| Josh Koscheck | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1977-11-30)November 30, 1977 (age 48) Waynesburg,Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Kos | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Middleweight Welterweight | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 73 in (185 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Stance | Orthodox | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Fresno,California, United States | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | Dethrone Base Camp AKA (formerly) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Black Belt in BrazilianJiu-Jitsu[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | NCAA Division IWrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2004–2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| By submission | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| By decision | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable school | Waynesburg Central High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Josh Koscheck (born November 30, 1977) is an American retired mixed martial artist who fought in theWelterweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC) andBellator MMA. Koscheck made his debut with the UFC on thefirst season of thereality television showThe Ultimate Fighter as amiddleweight, and had since fought for the company 25 times from 2005–2015, compiling a UFC record of 15–10 and having contended for theUFC Welterweight Championship once.
Prior to hisMMA career, Koscheck was an accomplishedwrestler atWaynesburg Central High School, graduating in 1997. He attendedEdinboro University, where he won the 174-poundnational championship in 2001 as asenior, and was a four-timeNCAADivision 1All-Americancollegiate wrestler.
Koscheck appeared on thefirst season ofThe Ultimate Fighter as amiddleweight fighter. He defeatedChris Leben via unanimous decision to advance to the semifinals, where he was defeated byDiego Sanchez via split decision. Koscheck had his first official UFC fight on April 9, 2005, atThe Ultimate Finale, where he defeatedChris Sanford with a first-round KO. Koscheck followed this victory with another win atUFC Ultimate Fight Night overPete Spratt in Koscheck's debut at welterweight. Since then, Koscheck has amassed an additional three victories after experiencing his first career loss toDrew Fickett due to a rear naked choke. Koscheck then defeatedJonathan Goulet atUFC Fight Night 6 by submission due to strikes.
In 2006, Koscheck began training at theAmerican Kickboxing Academy (AKA) inSan Jose, California, to which he accredits his vastly improved kickboxing technique.
Koscheck's fight on December 13, 2006 was againstBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Jeff Joslin atUFC Fight Night 7 where he won by unanimous decision.
Koscheck was then scheduled to fightDiego Sanchez on April 7, 2007 atUFC 69. This was the second encounter between the two Ultimate Fighter 1 alumni, now fighting as welterweights. The first fight – which did not count towards Koscheck's official record due to the bout being considered an exhibition match forThe Ultimate Fighter television taping – resulted in a split decision win for Sanchez. At the weigh-ins for the event, Sanchez shoved Koscheck during the traditional post-weigh-in staredown. Although Sanchez continued to shout at Koscheck, no conflict ensued. In their fight, Koscheck defeated Sanchez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Koscheck outstruck Sanchez throughout all three rounds and only shot in for a takedown once. During his post-fight interview, Koscheck repeatedly exclaimed, "Nineteen-and-one," in reference to Sanchez' first mixed martial arts defeat (including the two fights fromThe Ultimate Fighter show). UFC PresidentDana White announced a few weeks after the fight that Diego Sanchez had an undiagnosed illness before and during the fight which turned out to be a serious staph infection.[2]
On August 25, 2007, Koscheck was defeated byGeorges St-Pierre atUFC 74 via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28). St-Pierre's wrestling skills were displayed during the match by outwrestling Koscheck, scoring takedowns, stuffing Koscheck's takedown attempts and maintaining top position throughout most of the fight. There was speculation before the fight that Koscheck would outmatch St-Pierre on the ground due to his credentials, but St-Pierre was confident that he was a better wrestler and striker and was more well-versed in submissions than Koscheck.[3]
Koscheck would rebound with a second round TKO victory overDustin Hazelett atUFC 82.
Koscheck then facedChris Lytle atUFC 86, winning by unanimous decision after repeatedly taking Lytle down and cutting him badly with "ground and pound" elbows.[4]
Koscheck then agreed to step in and fightThiago Alves atUFC 90 on just 2 weeks notice due to an injury suffered byDiego Sanchez. Koscheck lost the fight via unanimous decision. Alves landed powerful leg kicks and managed to drop Koscheck more than once during the fight.[5][6]
On December 10, 2008, Koscheck foughtYoshiyuki Yoshida in the main event atUFC: Fight for the Troops and won by KO in the first round by landing two devastating straight right punches to Yoshida's head. The Japanese fighter remained on the canvas, while being tended to by commission doctors and was removed from the Octagon on a stretcher as a precautionary measure. He was later treated and released from a local hospital for a concussion. Koscheck received $30,000 bonus from theUFC forKnockout of the Night.[7]
Koscheck fought promotional newcomerPaulo Thiago atUFC 95.[8] Koscheck was defeated by the debuting Brazilian via first-round KO. Thiago hit Koscheck squarely with a right uppercut and landed a left hook as Koscheck fell to the canvas in a stupor. After the bout was halted, Koscheck got up and argued that he was still alert and able to defend himself. Shortly after the stoppage, Koscheck was seen calmly offering his opinion of the stoppage to the referee: "Too early - just a little bit too early."
