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FIGHT ODDS

Sherdog’s Top 10: Memorable UFC Debuts

C.J. TuttleJun 18, 2014
Karo Parisyan brought the heat at UFC 44. | Photo: J. Sherwood/Sherdog.com


6. Karo Parisyan
UFC 44 “Undisputed”
Sept. 26, 2003 | Las Vegas


A “Judo” Gene LeBell and Gokor Chivichyan protégé, Parisyan first appeared in the UFC at age 21. He had 19 professional bouts under his belt and was matched with 34-year-old Dave Strasser. The hype surrounding Parisyan was real, and he did not disappoint after the cage door shut behind him.

After a crazy exchange opened the first frame, Parisyan turned to his judo and created problems Strasser could not solve. His throws were things of beauty, and after three successful takedowns, “The Heat” rolled into a kimura for the submission. The tapout came 3:52 into round one.

Strasser never fought for the UFC again, while Parisyan went on to compete against Georges St. Pierre, Chris Lytle, Nick Diaz, Matt Serra, Diego Sanchez and Josh Burkman, among others. Though recent history has not been kind to the now 31-year-old California-based Armenian, Parisyan has gone 1-1 since arriving in Bellator in 2013.

Number 5 » Royce Gracie