Parisyan Fails Drug Test

by Robert Sargent

Ten days after his atrocious performance against Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 94, Karo Parisyan has further damaged his failing career by testing positive for three banned painkillers after the fight. An official complaint has been filed with the NSAC.

A disciplinary hearing will follow, according to Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer, and Parisyan will likely face a suspension and fine.

Parisyan has a lengthy history of injuries and panic attacks, which have resulted in his withdrawal from two high-profile bouts - including a title fight - in the past. He has looked woefully slow and uninspired since losing to Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 6 in August of 2006. Parisyan is 4-1 since the loss to Sanchez, but has looked to be a shell of his former dominant self and was handed a gift by the judges at UFC 94.

Mental strength is often regarded as being just as important - if not more so - as physical strength in the world of mixed martial arts, and this is something which is sorely lacking in the life and career of Parisyan. He is arguably the weakest mental fighter in the UFC, and issues such as this, where an obvious drug test is failed, solidify that.

Regardless of the results of the hearing, Parisyan's future in the UFC - and maybe MMA, period - is in serious jeopardy and he has a lot of growing up to do if he is ever to return to his once-great status from years passed.