Jun Yong Park
South Korea
Survives foul for dominant win
Park defeated Ismail Naurdiev via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-25) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
ANALYSIS
Park's toughness is legendary, and it has never been on display more than it was this evening. After a very close Round 1, Park was destroyed by a illegal knee to the face by Naurdiev in Round 2. If he simply said he could not continue, he would have won via disqualification. But that's not the way "The Iron Turtle" operates. He somehow convinced the doctor he was good to go, Naudiev was docked two points for the foul, and Park went on to dominate the rest of the way despite having his eye ripped to pieces. He's typically fought lower-level competition, but the 34-year-old Park is quietly 6-1 in his past seven fights dating back to May 2022.
Park's toughness is legendary, and it has never been on display more than it was this evening. After a very close Round 1, Park was destroyed by a illegal knee to the face by Naurdiev in Round 2. If he simply said he could not continue, he would have won via disqualification. But that's not the way "The Iron Turtle" operates. He somehow convinced the doctor he was good to go, Naudiev was docked two points for the foul, and Park went on to dominate the rest of the way despite having his eye ripped to pieces. He's typically fought lower-level competition, but the 34-year-old Park is quietly 6-1 in his past seven fights dating back to May 2022.
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Fight rebooked
Park will face off against Ismail Naurdiev at a UFC event on June 21, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Park and Ismail Naurdiev have had their bout, originally scheduled for May 17, moved to June 21. The 34-year-old Korean fighter, who is coming off a win over Brad Tavares, will look to pick up another win over Naurdiev in June.
Park and Ismail Naurdiev have had their bout, originally scheduled for May 17, moved to June 21. The 34-year-old Korean fighter, who is coming off a win over Brad Tavares, will look to pick up another win over Naurdiev in June.
Taking on Naurdiev
Park will take on Ismail Naurdiev in a middleweight bout at UFC Qatar on May 17, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Park is coming off a bounce-back win over Brad Tavares back in October. He was riding a four-bout winning streak prior to the loss in his previous fight, but he got back in the win column to push his UFC record to an impressive 8-3. His opponent Naurdiev is also coming off a win, but he's less experienced in the promotion with a 3-2 record.
Park is coming off a bounce-back win over Brad Tavares back in October. He was riding a four-bout winning streak prior to the loss in his previous fight, but he got back in the win column to push his UFC record to an impressive 8-3. His opponent Naurdiev is also coming off a win, but he's less experienced in the promotion with a 3-2 record.
Overcomes slow start to win
Park defeated Brad Tavares via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
As is the case most every time Park steps into the Octagon, it was an ugly, grinding, physical affair. And as is the case more often than not, he emerged victorious. Park started slowly and found his range as the fight progressed. He really opened up on the feet in Round 2 before planting Tavares to the mat nearly the entirety of Round 3. Two judges -- correctly -- felt that was enough to give him the decision. Park lacks elite physical gifts, but he's tough as nails and has proven time and time again he can overcome difficult situations inside the Octagon. The 33-year-old is 5-1 in his past six bouts dating back to May 2022.
As is the case most every time Park steps into the Octagon, it was an ugly, grinding, physical affair. And as is the case more often than not, he emerged victorious. Park started slowly and found his range as the fight progressed. He really opened up on the feet in Round 2 before planting Tavares to the mat nearly the entirety of Round 3. Two judges -- correctly -- felt that was enough to give him the decision. Park lacks elite physical gifts, but he's tough as nails and has proven time and time again he can overcome difficult situations inside the Octagon. The 33-year-old is 5-1 in his past six bouts dating back to May 2022.
Previous fight re-scheduled
Park (undisclosed) is scheduled to compete against Brad Tavares in a middleweight fight at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Park and Tavares were expected to compete at UFC Vegas 94 on July 20 before the former withdrew. Fortunately for both parties, they were able to re-schedule their fight for a later date. Park ended his 2023 having snapped a four-game winning streak, and he will not look to continue his downswing in momentum for the remainder of 2024.
Park and Tavares were expected to compete at UFC Vegas 94 on July 20 before the former withdrew. Fortunately for both parties, they were able to re-schedule their fight for a later date. Park ended his 2023 having snapped a four-game winning streak, and he will not look to continue his downswing in momentum for the remainder of 2024.
Out for Saturday
Park is not fighting Brad Tavares at UFC Vegas 94 on Saturday, according to Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
Park is suffering from undisclosed medical issues just before the scheduled fight, meaning it had to be axed. At the moment, it is unclear what his injury and how long he must sit out.
Park is suffering from undisclosed medical issues just before the scheduled fight, meaning it had to be axed. At the moment, it is unclear what his injury and how long he must sit out.