Norman Parke

Norman Parke
Born 22 December 1986
Bushmills, Antrim, Northern Ireland
Other names Stormin'
Residence Bushmills, Antrim, Northern Ireland
Nationality Northern Irish
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Division Lightweight
Reach 72.0 in (183 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Bushmills, Antrim, Northern Ireland
Team Next Generation NI
Drysdale Jiu-Jitsu
Rank      Black belt in Judo[2]
Wrestling Irish national champion in Freestyle Wrestling[3]
Years active 2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 24
Wins 20
By knockout 4
By submission 12
By decision 4
Losses 3
By submission 2
By decision 1
Draws 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Norman Parke (born 22 December 1986) is a Northern Irish professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC's Lightweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2006, Parke has fought in various promotions across the United Kingdom and Ireland, and was also a competitor for Team UK on The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes in late 2012 and won the Lightweight Tournament.

Background

Born and raised in Bushmills in Northern Ireland, Parke began training in judo at the age of 16 and went on to be a National Champion in judo as well as freestyle wrestling in 2009-2010 and 2011-2012.[4][2][3] Later, after he also began training in boxing, Parke transitioned into mixed martial arts at the age of 20.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Before signing with the UFC, Parke compiled a record of 16-2, with 12 of his victories coming via submission. Parke's losses were against the veteran Greg Loughran and the then-undefeated Joseph Duffy.[6]

Parke was introduced to the masses and given his first televised fight by Cage Contender on 24 July 2010, going on to fight for the promotion more times than anywhere else. In his last fight under the Cage Contender banner Parke claimed the vacant Cage Contender Lightweight Championship.

After going 14-2, Parke signed to face Anton Kuivanen at Fight Festival 29, in what would have been his first fight outside of Ireland and the United Kingdom.[7] However, the fight did not materialise and Kuivanen fought another fighter on the card. After a further victory domestically, Parke signed with Cage Warriors to face Brad Wheeler in February 2012. However, Parke withdrew after a hand injury.[8] Parke returned in May 2012, where he defeated Stephen Coll via TKO, in what turned out to be his final appearance before joining The Ultimate Fighter.[6]

The Ultimate Fighter

In late 2012, Parke signed to be a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes - a regional version of the Ultimate Fighter series, which pitted Australian fighters against British fighters.[9] Parke competed in the lightweight division and his first opponent in the show was Richie Vaculik, who currently competes at flyweight.[10] Parke was able to hit Vaculik on the ground with elbows; one of which cut Vaculik on the top of his head. Parke was able to take Vaculik down again in the second round and controlled the fight from half-guard.[10] Parke defeated Vaculik via unanimous decision to move onto the semi-final round.[10]

In the semi-final round Parke was matched up against fellow Team UK fighter Brendan Loughnane. Parke won the fight via unanimous decision and moved onto the finals which took place live on UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Parke made his UFC debut on 15 December 2012 at UFC on FX 6 which was also known as "The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Finale". Parke would fight Colin Fletcher to determine the lightweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes. Parke controlled the entirety of the fight and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Parke was expected to face Jon Tuck on 20 April 2013 at UFC on Fox 7.[11] However, the bout was scrapped during the week leading up to the event as Tuck was forced out of the bout with an injury.[12]

Parke fought Kazuki Tokudome on 6 July 2013 at UFC 162.[13] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

A rescheduled bout with Jon Tuck eventually took place on 26 October 2013 at UFC Fight Night 30.[14] Parke won the fight via unanimous decision.

Parke faced TUF: Brazil 2 winner Leonardo Santos at UFC Fight Night 38.[15] Due to a point deduction for Parke grabbing Santos' shorts, the bout ended in a majority draw.

Parke faced returning veteran Naoyuki Kotani on 19 July 2014 at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin.[16] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Parke was expected to face Diego Sanchez on 15 November 2014 at UFC 180.[17] However, Parke pulled out of the bout in early October citing a knee injury and was replaced by Joe Lauzon.[18]

Parke was expected to face Jorge Masvidal on 18 January 2015 at UFC Fight Night 59.[19] However in early December, Masvidal pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Gleison Tibau.[20] Parke lost the fight via split decision.[21]

