Josh Koscheck Explains His Reasons For Accepting Hughes Fight On Three Weeks Notice

With UFC welterweight Diego Sanchez out with a broken hand, former No. 1 contender Josh Koscheck (15-5) has stepped up to the plate to replace ‘The Dream’ on three weeks notice.
The only thing stopping this from becoming official, is that Sanchez’ opponent, UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes (45-8) has yet to accept the fight.
Speaking to USA Today’s Sergio Non, Koscheck explained his reasons for taking the fight on such short notice, how he might prepare with such little time, his thoughts on fighting Hughes, fighting at 185 lbs, and much more but you’ll have to hit the link to see the whole interview.

When did UFC contact you about replacing Diego?

Koscheck: They contacted me maybe about two hours ago. They obviously called my manager and my manager called me, and I said, “Yeah, let’s take it.”
It’s a fight that I’ve been wanting for a long time. Now we’ve just got to wait and see if Matt Hughes will accept the fight. So we’re waiting on him.
I told them that I’m game and I’m in shape. I’ve been training so I’m ready to fight.

Why take this fight on short notice?

I haven’t fought since last December. My job is to fight. It’s what I like to do. The only time I’m ever really happy is when I’m fighting and training. I love to get in there and compete.
Matt Hughes is a nine-time UFC welterweight champion or something like that. (Note: Hughes won UFC’s 170-pound title twice and defended it seven times in total) He’s a good, quality opponent. I’ve told the UFC that from here on out, I only want big names and big fights.

Given that you are taking this on short notice after being out for several months, how much of a no-lose situation is this for you?

Of course, I’ve got a lot to lose. I’ve got a fight to lose. I take that stuff serious.
I’m not going in this thing to just take a fight. I’m going in this to knock Matt Hughes out. If he takes the fight, I’m going in this to win the fight.
Fifteen minutes, you know? I’ve taken fights on short notice before and cardio was never a factor, so I don’t see it being a factor this time either.

Matt Hughes might be on the wrong side of 35, but he still has a lot of ability. How do you prepare a game plan for a guy like that in less than three weeks?

I just take it as any other fight. He’d be no different than training with my training partners in San Jose at AKA. He’s no different than going in there against Luke Rockhold, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick; all the guys I’ve got at my gym. I’ve fought wrestlers before and I do generally pretty well against wrestlers.
I’m just looking for this opportunity, and hopefully Matt Hughes will step up and take the fight for the fans and the UFC.