UFC 123 Fight Bonuses + UFC Fires Karo Parisyan
– Despite losing his third straight fight last night, Tyson Griffin won't be out of a job. Dana White said last night that Griffin, who lost a split decision to Nick Lentz on the preliminary card of UFC 123, would not be cut. "Tyson Griffin got [expletive] big time tonight," White said. "You know how I feel. I like guys who come in and fight. I'd rather keep a guy who lost a dogfight than keep a guy who ran around in circles for three rounds and won."
– Karo Parisyan's return to the UFC has been cut short following his TKO loss to Dennis Hallman at UFC 123. Following the quick loss to Hallman, UFC President Dana White stated that the 28-year-old Parisyan would be cut by the UFC. "I'd never put a guy in harm's way," said White following the event. "I'd never put a guy in the UFC who I didn't think could compete at this level. Karo came in tonight and proved that he can't compete at this level anymore." For many years, Parisyan was considered one of the top welterweights in the promotion. After reeling off five straight wins against fighters such as Nick Diaz, Chris Lytle and Matt Serra, "The Heat" earned a shot at champion Matt Hughes at UFC 56. Unfortunately, the decorated judoka had to pull out of the fight due to injury and never regained his status as #1 contender. Parisyan, who was visibly not in the best of shape against Hallman, has posted an 0-2 record with 1 no contest in his past three UFC fights. This marks the second time in the past year that the UFC has let Parisyan go. The first time happened after Karo pulled out of his bout with Dustin Hazelett just two days prior to the fight. At the time, Dana stated that Parisyan would never be back in the UFC, but eventually he had a change of heart.
– It was announced at the post UFC 123 press conference that the following fighters took home $80,000 fight night bonuses from last night's UFC 123 event:
* KO OF THE NIGHT: BJ Penn
* SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT: Phil Davis
* FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Joe Lauzon vs. George Sotiropoulos