In a sport where athletes are searching for every edge they can find, a narrower window between weighing in and stepping into the Octagon is one that is wholly out of the control of the competitors, but it also hasn’t really impacted Park much lately.
He’s been in “fine fettle,” as UFC broadcaster John Gooden would say, and aims to maintain that form through Saturday’s matchup with Duraev.
A member of the Dana White’s Contender Series Class of 2020, the 34-year-old Russian has struggled to find consistency in the UFC cage thus far, alternating results through his first three fights, with each of his victories coming in closely contested battles that went the distance.
“I feel like Duraev is a well-rounded UFC fighter,” began Park, offering his assessment on the man he meets this weekend. “His striking, his ground, his wrestling — I have to watch out for all of it. What do you think about Albert Duraev?”
The grin on his face after turning the question around made it clear why the man nicknamed “The Iron Turtle” identified the carefree, nunchuck-wielding Michelangelo as his favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Despite the language barrier, it was abundantly clear that Park, like Mikey, has a playful, joking side, and after hearing me politely compliment his opponent’s skills and suggest it seems like a favorable matchup for him, it shone through again.
“You’re just saying good things about me now;” he said with a cackle. “When you talk to Duraev you will say the same things about him.”
Everyone laughed, and when I told him that I didn’t have to interview Duraev, but meant every word I said, the humble joker wrapped things up perfectly.
“I don’t even believe myself,” he said, offering a self-deprecating close to what is usually a moment where competitors sing their own praises and forecast doom for their opponents.
Underneath the playfulness and humility rests an improving fighter, one whose confidence grows with each victory, even if he is reticent to admit it.
