Josh Koscheck Replaces Injured Diego Sanchez at UFC 90

Welterweight contender Diego Sanchez has been forced to withdraw from his UFC 90: Silva vs Cote bout against Thiago Alves due to torn rib cartilage, but the October 25th co-feature bout is not lost, as standout 170-pounder Josh Koscheck has stepped up to face Brazil’s “Pitbull” in an equally intriguing welterweight matchup.

“There is nothing worse than having a great fight and then having one of the fighters drop out at the last second,” said UFC President Dana White. “But the one thing the UFC has proven time and time again is our ability to replace fights with ones as good as or better than the original fight, and we’ve done it again with the highly-ranked Josh Koscheck stepping up to replace Diego Sanchez against welterweight wrecking machine Thiago Alves. Hats off to Josh and Thiago, as not many fighters would agree to a matchup this tough on such short notice.”

A native of Fortaleza, Brazil, who now makes his home in Coconut Creek, Florida, the 25-year old Alves is currently riding a six fight winning streak that includes knockout victories over Matt Hughes and Karo Parisyan. But he will be put to the test by Koscheck next week.

“Josh Koscheck is a great fighter and I think he’s an even better matchup for me,” said Alves. “I’m looking forward to fighting him, and I’m gonna knock him out.”

The Ultimate Fighter 1 standout Josh Koscheck has won seven of his last eight decisions, only tasting defeat at the hands of welterweight champ Georges St Pierre in a three-round decision last August at UFC 74: Respect. Koscheck, fighting out of Fresno, CA, is among the top contenders in the welterweight division and needs a win to continue his ascent for a potential rematch with Georges St Pierre.

The 2001 NCAA Division I wrestling champion, is on a bit of a winning streak himself, having stopped Dustin Hazelett and decisioned Chris Lytle already in 2008. A win over Alves will put the 30-year old even closer to a shot at the welterweight crown, but first things first, and his focus is squarely on his October 25th foe.

“I think he’s a tough opponent,” said Koscheck. “He’s on a tear right now in the UFC and for me to step up and fight him, I think it’s gonna be an exciting fight. I’ve been in training since Chris Lytle, I haven’t taken any time off, and he’s a tough guy, so I’ve got to come in and fight him at my ‘A’ game.”

Koscheck had been due to fight Yoshiyuki Yoshida in the main event of UFC: Ultimate Fight Night 16 - Fights for the Troops live from the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Wednesday, December 10th 2008. As yet - there is no word on the status of this fight.

The special live UFC fight card will raise funds to build a hospital for traumatic brain injuries for the brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces. Thousands of soldiers from nearby Fort Bragg, the proud home of the U.S. Airborne and Special Operations Forces, will be in attendance.