White: I’m going to try to push Kos in the direction of retirement
Dana White: “I have a soft spot for the season one guys. Koscheck doesn’t want to retire. He wants to talk in a couple days. I’m gonna try to push him in that direction.”
The Ultimate Fighter 1 alum Josh Koscheck lost via guillotine in the first to Erick Silva at UFC Fight Night 62 on Saturday. It was his fifth loss in a row; he never lost more than one in a row before then. Kos has invested wisely, owns Dethrone Base Camp among other interests, and says he does not need to fight for the money. The fight Saturday was the last on his contract.
UFC president Dana White appeared on FOX Sports 1’s post-fight show and said he will try to get Koscheck to retire.
Kos, 37, who has fought for the UFC 24 times in his 10-year career with the company, joked that he would rather face fighters his own age.
“Maybe they can make a senior-citizen division in the UFC,” quipped, as transcribed by Marc Raimondi for MMAFighting.com.
White was unmoved.
“There aren’t many of those left,” said the boss.
“I have a soft spot for the season one guys,” said White. “Koscheck doesn’t want to retire. He wants to talk in a couple days. I’m gonna try to push him in that direction.”
The fighter did not commit one way or the other to fighting no more forever.
“I can’t make that decision right now,” said Koscheck. “I’ll go home and talk to the old lady and we’ll see what happens.
“I do have a lot of stuff going on outside the UFC. I’m pretty busy when it comes to other businesses and things, so I think I will take the right time and make the decision when it comes.”
“I’ve got a good long career since The Ultimate Fighter 1 and it’s been a fun ride. This sport is changing and these guys are getting better. These young guys are just getting tougher. I feel like my skills are there, I just need to put it together.”
Kos said he would fight next week if White asked him to. White won’t.
“Josh and I will talk in a couple days,” said White. “And we’ll go from there.”