UFC veteran Josh Koscheck denies he ever told company President Dana White that retirement was on his mind.

Koscheck (17-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC) said he still has the desire to compete and his 15-month layoff prior to his Saturday encounter with Jake Ellenberger (29-9 MMA, 8-5 UFC) at UFC 184 was the perfect amount of time to rediscover his passion.

“I never said the word, ‘retire,'” Koscheck told MMAjunkie. “That never came out of my mouth. What I did say was, ‘Hey, I need to consider what’s going on with my career right now.'”

Following his most recent octagon appearance, a first-round knockout loss to Tyron Woodley at UFC 167 in November 2013, White revealed to the media that Koscheck sent him a text message that “sounds like retirement.”

White rarely stands in the way of a fighter looking to hang up his gloves, but in this instance, his opinion was that “The Ultimate Fighter 1” cast member still has more to offer.

“Josh sent me a huge text (after the fight), and his text sounded a little bit like retirement,” White told reporters following UFC 167. “I don’t ever mess with guys when they talk about retirement, but it might be a little premature for Josh, too.”

Koscheck’s loss to Woodley marked a three-fight losing skid, with two straight by knockout. Although the defeats came to high-level competition in Woodley, Robbie Lawler and Johny Hendricks, the unfortunate stretch forced Koscheck to reevaluate his position in the sport.

“I think this time off was a great opportunity for me to improve in a lot of areas, especially becoming a more complete fighter,” Koscheck said. “The time off was well needed. I’ve had a long career with the UFC, and I think that this time off was important time, but also I improved in a lot of areas I needed to improve in.”

Koscheck’s pro debut was in January 2004. He went 2-0 before he joined the cast of “TUF 1,” and since then he’s made 23 appearances under the UFC banner. He’s among the longest tenured active members of the roster, but in more than 10 years as a fighter, Koscheck never had a break close to his current 469-day span between bouts.

“I’ve been around for a long time,” Koscheck said. “One year, I had like six or seven fights in a year span. I fought a lot when I was younger. As you get older, you’ve got to adjust things in your body to stay healthy and keep your mind fresh.

“I’ve fought a lot, I’ve never said no to fights and I’ve always stepped up when the UFC needed me. I’m willing to do the same now, so I think our sport needs to continue to be a good sport, clean sport, and have role models. I look forward to this fight.”

Koscheck said much of his layoff was spent enjoying the finer things in life. He still trained routinely before his camp for UFC 184 began, but also used the time off to travel, fish, hunt and fly planes.

Although he hasn’t earned a victory in more than three years, Koscheck is convinced he can get back on track against Ellenberger. The welterweight bout takes place on UFC 184’s pay-per-view main card following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Ellenberger also will enter the event on a three-fight losing skid and in a tough position in the crowded 170-pound division. “The Juggernaut” told MMAjunkie he believes Koscheck’s return to fighting is nothing more than a money-grab, but “Kos” insists that’s not the case.

“That’s his opinion, but I don’t need the UFC money to make it,” Koscheck said. “I have several businesses set up. What kind of opportunity is it to come back and get your face beat in just for a paycheck? That’s not me. He’ll find out come (Saturday) when we step in there to fight. He’s going to find out. I don’t need him to motivate me, that’s for sure.”

Koscheck said he wants to use UFC 184 as a platform to rediscover the form that led to a world championship fight against Georges St-Pierre in December 2010. With two bouts remaining on his current UFC contract, Koscheck doesn’t know what his longevity in the sport looks like.

As of now, though, the 37-year-old wants to honor his deal then reassess the situation from there.

“I started my career with the UFC and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to end my career with the UFC,” Koscheck said. “I’d like to have that opportunity to win two more fights and then see. I’ll talk to Dana and then see what the future holds for me and what direction it goes. For me, right now, I’m focused on this one day at a time until I get that opportunity.”

For more on UFC 184, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.