UFC’s HyunSung Park, now 10-0, seeking step up in competition
UFC Fight Night 256 winner HyunSung Park talks to MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight after his first-round submission of Carlos Hernandez.
LAS VEGAS – HyunSung Park says his post-fight callout of Matt Schnell at UFC Fight Night 256 was nothing personal.
Park (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) kept his undefeated record intact Saturday when he scored a first-round submission of Carlos Hernandez (10-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) in their flyweight bout at the UFC Apex. Afterward, he used his in-cage microphone time to request a matchup with Schnell (17-9 MMA, 7-7 UFC), who is coming off a unanimous decision win over Jimmy Flick at UFC on ESPN 66 in April.
According to Park, there was no malice behind him naming Schnell. If anything, it was a product of admiration.
“Matt Schnell was just a random name that came up to me,” Park told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter backstage at UFC Fight Night 256. “Nothing against him. He’s half-Korean, so I’ve been looking to him. He’s a great fighter. Whoever it is, I want to fight.”
As for the performance against Hernandez, it was a good moment for Park. He has finished all three of his opponents inside the octagon, but this was his quickest to date and another sign of growth for the 29-year-old.
“Game plan was striking, but I saw an opportunity on the ground and I was able to choke him out,” Park said. “Eventually, I think in striking I’m one of the best, I’m very talented, but at wrestling, grappling, I’m above the average. I’m still out to learn, and I want to get better.”
