“I feel amazing” – Michael Parkin speaks ahead of UFC bout

Michael ‘Mick’ Parkin has expressed his excitement and readiness in preparation of his bout versus Caio Machado at UFC Fight Night 232

The 28-year-old Sunderland-born and bred heavyweight was signed to the UFC following a submission win against Eduardo Neves in the contender series, and since has been unbeaten following his debut win against Jamal Pogues in UFC Fight Night Aspinall vs Tybura.

The heavyweight would be in good company going into the fight, being a frequent spar partner of UFC top 15 ranked heavyweight Tom Aspinall, as well as with being friends and training partner to Scottish UFC fighter Paul Craig.

Mick will be facing UFC Newboy Caio ‘Bigfoot’ Machado who will be entering the octagon for the very first time only signing this year, following an impressive fight in the Contender Series. In response to whether or not his experience with having one bout in the octagon already would give him an advantage, Parkin fairly stated: “I don’t think it really matters, maybe (if it was in an arena) the big crowd could get to him but it’s not going to have a big crowd so it’s fair, it depends how he (Machado) is”

In response to how he was feeling going into the fight, Parkin said: “I feel amazing, I feel like I literally couldn’t have done more from the training to the sparing partners”, also going on to say “I’m really prepared, I think it’s a really great matchup for my style”

‘Mick’ recognised he would have the support of the North East behind him, however it wasn’t until he arrived at the contender series he truly grasped the support behind him. “I didn’t really know how big it was until I got to the contender series. I had loads of messages of support from Sunderland, I think a few pubs even put my fight on. They were really advertising it”

The bout will be in the prelim rounds of UFC Fight night 232, for anyone wanting to cheer the 28-year-old on, he is expected to make his ring walk at 9pm.

Parkin’s fight will be available to watch via TNT Sports on Discovery Plus, or via the UFC Fight pass.

To listen to the full interview, tune into Spark Radio Sunderland’s Saturday Sport show at 5pm on Saturday, November 18.