Nearly seven years have passed since Graham Park tasted defeat inside the Octagon, and the Canadian contender isn't planning on that number changing any time soon.
The Edmonton, Alberta fighter, Park (8-2), faces the biggest challenge of his career when he clashes with Mariusz Ksiazkiewicz (8-1) in pursuit of a second Unified MMA championship. The 195-pound crown sits between them as the headliner at Unified MMA 42, taking place Friday evening in Edmonton.
At 33 years old, Park has established himself as a devastating finisher—every single one of his eight victories has arrived in round one. While the durable Ksiazkiewicz might not go down that easily on Friday, Park remains convinced he holds advantages across every discipline.
"He's skilled, but wherever he thinks he has an advantage, I believe I'm superior," Park told MMA Empire during a recent interview.
"My striking is sharper, my wrestling is stronger, my jiu-jitsu and ground game are better, and my overall fight IQ surpasses his. I genuinely believe I'm the better fighter in every department, but I refuse to underestimate him—he'll force me to earn everything, and I welcome that challenge."
The reigning Unified MMA light heavyweight champion has an opportunity to capture a second division title on Friday night.
While adding another belt to his collection would certainly enhance his legacy, Park insists the quality of opposition matters far more than any shiny championship hardware.
"I was more focused on booking a top-tier opponent. You only get those matchups when you're fighting the champion," Park explained.
"My goal is always to face the best fighters I can. Mariusz chose not to step down to 205 pounds, so we compromised at 195, which seemed right. Being a two-division champ sounds impressive, but honestly, I'm just chasing another victory and a chance to demonstrate my genuine skill level."
Park's last outing saw him successfully defend his Unified MMA light heavyweight belt at Unified MMA 40, where he dispatched Neil Berry via ground and pound in the opening stanza.
Beyond the title retention, the first-round stoppage, and the five-fight win streak, Park emphasized a crucial breakthrough in his psychological approach.
"That previous bout marked a real turning point mentally—I felt noticeably more confident, composed, and in control," Park recalled.
"Mastering the mental side heading into that fight transformed everything. I'd never experienced that sense of freedom inside the cage before, and bringing that same mindset forward should completely change how I perform."
A successful performance on Friday—ideally accompanied by another highlight-reel finish—could trigger serious interest from major organizations.
Park, who recently inked a deal with EPOK Agency as his management, views this bout as the final hurdle before landing a call from the sport's premier promotions.
"The choice to appear on bigger cards isn't mine to make. If it were up to me, I'd be on those shows already," Park stated.
"They're clearly looking for a few more items to check off before making that move, and I believe beating Ksiazkiewicz covers every single one. Once I do that, they can take a shot on me—whether that's the UFC, ONE Championship, or Bellator. I feel prepared to compete at that level. It's the dream, and I genuinely think once this fight wraps up, they won't have much choice but to offer me that opportunity."
Park's Acknowledgments
"Above all, I owe gratitude to everyone at Shaved Bears, Jordan and Jesse at Flex Chiropractic, Mitch Clarke, and Frontline Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu." Stay connected with Park online: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
