Jun Yong Park

Overview

Jun Yong Park (박준용) was born on February 27, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea.

He competes in the UFC Middleweight division and represents Korean Top Team in Seoul. Standing 5’10” (178 cm) with a 73-inch (185 cm) reach, Jun Yong Park combines solid boxing fundamentals with effective wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to create one of the division’s most balanced skill sets.

Since making his UFC debut in 2019, Park has steadily climbed the middleweight ladder through disciplined performances and an ability to outwork experienced opponents. His nickname, “The Iron Turtle,” reflects both his durability and his relentless fighting style. According to Park, the nickname originated because people thought he resembled a Ninja Turtle, while “Iron” references Korea’s famous Turtle Ships and symbolizes toughness.

Outside the UFC, Park established himself on the Asian regional circuit before signing with the world’s premier MMA organization. His professional record of 19-7 includes victories by knockout, submission, and decision, highlighting his versatility as a complete mixed martial artist.

Early Life & Background

Growing up in Seoul, Jun Yong Park initially struggled during the early stages of his professional career. Rather than immediately finding success, he began with a modest 3-3 professional record, forcing him to rebuild his approach and continue developing as a fighter. Instead of becoming discouraged, Park used those setbacks as motivation to refine every aspect of his game.

Training at Korean Top Team, Jun Yong Park developed under one of South Korea’s premier MMA gyms alongside numerous elite Korean fighters. The environment emphasized complete mixed martial arts rather than specialization, helping Park become comfortable striking, wrestling, and grappling against high-level training partners.

His perseverance eventually transformed him from a regional prospect into a UFC athlete, making him one of Korea’s leading middleweight representatives on the international stage.

Fighting Style

Although officially listed with a boxing background, Jun Yong Park has evolved into one of the UFC’s most well-rounded middleweights.

His style revolves around:

• Constant forward pressure
• High-volume boxing combinations
• Strong clinch control
• Timely offensive wrestling
• Opportunistic submissions
• Excellent cardiovascular endurance

Statistically, Jun Yong Park has demonstrated finishing ability in multiple areas:

• 5 victories by KO/TKO
• 6 victories by submission
• 8 victories by decision

Many of his submission victories have come by rear naked choke, although he has also finished opponents with anaconda chokes and ground-and-pound. Unlike many pressure fighters, Park rarely sacrifices technique while advancing, making him difficult to counter over three rounds.

His durability is another defining characteristic. Jun Yong Park consistently maintains a high pace deep into fights while absorbing punishment well enough to continue implementing his game plan.

Professional Career

Jun Yong Park turned professional in 2013 and spent the early years of his career competing throughout Asia. Following his slow start, he dramatically improved his record by stringing together impressive victories that eventually earned him a UFC contract.

He made his UFC debut in August 2019, quickly establishing himself as a dependable middleweight capable of defeating experienced veterans. During his UFC tenure, Park has earned notable victories over:

• Marc-André Barriault
• John Phillips
• Tafon Nchukwi
• Eryk Anders
• Denis Tiuliulin
• Albert Duraev
• Brad Tavares
• Ismail Naurdiev

These wins showcased his ability to defeat a wide variety of opponents, from dangerous strikers to accomplished grapplers.

While Park has experienced setbacks against ranked-caliber competition, including André Muniz and Ikram Aliskerov, he has consistently rebounded with improved performances, keeping himself firmly in the UFC’s competitive middleweight landscape.

Career Highlights

• UFC Middleweight competitor since 2019.
• Professional record of 19-7.
• Represents Korean Top Team.
• Nicknamed “The Iron Turtle.”
• Wins by knockout, submission, and decision, demonstrating a complete MMA skill set.
• Earned victories over respected UFC veterans including Brad Tavares, Eryk Anders, Albert Duraev, Marc-André Barriault, and Ismail Naurdiev.
• Established himself as one of South Korea’s longest-tenured active UFC middleweights.

Summary & Trajectory

Jun Yong Park’s career is a testament to persistence and continual improvement. Rather than arriving in the UFC as a highly touted prospect, he earned his place through years of development and a willingness to address weaknesses after an uneven start to his professional career.

Today, “The Iron Turtle” stands as one of Korea’s most dependable UFC fighters. His combination of relentless pressure, technical versatility, and durability has allowed him to remain a fixture in one of the promotion’s deepest divisions. Although championship contention remains a difficult path in the talent-rich middleweight division, Park continues to prove that consistency, discipline, and a complete skill set can keep him among Korea’s elite representatives on the global MMA stage.