Most UFC fighters aspire to win a title, or at least break into the top 15 in their division. Jun Yong Park’s ambitions are a little more modest, he just wants to reach the milestone of ten fights inside the octagon.
The Korean middleweight is well on his way to achieving this target. He has fought nine times for the UFC and has won seven of those bouts.
A place in the top 15 at 185lbs surely beckons but Park is just aiming to get one more UFC fight in,
“I definitely have a goal in mind actually. I definitely feel that I should fight ten fights first. Then from there, when the UFC offers that ranking, I’ll take it, but I’ve got to reach that goal first to be able to show that I am definitely a worthy fighter.”
"It was definitely a test of my own toughness and my ability."
Junyong Park has a goal to make it to 10 UFC bouts before his first matchup with a ranked fighter, and he's one step closer following a win at #UFCVegas77 🔊🆙
All Fight Results ➡️: https://t.co/fn4PJMScwP
— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 16, 2023
Toughness and ability
He was speaking after his submission win over Albert Duraev at UFC Vegas 77. Park finished the Russian in the second round
“After getting this fight offer, it was definitely a test of my own toughness and my ability. After this win it gave me more, a stronger feeling of confidence and it was definitely another hurdle that I’ve (got) across.”
Park was defeated in his UFC debut. But he has seven wins in his last eight fights and has been on a run that compares favourably with just about any of the other contenders in the division.
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Change of lifestyle
He thinks that a change of lifestyle has been the secret behind his superb recent form,
“Definitely the only thing that’s been changed is my mind. My mindset is very strong. You know I changed my lifestyle. Wake-up on the morning and do a run. Go to the gym in the afternoon and train, and then in the evening go ahead and work on my techniques and my skills. So overall just lifestyle, and a change in mind.”
Park is hoping to get that tenth fight in before the end of the year. But he did not emerge from last weekend’s fight completely unscathed and will need to get an elbow injury checked out,
“It would be nice to fight this year to fulfil those ten fights, but if not, I’ve definitely got to go back home and check out my elbow just to make sure I’m good and in condition before I fight again.”
