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Mick Parkin dug deep to stay unbeaten against Caio Machado at UFC Fight Night 232

LAS VEGAS – Mick Parkin beat Caio Machado with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 232 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Parkin, who got his second straight decision win, both in the UFC, after starting his career with six consecutive finishes.

Caio Machado vs. Mick Parkin

Result: Mick Parkin def. Caio Machado via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Updated records: Parkin (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Machado (8-2-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Machado won the striking battle and nearly doubled up on Parkin in significant strikes, but Parking had more than 6 minutes of control time.

Parkin on the fight's key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 18: (R-L) Mick Parkin of England punches Caio Machado of Brazil in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 18: (R-L) Mick Parkin of England punches Caio Machado of Brazil in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“I had a game plan. It was to clinch and slow him down. I think that worked. Maybe I could start just a little bit faster in the first round. I felt like I was just standing in front of him. I should have moved my feet a little bit more. With him being left handed, I never want to be dipping that way. I felt like I dipped that way quite a lot. It felt like I was getting hit with shots I shouldn’t get hit with. But I’ll have to watch it back.”

Parkin on the close fight

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 18: (R-L) Caio Machado of Brazil kicks Mick Parkin of England in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 18: (R-L) Caio Machado of Brazil kicks Mick Parkin of England in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“I think he won the first round. It was a bit of a blur. I thought I definitely won the second. And then I think the last two minutes, I pushed the pace hitting with some big shots. I think that’s what won it, maybe the last two minutes of the third round.”

Parkin on a tough test

Mick Parkin
Mick Parkin

“The last fight, I know in the decision that was a lot tougher, faster pace. (I have) just a few things to work on, but I haven’t watched it back yet, so I can’t really comment on it. I feel like it was a hard fight, and I feel like I definitely need them.”

To hear more from Parkin, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 232.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie