Josh Koscheck

11/04/2012 5992 Views by

Josh Koscheck | “Kos”
Ht: 5’10 – Wt: 170 – Age: 35
Born: Pennsylvania, USA
Fights out of: Fresno, CA, USA
Team: Dethrone Base Camp
Overall Record: 17-6
UFC Record: 15-6

Background:
Josh Koscheck has been a perennial title contender in the welterweight division, following his participation on season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter. Koscheck wrestled collegiately at Edinboro University where he was a 4-time All-American. Koscheck stepped right into the fire of The Ultimate Fighter house with only 2 fights of professional MMA experience. Koscheck defeated Chris Leben in the first round of fights before losing a close split decision to eventual TUF 1 winner Diego Sanchez. Koscheck moved on to make his official UFC debut at the TUF 1 Finale beating castmate Chris Sanford via knockout. Koshcheck dropped down to welterweight following the win. Koscheck moved on to submit veteran Pete Spratt in the 1st round. Koscheck faced off against another veteran, Drew Fickett, in his next bout, and after dominating most of the fight, Koscheck was stunningly choked out with less than thirty seconds to go in the bout. Koscheck rebounded, winning his next 5 fights, including avenging his previous TUF 1 loss to Sanchez. Koscheck squared off against Georges St.Pierre at UFC 74, losing a competitive unanimous decision. Koscheck won his next two fights over Dustin Hazelett and veteran Chris Lytle before stepping in on short notice to face surging striker Thiago Alves at UFC 90. Koscheck was unable to find an answer for Alves’ striking advantage, losing via unanimous decision. Koscheck scored Knockout of the Night honors in his next fight over Yoshiyuki Yoshida before being knocked out himself by Brazilian newcomer Paulo Thiago. Koscheck rebounded with 3 straight wins over Frank Trigg, Anthony Johnson, and Paul Daley to earn a title shot against Georges St.Pierre. St.Pierre broke Koscheck’s orbital during the fight, rendering Koscheck unable to inflict any significant offense throughout the fight. Koscheck went on to lose a one-sided unanimous decision. Koscheck pondered a move up to middleweight, but instead accepted a short notice bout with former UFC welterweight champion and legend Matt Hughes. After some tentative moments, Koscheck was able to catch Hughes with some punches, scoring the 1st round TKO victory.

2011 Breakdown:
Koscheck went 1-0 in 2011 as he was sidelined for much of 2011 recovering from a broken orbital.
Koscheck ended up facing former champion Matt Hughes at UFC 135 following an injury to Hughes’ original opponent Diego Sanchez. Koscheck started out the fight a bit hesitant as his previous eye injury may have been a lingering concern. Koscheck eventually overwhelmed Hughes with big punches and was able to score the 1st round knockout victory.

2012 Forecast:
Koscheck’s chances of ever earning another title shot against GSP are slim to none. Koscheck can play the role of gatekeeper for viable title contenders, but he may be better off exploring a move to lightweight or middleweight as long as GSP remains champion. With GSP’s injury and a new crop of contenders in the division it looks as if Koscheck will stay at 170 for the immediate future. Koscheck’s eye injury is still a question mark as well. He looked a bit tentative getting hit in his fight with Hughes. He will likely be facing more dangerous strikers in his upcoming fights, so it should be interesting to see if Koscheck begins employing a more wrestling-centered offense.

Josh Koscheck Fight Record

Overall Record: 16-5
2008-2011 Record: 7-3

2011 Record: 1-0
Win | Matt Hughes | KO | Rd 1 | UFC | 09/24/2011

2010 Record: 1-1
Loss | Georges St.Pierre | Dec | Rd 5 | UFC | 12/11/2010
Win | Paul Daley | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 05/08/2010

2009 Record: 2-1
Win | Anthony Johnson | Sub | Rd 2 | UFC | 11/21/2009
Win | Frank Trigg | Tko | Rd 1 | UFC | 09/19/2009
Loss | Paulo Thiago | Tko | Rd 1 | UFC | 02/21/2009

2008 Record: 3-1
Win | Yoshiyuki Yoshida | KO | Rd 1 | UFC | 12/10/2008
Loss | Thiago Alves | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 10/25/2008
Win | Chris Lytle | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 07/05/2008
Win | Dustin Hazelett | Tko | Rd 2 | UFC | 03/01/2008

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