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Dan Hardy declares Josh Koscheck as a guy worthy of a beating in UFC
By Zach Arnold | May 24, 2010
How are you feeling right now coming off of your loss to Georges St. Pierre?
“I’m feeling pretty good, you know, I’ve got a little time off now so I’m working on a few things, back at Eddie Bravo’s working on my jiu-jitsu and I’m training with Mac Danzig and Chad George over at PKG (Training Center) working on my wrestling, just improving you know. I know what I’ve got to work on from the last fight, I know what I got to do to get back to the belt and to win it and that’s what I’m planning on doing.”
A couple of months of more wrestling training before the GSP fight was something that would have been good. Are you focusing more on wrestling now in your training?
“It’s nice to have some time off, yeah, I mean… the thing is people don’t realize that we fight three times a year but there’s so much other stuff to do in between the fights. You know appearances and obviously you know traveling around and you know going to shows and things. It’s difficult to really get some quality training in so now I’ve got some time off, I can really invest myself in my training and you know get back to enjoying it, you know, I mean sometimes it’s difficult to enjoy training when you have to do it and right now I don’t have to train so I’m just enjoying myself and you know, learning.”
Did all the media hype surrounding you in the fight against St. Pierre bother or distract you?
“Not at all, you know, I enjoyed it. I’ve got a lot of good e-mails from people, I got a lot of hate mail as well but that’s to be expected. But it was a tough camp but it was the first time that I had to deal with that kind of media or attention but you know it’s all part of the game and you know I enjoy it. I’ve got a big mouth anyways so I don’t mind speaking every now and then but it was good, great fun and you know something that I can look back on and enjoy and look forward to the next time.”
What’s the difference between previous losses in your career and this loss to St. Pierre?
“Well, obviously, you know the title’s fight huge and now I know I’ve been in there with GSP, I’ve been in there with the best in the game and you know I know what he can do, I know what his abilities and I know what mine are and now I know what I need to do to be up there with the best. You know, other losses in my career you know there were circumstances, there were silly mistakes I made, you know off nights every now and then. The difference with the GSP fight is that I came in in great shape, I was ready for the fight, and I got beaten fair-and-square because you know he was a better wrestler than me and you know it was refreshing because now I can go away and work on that, take positives from the fight. Before it was just a silly mistake I made and you know something that I have to regret but this fight there was a lot I gained from it.”
What did you think when St. Pierre said that you could become the champion in the future?
“It was nice, you know I mean, the thing is with GSP is he’s such a nice guy anyway. You never know whether he’s just being very complimentary or not. You know, just the fact that he said it was you know it was a nice compliment and you know it gives me you know more inspiration so you know to keep pushing forward.”
What happened with Paul Daley and where does he go from here?
“It’s disappointing, you know I was fighting, I was sitting at the side of the Octagon when it happened and you know it’s just very frustrating, I’ve known Paul for you know for a long time, you know 10 years or so now and he’s always been hot-headed you know and that what’s make him a great fighter because you know he sees an opportunity and he takes it. Unfortunately that was an opportunity that maybe he shouldn’t have taken. I mean, you know, what can you say about (Josh) Koscheck? The guy’s a [expletive]. He faked a knee and he didn’t come to fight, he came to lay on Paul and control him to a decision and you know he’s not going to win any fans like that and I think he knows that as well but he wants his title shot and he’s got it now. I think GSP’s going to give a good beating and I think there are a whole line of other people afterwards waiting to give him a beating as well. As for Paul, you know, he’s always looking on the bright side you know he’ll find something to move onto. I heard he’s signed for another fight in Australia so he’s already got things in the pipeline, but you never know, I mean this sport’s a funny game, you never know what’s around the corner so… they’ll be bigger things for Paul, he’ll come back.”
What can fans expect from you coming up in the near future?
“I know I’m going to be quite later in the year and I’m hoping it’s going to be on the UK show, UFC 120 in London I think it is, so that’s what I’m preparing for. I’m still waiting for the call from the UFC. I’ve had a few names thrown about but people don’t want to take fights at the moment… so I’m still waiting on an opponent, but I’ll be ready when the times come.”
Any targets that you are focusing on wanting to fight?
“You know, there’s really none at the moment. The UFC division’s stacked and I’ve really got not any problems with anybody. Everyone’s cool, everyone’s progressing with their careers so I just want to fight the guys that are going to get me back to a title shot. Obviously you know Koscheck’s, you know, he’s very deserving of a beating but he’s got GSP lined up next, which is unfortunate. Other than Koscheck, there’s not really anybody I’ve got my sights set on so just whoever’s next.”
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Go watch GSP vs. Hardy to see exactly how a Koscheck vs. Hardy fight would look. I enjoy Hardy’s style and bravado, but agaist a good wrestler he will be average at best until he really improves that part of his game.
I have to agree with Hardy. Koscheck definitely does come across as a [expletive] and does deserve a beating.