Parke was expected to face Gilbert Burns on 30 May 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67.[22] However, Burns pulled out of the fight in late April and was replaced by Francisco Trinaldo.[23]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 20–3–1 Gleison Tibau Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver 18 January 2015 3 5:00 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 20–2–1 Naoyuki Kotani TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao 19 July 2014 2 3:41 Dublin, Ireland
style="background:#c5d2ea; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-draw" |Draw 19–2–1 Leonardo Santos Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2 23 March 2014 3 5:00 Natal, Brazil Parke was docked one point for grabbing Santos' shorts.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19–2 Jon Tuck Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Munoz 26 October 2013 3 5:00 Manchester, England
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–2 Kazuki Tokudome Decision (unanimous) UFC 162 6 July 2013 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–2 Colin Fletcher Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson 15 December 2012 3 5:00 Gold Coast, Australia The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes Lightweight Final.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–2 Stephen Coll TKO (punches) Immortal Fight Championship 6 12 May 2012 3 2:24 Donegal, Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–2 Marcos Nardini Decision (unanimous) CC 11: Robinson vs. Wain 8 October 2011 3 5:00 Belfast, Northern Ireland Cage Contender Lightweight Champion.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–2 Dominic McConnell Submission (arm-triangle choke) Immortal Fighting Championship 3 11 September 2010 3 1:23 Tyrone, Northern Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–2 Stuart Davies TKO (punches) CC 6: Nelson vs. Mitchell 28 August 2010 2 2:34 Manchester, England
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–2 Tom Maguire Submission (guillotine choke) CC 5: McVeigh vs. Sitenkov 24 July 2010 2 0:42 Dublin, Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–2 Ian Jones Submission (guillotine choke) Fight-Stars 2 28 March 2010 1 4:18 Leeds, England
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 10–2 Joseph Duffy Submission (rear-naked choke) Spartan Fight Challenge 20 March 2010 1 3:06 Newport, Wales
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–1 Myles Price Submission (guillotine choke) CC 3: Featherweight Tournament 5 February 2010 1 3:27 Antrim, Northern Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–1 Ben Davis Submission (rear-naked choke) TW 5: Night of Champions 3 October 2009 1 3:10 Connacht, Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–1 Ali MacLean Submission (rear-naked choke) Immortal Fighting Championship 1 19 September 2009 2 4:05 Tyrone, Northern Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–1 Mick Bowman Submission (rear-naked choke) OMMAC 1: Assassins 8 August 2009 1 2:06 Liverpool, England
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–1 Mark Mills TKO (punches) Strike and Submit 11 5 July 2009 3 3:40 Gateshead, England
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–1 Paul Jenkins Submission (rear-naked choke) HOP 11: Taking Over 30 May 2009 1 2:41 Newport, Wales
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–1 Dominic McConnell Submission (armbar) Chaos FC 4 25 April 2009 1 1:10 Londonderry, Northern Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–1 Barry Oglesby Submission (leglock) TW 4: The Next Generation 28 March 2009 1 3:30 Connacht, Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–1 Ali McLean Submission (rear-naked choke) Ultimate Fighting Revolution 14 21 August 2008 2 4:50 Belfast, Northern Ireland
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–1 Brian Kerr Submission (armbar) Ultimate Fighting Revolution 13 18 May 2008 1 2:10 Belfast, Northern Ireland
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 0–1 Greg Loughran Submission (rear-naked choke) Ultimate Fighting Revolution 5 12 March 2006 1 1:43 Toomebridge, Northern Ireland

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night McGregor vs. Siver". UFC.com. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Norman Parke - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "'Stormin' Norman Parke". facebook.com. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "10 European Prospects worth watching". sherdog.com. 14 August 2011.
  5. ↑ http://www.joe.ie/sports/mma/mma-fighter-profile-northern-irelands-norman-park/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Norman Parke". sherdog.com. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  7. ↑ "Parke heads to Finland to take on Kuivanen". yourmma.tv. 5 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Injury forces Parke out". sherdog.com. 31 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "Cast of The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. UK to feature 8 lightweights, 8 welterweights". sherdog.com. 5 September 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Richie "Vas" Vaculik shows the meaning of TUF". heraldsun.com.au. 10 October 2012.
  11. ↑ http://www.yourmma.tv/news/details.asp/id/2603/norman-parke-vs-jon-tuck-ufc-on-fox-7.htm |title=The Smashes Winner Norman Parke Gets Jon Tuck In San Jose |publisher=YourMMA.tv |date= |accessdate=2013-01-07
  12. ↑ Staff (2013-04-14). "Jon Tuck vs. Norman Parke pulled from Saturday's UFC on FOX 7 lineup". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
  13. ↑ Staff (2013-04-24). "Norman Parke vs. Kazuki Tokudome added to UFC 162 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
  14. ↑ Staff (2013-09-02). "Norman Parke vs. Jon Tuck joins UFC Fight Night 30 lineup in Manchester". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  15. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2014-01-22). "Three fights added to UFC Fight Night card in Natal". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  16. ↑ B Wylie (2014-05-22). "Naoyuki Kotani returns, faces Norman Parke at UFC Fight Night 46 in Dublin". fightsportasia.com. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  17. ↑ Sean Sheehan (2014-08-26). "Norman Parke set to face Diego Sanchez at UFC 180". severemma.com. Retrieved 2014-08-26.
  18. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2014-10-03). "Joe Lauzon vs. Diego Sanchez set for UFC 180 in Mexico". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  19. ↑ Staff (2014-10-29). "Jorge Masvidal-Norman Parke added to UFC Fight Night 59". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  20. ↑ Staff (2014-12-04). "Jorge Masvidal out, Gleison Tibau meets Norman Parke at UFC Fight Night 59". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-04.
  21. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2015-01-18). "UFC Fight Night 59 results: Gleison Tibau outworks Norman Parke for split win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-18.
  22. ↑ Staff (2015-03-31). "Norman Parke says he's fighting Gilbert Burns at UFC Fight Night 67 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
  23. ↑ Lucas Rezende (2015-04-27). "Injury forces Gilbert Burns out of Norman Parke fight; Francisco Trinaldo steps up". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2015-04-27.

External links