 Tiki Ghosn - Back in the Octagon - 2/19/2004
by Michael DiSanto
If you had to choose one word to describe Tiki Ghosn as a fighter, it would be exciting. He is an in your face fighter who prefers action-packed, high-paced slugfests over all other types of fights. That crowd pleasing style, as well as 2 straight victories, has landed Tiki back in the Octagon for another shot at tossing his name into the UFC welterweight mix.
On April 2, 2004, Ghosn will face a very tough Chris Lytle. He will be looking for his first UFC win to advance a career thats never tasted defeat away from the UFC cage. Suffice it to say, Tiki-Lytle has the potential to be a fast and furious fight. Of Tikis 10 professional fights, only 3 have gone to a judges decision. He is not afraid to risk it all to end a fight, which is what the fans love to see. So this bout has fight of the night potential written all over it.
We caught up with the brash, young UFC veteran last week at his gym in Hungtington Beach while friend and teammate Tito Ortiz worked out for his bout against Chuck Liddell. Tiki sounded focused and ready for his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
InsideFighting.com: Tiki, tell me how life has been since your last trip to the Octagon at UFC 40.
Tiki Ghosn: Its been good, man. Ive been all over. I was in Hawaii on September 20th to fight Ronald Jhun. It was a great fight, and I got a great win over him. I just recently fought at WEC: Cold Blooded. I got a good submission win over Nick Gilardi.
IF: Break down your fight with Chris Lytle for us.
Tiki: Just by watching him, I can tell that the fight is going to be really active. Its going to be a high paced fight. All I can say is stay tuned and watch it!
IF: Was it your goal to get back into the Octagon after UFC 40?
Tiki: Oh yeah! The Lawler fight was the best thing that happened to my career, actually. Getting a loss against him made me hungrier. I went into that fight knowing that one of us was going down, but I thought it would be him. I thought I had him, but shit happens. This is a tough sport. Sometimes you dont get the luck of the draw.
IF: If you stay in this game long enough, everyone gets losses. Its all about how you handle them. Talk to us for a minute about your training for Lytle.
Tiki: I train with Team Oyama, and I havent stopped training since my last fight. Thats something different. I used to just train for a fight. Usually, Id fight and then take 4-5 months off. You know, Id just train for a fight. Now, I train all the time. I just keep training all the way through. So thats something different.
IF: Matt Hughes ruled your division for a long time. He basically cleaned it out, so the public kind of lost interest in the 170 pound division. Do you think B.J. Penns victory over him revitalized interest in the division?
Tiki: Oh, of course! Hey, Matt Hughes is a good guy and a great fighter, but who in the hell wants to see people lay on each other. Nobody wants to see that. They want to see people fight. A lot of the public doesnt really understand grappling. Theyre like okay, theyre laying on each other and throwing some punches. People want to see lots of kicks and punches. They want to see people get knocked the fuck out. Thats what sells tickets. They dont want to see a fighter laying on someone or someone taking someone down. They want to see blood. They want to see action.
IF: Did Penns victory re-energize your interest in the division because theres drama back in the division and the public may be watching again?
Tiki: To tell you the truth, I could give a shit! All I want to do is fight. All I give a shit about is fighting. Put me in there and all I want to do is brawl. Dont put me in there with people who want to lay on me. Put me in there with people who want to fight me. Thats what the fans want to see.
IF: Chris Lytle will certainly give you that action, so it should be a great fight.
Tiki: You know, a lot of people didnt see the fight with Ronald Jhun. It wasnt really covered much. But it was a great fight. The UFC actually wanted that fight.
IF: Really?
Tiki: Yeah, thats what I heard. It was an awesome fight. Thats what people want to see. You know, guys punching each other and stuff. Grappling is cool, but who wants to see that stuff.
IF: Tito-Chuck. I know Titos your buddy, but break down their styles.
Tiki: Actually, theyre both my buddies. You know, when its all boiled down, a fight is a fight. Its too hard to predict fights. You can say oh, this guy is going to take him down or this guy is going to knock him out. It doesnt make sense to say whats going to happen. But you have to think that this fight is unlike any other fight. This is a grudge match. You have 2 guys who used to be friends, but the shit talking went a little too far. Now theyre both pissed. Well, I know Tito is pissed for sure.
IF: Back to your career. What are your goals for 2004? Its early in the year. You have a UFC fight coming up. What do you want to accomplish in the next 12 months?
Tiki: I just want to stomp on everybody. I will take whatever fights I can get, and I just want to smash people.
IF: Do you have anything lined up after UFC 47?
Tiki: No, thats it. I like to take it one fight at a time. I dont like to overlook any opponent. Ive done that before, and it didnt turn out too well. Im training with Team Oyama. Thats the best thing for me. I have a lot of good guys around me, so Im really focused.
IF: Its been awhile since anybodys heard from you. Is there anything else that you want to say to the fans?
Tiki: Just keep your eyes open. Watch for me! Team Oyama - weve got something for your mama! [we both laugh]
IF: Nice. Okay, Tiki. Take care, stay healthy and well catch-up with you at UFC 47.
Tiki: Cool. Thank you.
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