Josh Parisian has had a long, winding journey to the UFC, and one would be forgiven for thinking he is ecstatic.
Parisian (13-3) is on a six-fight winning streak dating to April 2019. It has been a complicated journey to the UFC and Parisian is just happy to be here. The heavyweight fighter won via spinning back fist on Dana White's Contender Series back in 2018; however, he was rewarded with a stint on The Ultimate Fighter instead of a UFC contract. He lost to Michel Batista on the program and failed to make an official UFC debut. He earned a second chance on Contender Series in August, beating Chad Johnson via first-round TKO, and will make his long-awaited UFC debut against Parker Porter at UFC Vegas 15.
"I think the best way to describe it is to say that it is a relief," Parisian told Fightful ahead of Saturday's card. "It's just like when I go into a fight. I'm not excited that I win, I'm relieved that it played out the way I wanted it to. I'm relieved that I'm in the UFC."
Parisian also reflected on his conversation with UFC President Dana White and the less-than-ideal circumstances of his stint on TUF.
"He actually took me into his office after that fight and he said it would be a better opportunity for me and for him. He said it'll get people to know me, I'll make more money, the UFC will make more money. It was just a money thing. It just didn't play out the way I intended. It was a very stressful situation. I didn't have my coaches, I was going against a Bronze medalist Olympic wrestler when wrestling was my weakness. A lot of bad things happened in a row," he continued. "I've always been a person who is recalibrating. Even when I succeed, what could I have done better? The extra time that I have had has definitely not hurt me. It's helped me."
UFC Vegas 15 takes place from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ESPN+ card is headlined by Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis. Keep up with Fightful for all your fight night coverage.
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, lists, news updates and predictions.
