"I'm going to come out from bell to bell and just try to crush him. I want to run through him like a tractor bro; like a tank. I have every intention to hurt him with everything I do until the fights over and then I could give him a hung, buy him a drink or hang out with him. But in the cage, it's like this motor starts going with me. I have to bring the old Karo back. I have to bring that aggressive style back to be a contender and become a champion," stated UFC welterweight contender Karo Parisyan as he talked about his return to the Octagon and his upcoming clash with Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 94 this weekend. Check out what else he had to say.
PC: How is everything going Karo?
KP: Good man. Just tired, you know?
PC: Yeah, you sound like you had a long one?
KP: Yeah man. I had a long training session this morning and the strength and conditioning coach kicked my ass.
PC: You've been criticized in the past for not training hard. How important was it for you to bring in a strength and conditioning guy to your camp?
KP: I had to go and do something like that and get serious about my training. All of my life, I got away with just being talented in the fight game somehow. It was God-given and eventually it will catch up to you one day. There are guys out there that train their ass off to beat you so I have to take it serious and train the way they do. As long as I train, I should be on top of the game and I should be the champ!
PC: It seems like an eternity since we've seen you inside of the Octagon. How is your back and how are you feeling physically?
KP: I felt perfectly fine a couple of weeks to a month after the injury. Physically, I'm there, thank God, and I'm ready to go.
PC: Of course the fans want to see the fights and they want blood and you took some criticism for pulling out of the fight before the weigh-ins. Knowing your temperament, I'm sure that was the only option. How disappointing was that to have to pull out of that fight while trying to bounce back from your 1st TKO stoppage loss?
KP: It was very frustrating. I've never been stopped in my life and it kind of woke me up. I remember going to the gym like 4 days later and training my ass off. I was in really good shape and I was ready to fight and man, the day before the weigh-in, I fucking have to pull out. It was unbelievably depressing, shocking and I was asking myself, "Why? Why did this have to happen now?" I trained my butt off, but it's a reason why everything happens.
PC: How important is this fight to you in terms of becoming a fixture in the welterweight division again?
KP: It's very important. It's important to beat him in a very violent way. Everything he does, I do better than him. I have better standup, better takedowns and better submissions. I'm not saying it's going to be an easy fight, but I think I have all of the tools to put him in some uncomfortable situations, to pose my will on top of him and get the victory. I don't want the fight to go to a decision, but if for some reason it does, I want to dominate every single round of the fight. I pretty much just want to get the W. After a fighter loses, when they come back for their next fight, they just want to win. They just want to come back and get a W. They don't care how they get it; they just want the W and that's what I'm shooting for.
PC: You've fought so many times inside of the Octagon and so many tough opponents. It's crazy that you're only 26 years old. Have we not seen the best Karo Parisyan yet inside of the cage?
KP: Without a doubt bro; without a doubt! I got so much left that I have to show to the people. My first UFC fight, when I fought Dave Strasser, people were saying, "Oh my God, that was unbelievable. Who is this kid?" and I want to give them that same feeling. There is so much stuff I have to show these people. That's why I never thought about retiring or anything like that. It's time for me to get back on track, get back to training and back on the winning track. I have to start kicking everybody's ass, doing some magic and some crazy Judo throws. I want to do stuff in the cage that you don't see everyday. Every time I fight, I drop people jaws. They like my fighting style and aggression. I pray to God and I train hard and the outcome will be good.
PC: We've seen guys like Sokoudjou and Nakamura not be able to use their Judo in an MMA fight. Why is your Judo so effective in mixed martial arts?
KP: I've been asked that question probably a million times and I could never answer that question. All I could say is it's beyond the imagination how I'm able to throw people without a Judo Gi and make it effective within the fight game. Thank God I'm able to feel where I can use it. It's beyond me explaining it. I'm able to feel my opponent, feel his weaknesses and where he goes and what he does and I'm able to get that throw. It's like second nature to me. I don't even think about it when I do it. That's what made me a contender in the welterweight division.
PC: Back injuries are tough to come back from. Can we expect the same aggressive and violent Karo that we've grown to love to watch over the years?
KP: Yes sir! I'm going to come out from bell to bell and just try to crush him. I want to run through him like a tractor bro; like a tank. I have every intention to hurt him with everything I do until the fights over and then I could give him a hug, buy him a drink or hang out with him. But in the cage, it's like this motor starts going with me. I have to bring the old Karo back. I have to bring that aggressive style back to be a contender and become a champion. I'll add a few other things and I will have the full package.
PC: This will be your 12th or 13th time fighting in the UFC and only Kim's 3rd. will your experience be the difference in this fight as well?
KP: I think experience is a main factor; where I come from and where he comes from. He's a Judo guy, just like I am, trying to make it in the MMA world, but I think I'm a better martial artist and a better fighter than he is. Only if God forbids and I get hit by lightning, I don't see myself losing this fight.
PC: This is a great card to come back on. Penn vs. St. Pierre is one of the most anticipated rematches in the history of the company. How excited are you to be a part of a card like this?
KP: Ah man, this is like my 3rd or 4th time fighting on Superbowl weekend and it's an honor to fight on a card with all of these great fighters and great champions. I just can't wait to get Dong Hyun Kim out of the way and sit back and enjoy the festivities.
PC: I appreciate your time Karo. It's great to have you back and good luck. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
KP: It's all good man. I want to thank my fans for believing in Karo Parisyan. Don't ever blink! You know I will give you a show. Don't give up on me and I want to thank God!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]