ONE ON ONE FT. JORDAN PARKER
[The camera fades in on the interior of Madison Square Garden, the familiar hum of activity throughout the arena barely audible through the walls. UGP 77 is only days away, and the building already carries the atmosphere of a major fight night. Staff members move through the corridors outside, occasionally passing the open doorway with equipment or production materials in their hands, but inside the dressing room, everything is considerably quieter.
A large UGP promotional banner hangs against one wall, featuring the UGP 77 logo alongside images of Marissa Kane, CC Flynn, Marcela Vargas, Aliyah Marshall, Byron McCall, and Jordan Parker. Another poster has been positioned behind the two chairs being used for the interview. It celebrates the Knicks’ recent NBA championship, with photographs from their championship run filling the frame.
Two chairs sit several feet apart in the center of the room, angled slightly toward one another. Isaac Cohen sits in one of them, looking every bit the professional interviewer. He wears a sharply tailored dark suit with a crisp white shirt and a neatly arranged tie. His posture is relaxed but deliberate, one ankle resting over the opposite knee as he looks toward the camera. A small UGP microphone sits within reach, positioned on a nearby table alongside a bottle of water and a few sheets of notes.
Across from him sits Jordan Parker.
Jordan’s appearance is noticeably less formal. He wears a clean black button down shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms and dark pants, giving him a polished appearance without looking like he dressed specifically for a corporate interview. His hands rest loosely together as he sits back in his chair. There is an ease to his posture, but his eyes occasionally drift toward the UGP 77 promotional material across the room.
For a moment, neither man says anything.
Isaac glances down at his notes, briefly reviewing the questions he has prepared. His thumb moves along the edge of the papers before he places them on his lap. He looks toward Jordan, studying him for a moment before turning his attention back toward the camera. Jordan shifts slightly in his seat and looks around the room. His eyes settle on the championship poster behind Isaac.
The Knicks celebration is impossible to miss, the players captured with the trophy raised above their heads, Madison Square Garden packed behind them. Jordan gives the poster a brief look before his attention returns to Isaac. He straightens his jacket and adjusts the cuff of his sleeve. A production assistant standing just outside the camera’s view gives a subtle signal.
The camera moves slightly closer. Isaac and Jordan are now framed together, with the Knicks championship celebration behind them and the UGP 77 branding filling the remaining space. Isaac looks directly toward Jordan. The professional demeanor he has carried throughout his career settles naturally into place. ]
Isaac Cohen: “Welcome to Madison Square Garden, where UGP 77 is just days away, and what better place to begin our look at one of the biggest fights on this card than right here inside the world’s most famous arena. I’m Isaac Cohen, and this is One on One.”
[Isaac turns his attention toward the man seated across from him. ]
Isaac Cohen: “My guest today is a three time Union GP Lightweight Champion, a two time Submission of the Year winner, and one of the most experienced and decorated fighters to ever step inside a Union GP cage. At twenty seven years old, he has already fought some of the very best this sport has to offer, and now he has another opportunity to add another championship to an already remarkable career.”
[Isaac gives Jordan a small nod. Jordan returns Isaac’s nod with one of his own courteous nod before settling back into the chair. His expression is calm, with a faint smile as he briefly glances toward the camera before looking back at Isaac. He adjusts the cuff of his sleeve and rests his hands loosely together in his lap. ]
Jordan Parker: “Good Morning. Thank you for having me.”
[Jordan’s smile lingers for a moment as he settles comfortably into the interview. Isaac listens for a moment, maintaining eye contact with Jordan before reaching down and picking up the notes resting on his lap. He glances over them briefly, although the question clearly needs little preparation. He folds the papers together and sets them back down, leaning forward slightly as he begins. ]
Isaac Cohen: “Before we even get to your fight, Jordan, this is being billed as one of the most historic cards in UGP history. In the city that never sleeps, at the world’s most famous arena, we have three championship fights. At the top of the card, two current Hall of Famers are defending their respective titles against two fighters many people believe are future Hall of Famers themselves. As a fighter competing on a card of this magnitude, what does it mean to be part of this historical night?”
