Karo Parisyan slated to make his UFC return
One-time welterweight contender Karo “The Heat” Parisyan is set to make his return to the largest mixed martial arts promotion in the world, the UFC, against Dennis Hallman at UFC 123 in Auburn Hill, Michigan. The news was revealed by MMAfighting.com’s Ariel Helwani.
It’s something of a surprise, given what occurred before UFC 106, when Parisyan was set to take on fellow grappler Dustin Hazelett. Parisyan pulled out of the fight at the last moment, and UFC president Dana White wrote shortly after on his Twitter “Karo Parisyan has [expletive] over the UFC, the fans and his opponent again!!! He will not be fighting Saturday or ever again in the UFC.”
Parisyan, who suffers from anxiety disorder, had previously pulled out of a fight at UFC 88. It wasn’t the only issue he’d had either, as he’d tested positive for a steroid after his controversial split-decision win over Dong Hyun-Kim at UFC 94. That changed his victory to a no-contest.
Since getting cut, he fought once outside the UFC at an event in Australia, picking up a win over Ben Mortimer by submission in the second round. At the event, he requested his fight be started earlier than planned, possibly due to struggles with anxiety.
Parisyan is an Armenian-American who became one of the UFC’s most visible fighters, combining his brash personality with a then-unique style which saw him transition his outstanding judo background to no-gi mixed martial arts. At one point he seemed close to a title shot, but losses derailed his chances. Still, he has only lost in the UFC to Diego Sanchez, Thiago Alves and Georges St-Pierre, all of whom have either held a belt or challenged for one.
No reason was given for White allowing Parisyan back, but he was rumoured to be close to signing a deal with Strikeforce, the UFC’s main competitor, so that may have influenced the UFC’s decision.
His opponent, Dennis Hallman, is 1-1 in the UFC and is coming off of a win over Ben Saunders at UFC 117 in August.
Tags: