Koscheck Embracing 'Bad Guy' Role for UFC 124

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Many words have been used to describe UFC welterweight contender Josh Koscheck's demeanor as a coach on season 12 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but “classy” likely isn't one of them.

On Saturday, the American Kickboxing Academy standout will try to back up his trash talk as he takes on opposing coach Georges St. Pierre for his welterweight title in the main event of UFC 124 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

“I think I have [gotten into St. Pierre's head]. Georges has lot of pressure in this fight. He's fighting in front of his home fans,” said Koscheck at Thursday's pre-fight press conference. “There is no pressure on me. I’m going to come out and have fun like always do, and I’m ready to fight for 25 minutes.”

This upcoming bout is a rematch of a 2007 scrap between the two in which “Rush” out-wrestled the four-time All-American en route to a unanimous decision victory.

“Georges won our fight fair and square. I have no excuses. He beat me. It's been three years, and I’m not same fighter I was in 2007. Every time I step into Octagon, I improve. I’m coming out to finish this fight. That's my plan. I think he really believes he's going to knock me out. I hope he tries that.”

Koscheck's bout with St. Pierre marks the American's second consecutive bout on French-Canadian soil. Following his victory over Paul Daley at UFC 113 in May, Koscheck openly taunted the hostile Montreal crowd. The NCAA champion continued to talk trash throughout his stint as coach on “TUF 12.” According to “Kos,” it's all a part of his job description.

“I'm a bad guy. What can I say? Apparently that's what everyone believes, so I might as well go with it,” he said. “I’m here to win fights and make money. This is a business, and I’m doing my job by hyping the fight.. If I’ve got to piss off 23,000 people, I’m going to do it. I enjoy what I do.”

As Koscheck was finishing his thought, UFC president Dana White interjected at Thursday's press conference, coming to Koscheck's aid with a candid though unorthodox defense.

“Look, there's a difference between somebody being an actual bad guy and somebody being a d--k,” said White. “Koscheck is just a d--k. He's a d--k. That's what he is.”

Amid chuckles from the media in attendance, Koscheck grabbed his mic to set the record straight.

“I'm a p---k, not a d--k, Dana.”