Mick Parkin remains undefeated after beating Łukasz Brzeski at UFC 304, but more importantly he finally scored his first UFC finish.
Following three decisions to start his octagon career, the British heavyweight delivered an emphatic knockout on Saturday after cracking Brzeski with a perfectly timed overhand right to counter a jab coming back at him. Brzeski was immediately wobbled by the punch and retreated across the cage.
Parkin followed him and unloaded a barrage of punches, with Brzeski eventually crashing to the canvas before eating a couple more shots. Referee Marc Goddard rushed in to stop the fight at 3:23 of the opening round.
“That was amazing,” Parkin said of his win. “I saw he was hurt with the big right hand. Obviously, I got the finish and that was amazing. Most of the time it’s going to be in America, but here in Manchester … it’s absolutely amazing.”
After dispatching his first three UFC opponents by unanimous decision, the 28-year-old Parkin didn’t want to earn a reputation as a fighter who could only win on the scorecards.
He looked sharp with his striking at UFC 304 and picked up on an early tendency from Brzeski whenever he would throw a big right hand, which was Brzeski’s best punch in the early going. Once Parkin took that weapon away, Brzeski turned to his jab, but that’s what ultimately led to his downfall.
The finishing sequence saw Parkin pop him with the overhand right and then just barrel forward with punches until he put Brzeski away.
Now 10-0 in his career and 4-0 in the UFC, Parkin becomes a prospect worth watching in the heavyweight division, especially if he can add even more finishes to his résumé.