Koscheck was to fightChris Wilson atUFC 98 but was forced to withdraw after suffering a foot injury in training. He returned atUFC 103 and defeated returning veteranFrank Trigg via TKO (punches) in the 1st round.
Koscheck was expected to faceMike Pierce on January 11, 2010, atUFC Fight Night 20,[9] but instead went on to faceAnthony Johnson on November 21, 2009, atUFC 106.
On November 21, 2009 atUFC 106, Koscheck defeatedAnthony Johnson by rear naked choke at 4:47 in the 2nd round. In the first round, Koscheck blocked a knee aimed at his head while he had two knees on the ground. Koscheck went to the ground holding his face, prompting the referee to step in and deduct a point from Johnson. Commentators accused Koscheck of faking the impact of the knee, which seemed to miss Koscheck's face on the replays. Koscheck has said in multiple interviews that he was reacting to an eye poke, not the knee.[10] In round two, Koscheck poked Johnson in the eye twice leading to Johnson being given time to recover. Because of this, many fans think due to the controversy in both rounds between the fighters, it should've been declared a No Contest. In his post fight interview, he called outDan Hardy, the #1 contender in the Welterweight Division. This fight earned him two $75,000 awards forFight of the Night andSubmission of the Night totaling $140,000.[11]
Koscheck was scheduled to rematchPaulo Thiago atUFC 109, but was forced off the card with an injury and was replaced byAKA teammateMike Swick.[12]
Koscheck was signed to fightPaul Daley atUFC 113, which he won by unanimous decision. The fight however, was not without controversy as similar to his fight with Anthony Johnson, Koscheck faked being hit with an illegal knee, resulting in a point deduction for Daley. After the final bell, Daley walked up to Koscheck and delivered a sucker punch to Koscheck, resulting in him being restrained by the referee. In an interview at the conclusion of the event, Dana White announced that Daley would never fight in the UFC again. White was quoted as saying, "He will never come back, I do not care if he's the best 170-pounder in the world. He's never coming back here. There's no excuse for that. You never hit a guy like that after the bell." ViaTwitter, Koscheck expressed a desire to faceTito Ortiz at a catchweight after his fight with Daley, in large part because Ortiz poked fun atMark Coleman after he was defeated atUFC 109.[13]
In 2010, Koscheck was a coach onThe Ultimate Fighter season 12. The season 12 finale aired on December 4, 2010 with the main event consisting of two fighters (Michael Johnson andJonathan Brookins) from teamGeorges St-Pierre.[14]
Koscheck facedGeorges St-Pierre in a rematch atUFC 124 for theUFC Welterweight Championship. UFC 124 was heavily hyped due to Josh's well known animosity towards St-Pierre, stemming from his loss by decision in their fight atUFC 74. St Pierre utilized his left jab effectively in the bout, winning all rounds to defeat Koscheck 50-45 by unanimous decision.[15] This fight earned him a $100,000Fight of the Night award.[16]
Koscheck suffered a brokenorbital bone on the right side of his face during the fight with St-Pierre. Since he was unable to fly due to air pockets which formed around his right eye, the UFC arranged for Koscheck and his trainer to drive toBoston, where Koscheck received corrective surgery.[17]
Koscheck defeated former UFC welterweight championMatt Hughes on September 24, 2011 atUFC 135 via KO in the first round, replacing an injuredDiego Sanchez.[18] This fight earned him a $75,000Knockout of the Night award.[19]
Koscheck was expected to faceCarlos Condit on February 4, 2012 atUFC 143.[20] However, on December 7, 2011, it was revealedGeorges St-Pierre had sustained ACL injury to his left knee and the injury would sideline him for around ten months, forcing him out of his scheduled bout withNick Diaz.[21] Condit and Diaz faced each other at the event with the winner crowned interimUFC Welterweight Champion, while Koscheck facedMike Pierce at the event.[22] He won the fight via split decision.
Koscheck then facedJohny Hendricks on May 5, 2012 atUFC on Fox 3.[23] He lost the fight via split decision.
Koscheck was expected to faceJake Ellenberger on September 1, 2012 atUFC 151.[24] However, Koscheck pulled out of the bout citing a back injury.[25]
Koscheck faced returning veteranRobbie Lawler on February 23, 2013 atUFC 157.[26] Despite being able to take down Lawler several times during the fight, Koscheck lost by TKO after being rocked by a knee to the head while shooting for a takedown, then finished with punches on the ground by Lawler at 3:57 on the 1st round.
