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Karo Parisyan
File:KaroParisyan.png
Born	Karapet Parisyan (1982-08-28) August 28, 1982 (age 42) Yerevan, Armenia
Native name	Կարո Փարիզյան
Other names	The Heat
Nationality	Armenian
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Division	Welterweight (170 lb)
Reach	75+1⁄2 in (192 cm)
Style	Judo
Fighting out of	North Hollywood, California, U.S.
Team	Team Hayastan Glendale Fight Club S.K. Golden Boys
Rank	Black belt in Judo Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active	1999–present (MMA)

Mixed martial arts record
Total	32
Wins	22
By submission	12
By decision	10
Losses	9
By knockout	4
By submission	1
By decision	4
No contests	1

Other information
Notable relatives	Manvel Gamburyan, cousin
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Karapet "Karo" Parisyan (Template:Lang-hy; born August 28, 1982) is an Armenian mixed martial artist. He is a former WEC Welterweight Champion and UFC fighter.

Early life

Parisyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia. His family migrated to America when he was six years old. Parisyan started training in Judo when he was nine years old under fellow Armenian Gokor Chivichyan. Parisyan stated that his father began taking him to Judo lessons because he beat up on his sisters and Judo would be an effective outlet for Parisyan to take out his anger. In a book he published, however, Parisyan wrote that his father introduced him to judo to cure his laziness. By age 10, Parisyan was training his Judo under both Chivichyan and Gene LeBell.

Mixed martial arts career

Hayastan Grappling System

For more than thirteen years, Parisyan developed under the Hayastan Grappling System, a style developed by Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell, which blends elements of Judo, Sambo, Catch Wrestling, Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling. Parisyan continued to train at the Hayastan Academy under Gokor and Gene until late 2005. In early 2012, Karo mentioned in an interview that he has returned to the Hayastan Academy.

Judo

Parisyan has six Junior National belts to his credit and competed in the Olympic Judo trials ahead of the 2004 games in Athens. He wrote that going to the Olympics was his dream and that mixed martial arts was only an outlet for his boredom. During the trials, he received a call from UFC management and was invited to compete. He accepted because he needed money. But after the fight against Dave Strasser, his ribs needed recovery and he decided to give up on the trials.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Parisyan competes as a welterweight and made his UFC debut on September 23, 2003, beating Dave Strasser by kimura. In his next fight, Parisyan fought Georges St-Pierre and lost via unanimous decision. Parisyan became the first fighter to go the distance with St-Pierre and nearly submitted him in a kimura twice. He then went on to win the WEC welterweight title, defeating Shonie Carter. He then returned to the UFC, where he won consecutive decision victories over Nick Diaz, Chris Lytle and Matt Serra.

Parisyan's next fight was to take place at UFC 56: Full Force, where he would challenge UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes. However, Parysian suffered a hamstring injury and was forced to pull out. Joe Riggs took his place.

He next fought Nick Thompson at UFC 59 and won via submission (strikes) in the first round.

Parisyan than fought Diego Sanchez. He lost via unanimous decision. The fight was chosen as the 2006 Fight of the Year by Wrestling Observer Newsletter. However, it also ended any chance of Parisyan soon getting another UFC title fight.

Following the loss to Sanchez, Parisyan won three consecutive victories over Drew Fickett, Josh Burkman and Ryo Chonan, all via unanimous decision.

Parisyan lost via TKO to Thiago Alves at UFC Fight Night 13 in the second round. Alves showed good resistance against Parisyan's grappling offense and finished Parisyan with a knee from the clinch, followed by strikes.

Parisyan was scheduled to fight Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 88: Breakthrough, but a back injury forced him to drop out of the fight right before the weigh-ins.

After recovering from his back injury, Parisyan returned at UFC 94 on January 31, 2009 in Las Vegas against Dong Hyun Kim. Parisyan defeated Kim in a controversial split decision. Following the fight, Parisyan tested positive for banned painkillers hydrocodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone. Parisyan has stated that he has a prescription for the medications due to a severe back / hamstring injury.

Parisyan was suspended pending a full hearing in mid-March. On March 17, 2009, the NSAC suspended Parisyan for nine months and ruled his decision victory a "no contest".

