.com: Alright, Josh. We’ve taken a lot of your time. Thanks again. Best of luck on Wednesday. Any final thoughts on the fight or anything you want to say to the fans out there?
Josh Koscheck: I just want to say thanks as always — the reception I’ve been getting recently has been awesome. Without the fans I wouldn’t be able to do what I do so I am grateful. There would be no MMA without their support! I know I take a lot of heat, but there are a ton of great people out there.
MMAmania.com: You may see more of that on Wednesday night going up against a Japanese fighter in front of a very patriotic American crowd.
Josh Koscheck: (Laughs) Yeah, I think that’s the UFC’s plan to get me cheered for once (Laughs).
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