Picking up his first UFC win in front of a packed house in his native South Korea, UFC Busan’s Jun Yong Park went the distance with Marc-Andre Barriault.
Canada’s Marc-André Barriault had likely one last opportunity to earn a win and show he belonged in the UFC in South Korea on Saturday. The former TKO champion had lost his first two UFC bouts, and was facing local favorite Jun Yong Park at UFC Busan.
Park was able to get his hands going early at the Fight Night event. Firing combos and winning in the boxing department. The ‘Power Bar’ was looking for a counter, which at least for the moment simply wasn’t there. An eye poke on Park then led to a pause in the action.
Back underway, the South Korean attacked with a left hook. A moment later he forced the Canadian back to a flurry, then changed levels and completed a double-leg takedown. Barriault scrambled to his knees, but had to be careful not to give up his neck or back. Park was easily winning the round, firing more, landing more, and connecting with more significant strikes. Barriault would turn things up a little late, but Park answered in kind.
Round two had Barriault pressing forward, landing a leg kick and spinning back fist (which may have been more of an elbow). That, however, opened Barriault up the a count-attack and he was soon under fire, then taken down. Barriault made it back to a knee and regained his footing, only to be dragged down again. At the midway point of the fight it was clear that something needed to change for Barriault. More than likely a finish. He fired a couple of low kicks, but curiously followed one up with another spinning back fist attempt, which had already landed him in trouble earlier. Still, he was pressuring and finding the most success he’d had in the fight to that point. Good head movement and stance switches allowed Barriault to sustain his attack, although the damage that actually resulted was minimal.
The third round saw Barriault go on the attack immediately. But it was Park landing an early takedown. His opponent was back up almost immediately, but the round could be crucial depending on how judges scored the second frame. The pair would engage in a clinch with both men landing, but that would seem to favor Park more. As the round wore on things became more urgent for Barriault. He cut off the cage, and changed levels for a takedown. Instead of landing it, he found his neck latched on to by Park, who was able to reverse then break free, moving back to center. They’d end up going the distance, with ‘The Iron Turtle’ Jun Yong Park handing Barriault his third defeat in the octagon.
Official Result: Jun Yong Park def. Marc-Andre Barraiult by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
