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November 25, 2008
Five Ounces of Pain: Koscheck Eyes Added Significance vs. Yoshida
Despite having just competed on Oct. 25 in a unanimous decision loss to Thiago Alves at UFC 90, welterweight Josh Koscheck is all set to return to action on Dec. 10 during "UFC Fight Night 16: UFC Fight for the Troops."
Koscheck will be headlining the show against Judo specialist Yoshiyuki Yoshida in a match that will have a great deal of ramifications involved pertaining to the former NCAA wrestling standout's standing in the welterweight division.
However, the event, which will air on Spike TV as a three-hour special, holds even greater significance as the event is being held to help raise funds for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The Intrepid Fund is a charity supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families.
During a recent interview with CBSSports.com, Koscheck not only addressed his health coming out of the Alves fight but talked about what it means to him to be involved with an event such as UFN 16.
Click "See More" to continue.
CBSSports.com: I wanted to see if I could get a health update coming off the Thiago Alves fight?
Josh Koscheck: Obviously after the fight I had some minor injuries. Just some bumps and bruises (and a sore) shin and ankle. But today, right now? I'm 100 percent healthy.
Q: What made you want to take two fights with such a short turnaround time between them?
JK: Why not take two fights with a short turnaround time? It's business and I like to fight. I'm always in the gym training. It's a good opportunity to get the name out there and get some wins.
Q: There were some reports that the winner of the fight between you and Alves would receive a future shot at the UFC welterweight title. Were those reports true?
JK: Yeah, they were, actually. They were and I had an opportunity to get back into the limelight and I felt I could take that fight. Thiago Alves is a very tough opponent and I'll never make excuses for losing but he was better that night. It's just that plain and simple.
Q: At the start of the interview, you alluded to some soreness coming out of the Alves fight. Did anyone within your camp try to talk you out of the Yoshiyuki Yoshida fight on Dec. 10?
JK: No. Nobody tells me what to do. I've been on my own for 15 years and I make my own decisions in my life and in my career. Obviously I've got a great management company in Zinkin Entertainment who guides me, but at the end of the day, it's my decision. I've been competing in wrestling my entire life and we would wrestle four or five times in a weekend. So why not fight a couple times back-to-back?
Q: Yoshida is a tough opponent but is still flying under the radar. I know you're not a big fan of coming up with specific game plans for your opponents, but have you scouted any of his fights to try and prepare for his Judo ability?
Click here to read the rest of the Kos interview.
Source: CBS Sports MMA
