Josh Koscheck wants you to know that he’s not old. It seems like an unnecessary statement, given that Koscheck is only 34. Nevertheless, he’s had to defend phrases thrown at him like “washed up” and “over the hill” in anticipation of his fight at UFC on Fox 3 this Saturday. He doesn’t like it.

Koscheck is, in fact, not old, especially when compared to MMA legends like Randy Couture or Dan Henderson. And he’s only lost once in his last six bouts, yet people are questioning his longevity. What's the deal?

Josh Koscheck doesn’t like answering questions about his age. Photo via MMAFighting.com

Koscheck has been in the UFC since 2005, and, before Saturday, he’ll have fought 20 times in the octagon. That’s only one appearance less than BJ Penn, three less than Chuck Liddell, and four less than Randy Couture. He’s clearly one of the most active fighters on the roster right now, and he may very well have more UFC fights at career’s end than anyone in the company's history.

To put it bluntly: it’s not the age; it’s the mileage.

That’s not to suggest that Koscheck is slowing down physically, because he isn’t. He possesses dangerous knockout power in his hands and wrestling skills that allowed him to stuff takedowns from Georges St. Pierre in their title fight at UFC 124. No, the reason people question Koscheck’s endurance in the UFC is because they are simply indifferent to him at this point. He always seems to make it to the top of the division, but when he gets there, he falls. He’s lost two number one contender’s bouts, to Georges St. Pierre and Thiago Alves, and he lost his title fight against St. Pierre at UFC 124 also. Are people clamoring for Koscheck vs. GSP III right now? Not so much.

The sentiment is backed up by the matchups. Koscheck’s opponent at UFC on Fox 3, Johny Hendricks, is all but guaranteed a title shot if he wins on Saturday, but Dana White did not grant “Kos” the same guarantee.

His success is his enemy in this case: he’s good enough to beat almost everyone in the division, but his lack of success against the champion deflates interest in him fighting for the belt, at least while GSP holds it.

His situation is very similar to Kenny Florian’s at lightweight: Florian lost both his title fights at 155lbs, and was defeated in his title eliminator with Gray Maynard as well. Florian moved weight divisions to re-energize his career, and while that may be a consideration for Koscheck, it probably isn’t the most viable. His most feasible option is the most obvious. Win. Keep winning until you can’t be denied.

Koscheck’s well-publicized split from the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, led him to a new training home in Fresno, Dethrone Base Camp. According to him, he feels much more at home there and has sharpened up his game’s weakest point: striking. If he shows drastic improvements on Saturday night, if he fights like a new Josh Koscheck, his performance may ignite fan enthusiasm to see him fight for a belt again after all.

The importance of his clash with Hendricks cannot be understated. With the division’s new blood like Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger closing in, the climb back up to the top of the division will be a long one if he loses on Saturday. Expect Koscheck to defy the critics make the best of his opportunity, because if there’s one thing Josh Koscheck loves to do, it’s proving people wrong.