Sid Needelman Reporting…
In just a few weeks two guys will be battling to make an even bigger name for themselves at one of the biggest Ultimate Fight Night's ever. In what many people consider one of the most stacked free UFC Fight Night cards yet, the 10 time UFC vet and Armenian fighter, Karo Parisyan will test his judo and MMA abilities against the American Top Team fighter Thiago Alves on April 2nd. MMANews caught up with Karo and got a few answers on his preparations for the fight.
MMANews.com: Hey Karo, thank you for taking the time to speak with us about your upcoming fight. Can you tell us about your upcoming fight against Thiago Alves on April 2nd in the UFC?
Karo Parisyan: He is a tough opponent. The best standup in the game today. Best low kicks and stuff. I have a lot of respect for him and it will be a very tough fight. He is a great opponent.
MMANews.com: What do you think about Alve’s team, American Top Team?
Karo Parisyan: They are a very good team, one of the top teams out there. Great fighters to push each other and a bunch of good guys. I have trained with them before. In fact, I trained and taught some Judo throws to two of their guys. Marcus Aurelio and Aaron Riley.
MMANews.com: Who have you trained with for this fight?
Karo Parisyan: Well, I trained three weeks at Randy Couture’s gym in Las Vegas for three weeks. Now I have my own guys and With David Dunn’s Sidekick school in California. At Randy’s gym I trained with Wanderlei Silva, Mike Pyle and you know all of the guys.
MMANews.com: Anyone special you have worked on for conditioning?
Karo Parisyan: No one special. I just do my normal training, running, sparring, explosive lifting. Just my normal guys.
MMANews.com: You have not mentioned working with Manny [Gamburyan]. Did you train with Manny?
Karo Parisyan: No, I did not train with him at all for this fight.
MMANews.com: No, is there a reason? Is there a problem between you guys?
Karo Parisyan: Uh, I have no comment on that right now.
MMANews.com: Now in your mind, who do you think is the #2 organization behind the UFC?
Karo Parisyan: Well, I guess I will not say the WEC because the UFC owns them, so either Elite XC or the IFL I guess.
MMANews.com: Well you will not have to worry much about it as you have been doing great in the UFC and will probably stay there. Do you think you deserve a title shot if you win this fight with Thiago Alves? I mean they do kind of owe you a title fight.
Karo Parisyan: Yes, for sure. Definitely if I win. I have paid my dues. I was injured and many other guys get the shot when they come back from the injury but I never got my shot. I deserve it if I win again.
MMANews.com: With the new season of the Ultimate Fighter coming up do you have anything to say about the show? Maybe something about you being on it for the day or two you were there?
Karo Parisyan: I was there for three days. They only showed clips of a few things but I was there three days. It is great publicity for the fighters. It is a once in a life time opportunity. For those not having fought in the UFC, they are stars overnight. I have already worked my way up the hard way so it is not for me, but they should thank G-d for the opportunity.
MMANews.com: Thanks for your time I really appreciate you giving us the insight into your next fight and all. Any sponsors to thank?
Karo Parisyan: I do not have them all lined up yet, but I have to thank automaxleasing.com, I have to thank them.
Thiago Alves was unavailable for comment at the time of publication for comment on the fight. However, Auggie Mejia the owner of Sobe Knockouts, a new retail store for MMA gear and clothing in Miami and newest sponsor for Alves, had a few things to mention about Alves. Auggie said that Alves had been in the store three times in the past month while they were “hammering out the details” of the new sponsorship and so he could get to know the fighter better. Each time he would see Alves, Thiago would look even more in shape and Auggie said that he was surprised at how calm and relaxed Alves was about the big opportunity to fight on such a stacked card.