Koscheck was expected to faceDemian Maia on August 3, 2013 atUFC 163.[27] However, Koscheck was forced out of the bout with an injury and as a result, Maia was pulled from the card as well.[28]
Koscheck next facedTyron Woodley atUFC 167 on November 16, 2013.[29] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
Koscheck was briefly linked to a bout withNeil Magny atUFC 184 on February 28, 2015.[30] However, the pairing was cancelled and Koscheck instead facedJake Ellenberger at the event.[31] Koscheck lost the fight via submission in the second round.[32]
Just 21 days after his loss to Ellenberger, Koscheck replaced an injuredBen Saunders to faceErick Silva on March 21, 2015 atUFC Fight Night 62.[33] Koscheck lost the fight by submission in the first round.[34]
On June 26, 2015, it was announced that Koscheck signed a multi-year deal withBellator MMA.[35] Koscheck was set to make his debut against fellow welterweight Matthew Secor on January 29, 2016 in his home town of Fresno, California and was set to also be the main event.
It was announced on January 31, 2017, that Koscheck's previously delayed Bellator debut would take place at Bellator 172 on February 18, 2017 against Mauricio Alonso.[36] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
Koscheck officially announced his retirement from MMA on June 28, 2018.[37]
Koscheck attended and graduated fromEdinboro University with abachelor's degree incriminal justice, becoming the first member of his family to obtain a college degree.
Koscheck has been married to Tiaira Nowlin, a realty agent, since 2017.[38][39]
| 28 matches | 17 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 4 |
| By submission | 4 | 3 |
| By decision | 7 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 17–11 | Mauricio Alonso | TKO (punches) | Bellator 172 | February 18, 2017 | 1 | 4:42 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Loss | 17–10 | Erick Silva | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare | March 21, 2015 | 1 | 4:21 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 17–9 | Jake Ellenberger | Submission (north-south choke) | UFC 184 | February 28, 2015 | 2 | 4:20 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 17–8 | Tyron Woodley | KO (punches) | UFC 167 | November 16, 2013 | 1 | 4:38 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 17–7 | Robbie Lawler | TKO (punches) | UFC 157 | February 23, 2013 | 1 | 3:57 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Loss | 17–6 | Johny Hendricks | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller | May 5, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 17–5 | Mike Pierce | Decision (split) | UFC 143 | February 4, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–5 | Matt Hughes | KO (punches) | UFC 135 | September 24, 2011 | 1 | 4:59 | Denver, Colorado, United States | Knockout of the Night. |
| Loss | 15–5 | Georges St-Pierre | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 124 | December 11, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | Montreal,Quebec, Canada | For theUFC Welterweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 15–4 | Paul Daley | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 113 | May 8, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | UFC Welterweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 14–4 | Anthony Johnson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 106 | November 21, 2009 | 2 | 4:47 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Submission of the Night. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 13–4 | Frank Trigg | TKO (punches) | UFC 103 | September 19, 2009 | 1 | 1:25 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 12–4 | Paulo Thiago | TKO (punches) | UFC 95 | February 21, 2009 | 1 | 3:29 | London, England | |
| Win | 12–3 | Yoshiyuki Yoshida | KO (punch) | UFC: Fight for the Troops | December 10, 2008 | 1 | 2:15 | Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States | Knockout of the Night. |
| Loss | 11–3 | Thiago Alves | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 90 | October 25, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Rosemont, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 11–2 | Chris Lytle | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 86 | July 5, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–2 | Dustin Hazelett | TKO (head kick and punches) | UFC 82 | March 1, 2008 | 2 | 1:24 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 9–2 | Georges St-Pierre | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 74 | August 25, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Diego Sanchez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 69 | April 7, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Jeff Joslin | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Sanchez vs. Riggs | December 13, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Jonathan Goulet | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC Fight Night 6 | August 17, 2006 | 1 | 4:10 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Dave Menne | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 5 | June 28, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 5–1 | Ansar Chalangov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night 4 | April 6, 2006 | 1 | 3:29 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 4–1 | Drew Fickett | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Ultimate Fight Night 2 | October 3, 2005 | 3 | 4:28 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Pete Spratt | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Ultimate Fight Night | August 6, 2005 | 1 | 1:53 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Chris Sanford | KO (punch) | The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale | April 9, 2005 | 1 | 4:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Middleweight bout. |
| Win | 2–0 | Luke Cummo | Decision (unanimous) | Ring of Combat 6 | April 24, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Cruz Chacon | Submission (neck crank) | King of the Rockies | January 3, 2004 | 3 | 2:57 | Fort Collins, Colorado, United States |
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