Middleweight fan favorite JunYong Park, nicknamed “The Iron Turtle,” will make his return to the Octagon at UFC Saudi Arabia. The event takes place on Saturday, December 5, at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and features a rumored five-round middleweight headliner between strikers Israel Adesanya and Shara Magomedov according to reports.
Matchup Confirmation and Fighter Backgrounds
As reported by AG Fight and confirmed by Heavy.com’s Marcel Dorff, Park will square off against Marco Tulio at the upcoming event. The 35-year-old Park entered the UFC in 2019 and has compiled a 9-4 record within the organization, securing notable victories against Ismail Naurdiev, Brad Tavares, and Marc-Andre Barriault. Park has not competed yet in 2026, with his most recent appearance being a unanimous decision loss to Ikram Aliskerov at UFC 321 in October 2025.
Despite that setback, Park remains a formidable competitor in the 185-pound division, recognized as a durable athlete equipped with a strong ground game and reliable striking. His opponent, Tulio, is a Brazilian knockout artist who holds a 2-2 record in the organization after earning his contract through two victories on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2025.
Styles Clash in Riyadh
Tulio began his promotional run with knockout wins over Ihor Potieria and Tresean Gore, though he enters this bout following consecutive losses to Christian Leroy Duncan and Roman Kopylov. Despite those recent defeats, Tulio remains a dangerous puncher capable of ending a fight instantly with a single decisive blow.
The pairing presents a distinct clash of fighting styles, as Park is expected to target grappling exchanges on the ground, while Tulio will aim to keep the contest standing. The victor will ultimately be determined by whichever athlete successfully dictates where the fight takes place.
