UFC Dublin: Reza Madadi vs. Norman Parke
Reza Madadi v Norman Parke
Thunderous boos for Mad. Maybe it’s because he’s fighting Parke. Maybe it’s because he’s a convicted armed robber or maybe it’s because his walk out song was terrible. Either way, he isn’t popular. Nice to see a good reaction for Parke!
Round 1 – both guys look intense, no surprise considering the weigh in scenes! Early shot from Mad is stuffed. Both guys swinging and missing and Parke had Mad pinned to the fence. Nice uppercut from Parke. Mad shoots. Parke eventually reverses Mad to the fence. They continue to jostle. Mad drops for a throw, gives up his back and they stand immediately. Two nice lefts for Parke who stuffs a shot from Mad. Parke lands a few nice straights. 10-9 Parke – Parke didn’t do much. Mad did less.
Round 2 – two sharp body kicks from Parke to open. An epic Mexican wave takes its time to start but once it does it’s great. Oh yeah, the fight. Mad lands a takedown but they’re up pretty quick. Parke has him pinned to cage. Mad reverses it. Parke reverses back. Nice flurry for Parke who has Mad pinned again. Nice leg kick for Parke. They start taunting each other. Good left from Mad. Parke pins Mad to the fence. 10-9 Mad – another poor round. Mad got a takedown and nothing else of relevance happened. All to play for
Round 3 – they clinch immediately. Nice flurry from Mad. Mad drives Parke to fence. They break. Both guys land straights. Big head kick for Parke. Nice right for Mad. Mad starting to control the octagon. Mad chasing his signature d’arce! Parke is out and has him pinned to the wall. They break. Good 3 punch combo for Mad who then shoots but winds up pinned to the fence. Parke lands a potentially vital takedown. Mad lets go of a guillotine attempt. Mad is up! Both guys exhausted after a grueling fight. Nothing in their strikes. Mad ducks a big left hook. The fight ends, fittingly, against the fence. 10-9 Parke – just a typical Parke fight. Good takedown defence, bad takedowns meaning the fight mostly happens on the fence.
I give Parke the edge 29-28 Norman Parke def Reza Madadi by unanimous decision (30-27×3)