Parisyan was scheduled to fight Dustin Hazelett at UFC 106, but pulled out of the fight on November 19, the day before weigh-ins. UFC President Dana White responded to the situation on his Twitter stating that Parisyan will "not be fighting Saturday or ever again in the UFC!!" White also stated that he had "a laundry list of excuses." Later that day, Neil Melanson, a longtime friend and training partner of Parisyan's, divulged to MMA news site Five Ounces Of Pain that Parisyan has been battling an addiction to painkillers dating back to an injury suffered while training for a fight.

Post-UFC

Karo Parisyan entered into talks with Strikeforce, looking to continue his mixed martial arts career in the USA, but it proved unsuccessful.

Parisyan's return fight had taken place on July 10, 2010 for Impact FC 1, in which he was formerly scheduled to fight Luis Dutra Jr., but Dutra would end up being forced off the card with a torn biceps. Parisyan's new opponent was then scheduled to be Ben Mortimer, who Parisyan would go on to defeat via rear-naked choke at 4:18 of the second round.

Return to the UFC

On September 2, 2010, it was announced that Karo will be returning to the UFC. He faced Dennis Hallman at UFC 123 in November. Hallman defeated Parisyan via TKO (punches) at 1:47 of round 1. In a discussion with journalist Ariel Helwani following UFC 123, UFC President Dana White stated he believes Parisyan is through fighting in the UFC.

Post Second UFC Run

Karo fought highly touted Canadian prospect Ryan Ford on May 19, 2011 in the MMA Live 1 show in London, Ontario, Canada. He was able to neutralize Ford's strength and power by applying his takedowns, as it seemed that the first and second rounds would lean in favor of Parisyan, but was caught in the third round by a vicious knee to the head which resulted in a cut over Karo's left eye that would end the fight via TKO due to a Doctor's Stoppage.

Parisyan fought Jordan Smith on September 14 in Brazil, Amazon Forest Combat 1. After a long hard battle going the distance, Parisyan came up short, losing the fight by split decision.

He was expected to fight Dave Menne on March 31, 2012, but Menne was forced off the card with an injury. Parisyan instead fought Thomas Denny. He won via unanimous decision.

Parisyan was scheduled to fight Shamar Bailey in the main event of ShoFIGHT 20 in Springfield, Missouri for the vacant welterweight title on June 16, 2012. However, Bailey was forced off the card due to an injury and replaced by fellow UFC veteran John Gunderson. After being stunned by a knee from Gunderson, which resulted in a broken cheek bone, Parisyan was caught in a guillotine choke and forced to lose the fight by submission. Karo said after the fight that he tapped due to the pressure on his cheekbone and he wasn't being choked, but he still lost.

Karo was expected to fight David Bielkheden in Malmo, Sweden on October 6, 2012 but pulled out of the fight due to personal reasons was replaced by Marcus Davis. Parisyan explained, “Everyone knows that it has been a rough road for me over the past couple years. I’ve tried to just refocus myself and get back to throwing people on their heads, but it hasn’t been the same,” Parisyan stated. “Not to take anything away from my opponent, but my last fight was devastating for me. My manager and I had a long talk, and he set me up with a sports psychologist. At this point, I need to listen to my doctor and refocus on my life -- not fighting. God willing, fighting will be back in my life at some point, but for now I need to only focus on Karo getting back to Karo.”

He defeated Tiger Bonds via first round armbar on September 29, 2012 at a Gladiator Challenge event.

Parisyan then fought on October 28, 2012 against Edward Darby and won via first round armbar.

Bellator MMA

Karo's next fight is expected against fellow Judoka, Rick Hawn. The fight will take place at Bellator 95.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Welterweight Championship (One time)

Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- 2006 Fight of the Year vs. Diego Sanchez on August 17

Submission Grappling

Judo
- Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell
- Judo International Champion (4)
- Junior National Champion (6)
- Pan American Judo Silver Medalist

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- BJJ National Champion

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
32 matches	22 wins	9 losses
By knockout	0	4
By submission	12	1
By decision	10	4
No contests	1


Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Win	22–9 (1)	Edward Darby	Submission (armbar)	Gladiator Challenge: Heat Returns	October 28, 2012	1	2:10	San Jacinto, California, United States
Win	21–9 (1)	Tiger Bonds	Submission (armbar)	Gladiator Challenge: King Of The Mountain	September 29, 2012	1	1:03	San Diego, California, United States
Loss	20–9 (1)	John Gunderson	Submission (guillotine choke)	ShoFight 20	June 16, 2012	1	2:47	Springfield, Missouri, United States	For vacant ShoFIGHT Welterweight Championship
Win	20–8 (1)	Thomas Denny	Decision (unanimous)	WMMA 1 - Fighting for a Better World	March 31, 2012	3	5:00	El Paso, Texas, United States
Loss	19–8 (1)	Jordan Smith	Decision (split)	Amazon Forest Combat 1	September 14, 2011	3	5:00	Manaus, Brazil
Loss	19–7 (1)	Ryan Ford	TKO (cut)	JEG - MMA Live 1	May 19, 2011	3	1:26	London, Ontario, Canada	Doctor stopped the fight due to a cut that opened on Parisyan.
Loss	19–6 (1)	Dennis Hallman	TKO (punches)	UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida	November 20, 2010	1	1:47	Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States
Win	19–5 (1)	Ben Mortimer	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Impact FC 1 - The Uprising	July 10, 2010	2	4:18	Brisbane, Australia
NC	18–5 (1)	Dong Hyun Kim	No Contest	UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2	January 31, 2009	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Original split decision win; failed post-fight drug test for banned painkillers.
Loss	18–5	Thiago Alves	TKO (strikes)	UFC Fight Night 13	April 2, 2008	2	0:34	Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win	18–4	Ryo Chonan	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 78: Validation	November 17, 2007	3	5:00	Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win	17–4	Josh Burkman	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson	May 26, 2007	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	16–4	Drew Fickett	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night 7	December 13, 2006	3	5:00	San Diego, California, United States
Loss	15–4	Diego Sanchez	Decision (unanimous)	UFC Fight Night 6	August 17, 2006	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	2006 Fight of the Year.
Win	15–3	Nick Thompson	Submission (strikes)	UFC 59 - Reality Check	April 15, 2006	1	4:44	Anaheim, California, United States
Win	14–3	Matt Serra	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 53: Heavy Hitters	June 4, 2005	3	5:00	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	13–3	Chris Lytle	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 51: Super Saturday	February 5, 2005	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	12–3	Nick Diaz	Decision (split)	UFC 49: Unfinished Business	August 21, 2004	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	11–3	Shonie Carter	Decision (unanimous)	WEC 10 - Bragging Rights	May 21, 2004	3	5:00	Lemoore, California, United States	Won WEC Welterweight Championship.
Loss	10–3	Georges St-Pierre	Decision (unanimous)	UFC 46: Supernatural	January 31, 2004	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	10–2	Dave Strasser	Submission (kimura)	UFC 44: Undisputed	September 26, 2003	1	3:52	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	9–2	Fernando Vasconcelos	Decision	King of the Cage 22	March 23, 2003	3	5:00	San Jacinto, California, United States
Win	8–2	Antonio McKee	Decision	Ultimate Cage Fighting 3	February 15, 2003	N/A	N/A	Hollywood, California, United States
Win	7–2	Darrell Smith	Submission	Reality Submission Fighting 3	March 30, 2001	1	0:59	Belleville, Illinois, United States
Loss	6–2	Sean Sherk	TKO (corner stoppage)	Reality Submission Fighting 2	January 5, 2001	1	16:20	Belleville, Illinois, United States
Loss	6–1	Sean Sherk	Decision	Reality Submission Fighting 1	October 10, 2000	1	18:00	Belleville, Illinois, United States
Win	6–0	Guido Jennings	Submission (choke)	Kage Kombat 16	June 7, 1999	1	6:33	California, United States
Win	5–0	Justin Bumphus	Submission	ESF - Empire One	May 15, 1999	N/A	N/A	Corona, California, United States
Win	4–0	Scott Davis	Submission (armbar)	Kage Kombat 14	April 5, 1999	1	2:16	Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	3–0	Jason Rittgers	Submission (armbar)	Kage Kombat 14	April 5, 1999	1	1:58	Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	2–0	Zach McKinney	Submission (strikes)	Kage Kombat 12	February 1, 1999	1	0:23	Los Angeles, California, United States
Win	1–0	Brian Warren	Submission (ankle lock)	Kage Kombat 12	February 1, 1999	1	0:44	Los Angeles, California, United States