Former UFC welterweight contender Karo Parisyan has been in talks to fight for Strikeforce, MMA Fighting has learned.
Parisyan has not signed a contract with the San Jose-based organization yet, but if he does, he could debut as early as June 16 on the Strikeforce: Los Angeles show, which would make sense since the Armenian-born fight currently resides in the North Hollywood, Calif., area.
When contacted by MMA Fighting, Strikeforce officials refused to confirm or deny any talks with Parisyan.
Parisyan's final run in the UFC was a tumultuous one. He pulled out of a UFC 88 fight against Yoshiyuki Yoshida hours before the weigh-ins, citing a back injury. Parisyan had talked openly about battling depression and anxiety, and many suspected he had been suffering from those same symptoms leading up to the fight.
Following a victory over Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 94, Parisyan was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for testing positive for banned painkillers.
After serving his suspension, Parisyan was then scheduled to fight Dustin Hazelett at UFC 106, but he pulled out the fight a day before the weigh-ins. UFC president Dana White then tweeted that Parisyan would never fight in the UFC again. Parisyan has still never publicly discussed why he pulled out of the Hazelett fight.
Since November 2007, "The Heat" is 0-1 with 1 no contest. His overall record is 18-5-0 (1 NC).
If he is healthy, the 27-year-old would be a nice addition to the organization's 170-pound division. Nick Diaz is their current welterweight champion.
Parisyan has not signed a contract with the San Jose-based organization yet, but if he does, he could debut as early as June 16 on the Strikeforce: Los Angeles show, which would make sense since the Armenian-born fight currently resides in the North Hollywood, Calif., area.
When contacted by MMA Fighting, Strikeforce officials refused to confirm or deny any talks with Parisyan.
Parisyan's final run in the UFC was a tumultuous one. He pulled out of a UFC 88 fight against Yoshiyuki Yoshida hours before the weigh-ins, citing a back injury. Parisyan had talked openly about battling depression and anxiety, and many suspected he had been suffering from those same symptoms leading up to the fight.
Following a victory over Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 94, Parisyan was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for testing positive for banned painkillers.
After serving his suspension, Parisyan was then scheduled to fight Dustin Hazelett at UFC 106, but he pulled out the fight a day before the weigh-ins. UFC president Dana White then tweeted that Parisyan would never fight in the UFC again. Parisyan has still never publicly discussed why he pulled out of the Hazelett fight.
Since November 2007, "The Heat" is 0-1 with 1 no contest. His overall record is 18-5-0 (1 NC).
If he is healthy, the 27-year-old would be a nice addition to the organization's 170-pound division. Nick Diaz is their current welterweight champion.
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