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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Junyong Park still staying patient in UFC career after submission of Denis Tiuliulin

LAS VEGAS – Junyong Park beat Denis Tiuliulin with a first-round technical submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 218 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Park, who won for the third straight time and second straight time by rear-naked choke.

Junyong Park vs. Denis Tiuliulin

Result: Junyong Park def. Denis Tiuliulin technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:05
Updated records: Park (16-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Tiuliulin (11-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Key stat: Park outstruck Tiuliulin 38-8 on his way to the first-round submission.

Park on the fight's key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 04: (L-R) Junyong Park of South Korea punches Denis Tiuliulin of Russia in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“When I went for the clinch, I felt like he had a strong switch. When I took him to the ground, I could see my ground game and could see the finish.”

Park on knowing when to move to the canvas

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 04: (L-R) Denis Tiuliulin of Russia and Junyong Park of South Korea trade punches in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“After reviewing the videos of my opponent, my coach advised me to start with standup and striking, and from there, when it feels like it’s the right moment, take him to the ground. I didn’t feel like he was weak on the ground, but the coaches did say he was done overall.”

Park on what he wants next

“I still feel I haven’t even reached 10 fights in a UFC career – I’m still an amateur in this league. After (10 fights here), I might be able to tell you later on. (Michael Bisping) is my favorite fighter, and he’s also a legend. I feel like I should fight him some day.”

To hear more from Park, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 218.

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