“It bothers me,” Judo UFC fighter UPSET over UFC commentary messing up names of various Judo throws on broadcast

Karo Parisyan details his disappointment with MMA commentators not knowing the actual names of Judo throws.

“It bothers me,” Judo UFC fighter UPSET over UFC commentary messing up names of various Judo throws on broadcast

Karo Parisyan expresses his displeasure with MMA commentators who can't comprehend the names of Judo throws (via Shintaro Higashi/Imago)

Judo is an inseparable part of Mixed Martial Arts. Other martial arts include BJJ and Muay Thai. It has cemented its place in the training regimens of elite MMA fighters. One of the best to ever do it was former UFC fighter Karo Parisyan. He recently came out to express his frustration with commentators’ inability to identify judo throws correctly. 

Parisyan is a judoka renowned for bringing his grappling skills to the octagon. He revealed getting upset by the frequent mislabeling of throws. Parisyan blasted the inaccuracies made during broadcasts in a recent podcast interview with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. This is what he said:

Anybody that watches any kind of throw, anything they do, they [commentators] call it Uchi Mata. Some of the throws are Harai Goshi, Hane Goshi, O Goshi… And I’m like ‘O my god, bro, no’... Of course, it bothers me.
Karo Parisyan via the Jaxxon Podcast
YouTube video

Parisyan always took pride in his craft. He was one of the best practitioners who helped introduce judo to UFC audiences. However, he was dismayed when commentators butcher the names of throws. He felt that they should take the time to study the moves, allowing them to provide correct analysis.

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Parisyan voiced his exasperation with the common errors. Commentators’ mistakes stem from a general unfamiliarity with the specifics of judo. Parisyan hopes commentators would put in the effort to learn and recognize judo throws accurately. Recently, the UFC commentary team has received criticism for having biases. Hence, mislabeling Judo names remains falls under the criticism thrust upon the commentary team.

Karo Parisyan’s introduction of Judo to the MMA world

Karo Parisyan is an Armenian-born mixed martial artist. He pioneered the art of Judo in the UFC long before Ronda Rousey. Parisyan was trained by legendary coaches Gokor Chivichyan and “Judo” Gene LeBell. He became a 10-time junior national judo champion and four-time international champion. Parisyan was focusing on the 2004 Olympic judo trials when the UFC CEO Dana White called.

Karo Parisyan pioneered Judo in the UFC
Karo Parisyan pioneered Judo in the UFC (via MMA Mania)

Parisyan showcased an impressive array of judo techniques in his MMA career. He utilized throws like Ippon Seoi nage, Seoi Otoshi, Harai Goshi, Osoto Gari, and Uchi Mata. Parisyan also favored submission attacks like the Kimura grip and Ude garami. Parisyan excelled in organizations like WEC, where he won the welterweight title. He was also the UFC welterweight number one contender and a Bellator veteran. He fought the formidable Nick Diaz in the UFC.

His 2006 fight with Diego Sanchez earned “Fight of the Year” honors. Parisyan’s ability to literally throw opponents on their heads provided him stardom in the UFC. Parisyan adapted judo for the MMA ruleset and showcased its effectiveness. He paved the way for countless other judokas to gain respect in the UFC octagon.

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