LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Jamie Mullarkey[/autotag] is hungry for a finish at UFC Fight Night 233.
Mullarkey (17-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) faces [autotag]Nasrat Haqparast[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) on Saturday’s main card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
Haqparast has just one knockout in the UFC but has outstruck numerous opponents. Mullarkey is aware of his skills but isn’t too threatened.
“He’s a solid, solid opponent,” Mullarkey told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “Fights with a high tempo, good skill. I don’t see as much of a danger factor with him, but everyone’s dangerous so, I got to be aware of that. But, very skillful fighter.”
After back-to-back knockouts over Khama Worthy and Devonte Smith, Mullarkey’s last three wins have come by decision. He hopes to break that streak by taking out Haqparast.
“I want to finish him,” Mullarkey said. “I want to get this done in one if possible.”
Haqparast said Mullarkey has been “gun shy” as of late, but the 29-year-old plans on ramping up the aggression in this fight.
“I think being aggressive is going to be the key here,” Mullarkey said. “Establishing the center of the cage and fighting my fight. I want a finish. I won’t be happy unless I get a finish this Saturday, so I see myself getting my hand raised, but it’s going to be a fun fight. I think it’s going to be a fan-friendly one.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 233.