NORMAN PARKE DOMINATED Reza Madadi to emerge victorious from the co-main event at UFC Fight Night 76.
Parke won all three rounds against the Swedish wrestler to take the win on scores of 30-27 across the board, securing the bragging rights after a war of words between the pair sparked some tension at yesterday’s weigh-ins.
It was another win for the Irish contingent on the night, following earlier triumphs for Aisling Daly and Neil Seery.
The victory was also Parke’s first since the UFC’s visit to Dublin last year as the man from Antrim ended a two-fight losing streak to bring his record in the octagon to 5-1-2.
In the first round, Parke successfully defended several takedown attempts from Madadi — who displayed obvious signs of ring rust having not fought in two-and-a-half years — and the Bushmills native used his superior striking to edge ahead.
The second round played out in a similar manner. Madadi gestured to suggest that Parke’s strikes weren’t causing him any damage, but they were accumulating points on the judges’ scorecards nevertheless.
Parke’s conditioning came to the fore in the third and final round as Madadi looked exhausted. The former Ultimate Fighter winner capped off his dominance with a takedown late on to leave no doubt in the minds of the judges.
Good man Norman, needed that 1
While sitting in the crowd and people sang stand up for the boys in green I stayed seated and laughed because parke was a British man in the ultamite fighter he’s as Irish as my French poodle , terrible fighter I was half asleep in the arena for this fight .
Think your mistaken, we were singing stand up for the Ulstermen
Well I didtn stand up I was fast asleep .my granny is more exciting playin bingo
Is your poodle from Ireland? He’s as Irish as our former President Mary McAleese, Gerry Adams, Mickey Harte, Rory Best….
He’s terrible anyways only there to make up the numbers