July 23, 2023 10:30 am ET
LONDON – Mick Parkin beat Jamal Pogues with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 224 at The O2 in London.
Take a look inside the fight with Parkin, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum from England who won his highly anticipated official UFC debut.
Parkin on the fight’s key moment
Jul 22, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Mick Parkin (red gloves) fights Jamal Pogues (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
“I definitely think there might have been a finish there. I hit him with a big shot, then I would look for the second shot and he would counter. When I countered, I felt like I could have finished him, but then he stopped leading. I just need to work on a few things when they do cover up because I’m beating them striking. They’re going to probably look at the wrestlers, and I need to draw out their counters. So there’s a few things to work on, but I’ll watch it back.
“But I’m actually happy to do three rounds, as well, because I’m always in my head, people are thinking, like, oh, what happens if I’m knackered in the third round? What happens if I’m so tired? But I felt good in that I definitely could have pushed it a little harder to get the three rounds out. I feel like I am fitter than most heavyweights. I just need to remember that.”
Parkin on his UFC debut
Jul 22, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Mick Parkin (red gloves) fights Jamal Pogues (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
“It was amazing. I didn’t feel overwhelmed. It felt like I belonged there, if that makes sense. Walking out was amazing – everybody cheering for us. It’s lovely. I took it all in. Everybody this week’s told us, ‘Take it in and enjoy it.’ It’s easy to let it pass you by, and it just becomes a memory. But I felt like I took it in. I enjoyed it. It felt good. Bruce Buffer calling me in – I just enjoyed every moment.”
Parkin on what he wants next
Jul 22, 2023; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Mick Parkin (red gloves) fights Jamal Pogues (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
“Just let the UFC match us. I feel calling people out this early is just not right. I think top 15, that’s when you start calling guys out now. I’m here just to fight anybody – UFC, (Dana White’s) Contender Series. There will be fair matchups. I think I’m ready for anybody.”
To hear more from Parkin, 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 224.
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