Park Si-won (23, DIA MMA), the youngest champion in Road FC light weight history, declared his move to welterweight.
Park Si-won appeared in the official Road FC interview Punchline ahead of his participation in the upcoming June 28 event at the Seoul Jangchung Gymnasium. In his first interview after recovering from an injury, Park Si-won officially declared his move up one weight class from light weight (-70kg) to welterweight (-77kg).
Park Si-won is an outstanding fighter, having achieved the title of youngest champion in light weight. With his tall stature and reach, combined with grappling skills, he is one of the fighters fans are most eagerly waiting to see compete.
On March 16, Park Si-won was supposed to compete at the Gubne ROAD FC 072 event, but he was forced to withdraw the day before the weigh-in due to a sudden back injury. Although he withdrew due to a back injury, fans suspected that Park Si-won missed the weight cut and used the injury as an excuse since he was approaching the weigh-in. Despite the release of Park Si-won's medical certificate indicating a two-week injury, many fans remained skeptical.
Due to the injury, Park Si-won could not show up at the event venue. He only rested and focused on recovery for 10 days. Consequently, fans criticized Park Si-won's professional spirit.
Park Si-won said, "I originally had back issues while preparing for the fight. I had a previous instance where I couldn't move my back after twisting it, and it happened again this time. After going to the hospital and receiving an injection and treatment, I monitored my condition and contacted them in the evening to say that I didn't think I could fight, which was announced the next day."
He added, "My weight was 77kg two days before the weigh-in this time. I had lost 1–2kg more than my usual weight. The weight cut was no problem at all. I have never failed to make weight, so I feel wronged when people say I was unable to lose weight."
Park Si-won has confirmed his participation in the Gubne ROAD FC 073 event scheduled for June 28 at the Seoul Jangchung Gymnasium. Initially accepting an offer for light weight, he declared his move to welterweight, and this fight will proceed in the welterweight division.
Park Si-won noted, "I can cut weight better than others. That's why I was able to continue competing in light weight and had never failed before, but discussing weight cut caused me stress. These days, considering the weight of the athletes and my muscle mass and body size, I think I'm big for the welterweight division. Even looking around the welterweight fighters, there are not many who are bigger than me. I will continue as an athlete for another 10 years, and I think it might be better to adapt to the welterweight division. While I can compete in light weight, I don't believe I can continue doing that. I think I will have to move up eventually. I can't compete often in light weight, so I decided I need to move up to welterweight."
After declaring his move to welterweight, Park Si-won was asked about opponents he would like to face. He mentioned, "I want to fight 'Maimi Kim'," referring to his former coach Kim Dong-hyun, who had competed in UFC welterweight.
As of now, Park Si-won's opponent has not been determined, and Road FC plans to announce the opponent once it is set.
Gubne ROAD FC 073 / June 28 at Seoul Jangchung Gymnasium
[Yoon Hyung-bin vs. Banz]
[Light weight tournament finals: Oka vs. Kamil Magomedov]
[Welterweight: Park Si-won vs. TBA]
[Bantamweight: Kim Hyun-woo vs. Uruzkeldi Duyseyev]
[-65.8kg contract weight: Park Hyung-geun vs. Haraguchi Shin]
[Flyweight: Byun Ye-jun vs. Jo Jun-geon]
[Light weight: Han Sang-gwon vs. Yeo Je-woo]
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