[Jordan takes a moment to consider the question, his eyes drifting briefly toward the UGP 77 promotional banner before returning to Isaac. He leans forward slightly, resting his forearms against his thighs. There is a thoughtful quality to his expression now, the significance of the card clearly not lost on him.]
Jordan Parker: “Well… history is kinda what we do isn’t? We’ve all been in main event fights. Headlined the big arenas, and most importantly we’ve delivered when called upon. Marrissa, Supa, Byron, and myself we are all very different. We’ve all had our own battles and winding roads to build our legacies. While I can speak for them, I can say that regardless of how I might feel about them on a personal level, I have great respect for them on a professional level.”
[Isaac perks his head up almost immediately, catching the opening in Jordan’s answer. His eyebrows lift slightly and his posture shifts forward, clearly ready to follow that particular thread wherever it might lead. Jordan notices the change before Isaac can get a word out.
Jordan raises one hand, cutting him off with a knowing grin. ]
Jordan Parker: “No no, we’re not going there.”
[Jordan settles back into his chair, the grin remaining for another second before his expression becomes more reflective. He glances around the dressing room, taking in the UGP branding and the championship imagery before looking back across at Isaac.]
Jordan Parker: “This is my first time in MSG. In MMA or wrestling. So it’s definitely a big moment for me.”
[Isaac gives a brief laugh, shaking his head slightly as Jordan mentions that this is his first time inside Madison Square Garden. He glances around the room then back to Jordan, almost as though he is double checking that he heard him correctly.]
Isaac Cohen: “I’ve got to be honest, Jordan, that actually surprises me. With everything you’ve accomplished, all the arenas you’ve fought in and all the big moments you’ve been a part of, in and out of UGP, I would have assumed Madison Square Garden would have been checked off the list a long time ago. Did you ever expect that your first time here would come with a championship fight?”
[Jordan smiles at the question, though his expression quickly turns more reflective. He shifts in his chair. ]
Jordan Parker: “When we’re younger we always dream of the big moments. Hitting her the game winning shot in the biggest game in the biggest arena. Get a little older and it becomes big title fights in the big arenas. Now at 27, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. This date was certainly circled on the calendar and there was hope it would be a title fight of some sort.”
[Isaac watches him for a second before nodding. He picks up his notes, though he barely looks down at them before setting them back on his lap.]
Isaac Cohen: “And now that you’re actually sitting here, in this building, with a championship fight waiting for you, does the significance of the moment hit you differently than it did when you were just imagining it?”
[Jordan leans back slightly, thinking about the question. ]
Jordan Parker: “Yeah, absolutely. You can dream about this stuff all you want, but there’s a big difference between imagining yourself here and actually sitting here. At 17… 18 years old when I was first getting opportunities in CGFC I couldn’t fathom the success I would have just a year later. I certainly couldn’t imagine that I’d be here thinking about my legacy and how much winning tomorrow would secure it.”
[Jordan settles back into the chair. Isaac listens without interrupting, giving Jordan a small nod.]
Isaac Cohen: “Let’s talk about that legacy, then. You’ve already won three UGP Lightweight Championships, you’ve had some incredible submissions, and you’ve shared the cage with some of the best fighters in this company. But this is a different challenge. You’re moving up against a Hall of Famer who has thirty professional wins and has already held this championship. What does beating Byron McCall do for the way you view your own career?”
[Jordan listens to the question without immediately answering. His eyes drop toward the floor, and for the first time during the interview, the easy confidence in his expression gives way to something more introspective. He shifts forward in his chair, clasping his hands together as he considers the question. ]
Jordan Parker: “We are our own worst critics. I look at my record… I just just see the 10 times I didn’t win, not the 19 times I did. Winning a 4th title. In a new weight class yeah, that would be huge. That would cement my legacy. Though it’s weird to talk about legacy.”
[He gives a quiet chuckle and shakes his head, almost uncomfortable with the word itself.]
Jordan Parker: “I used to not really think about it. I just wanted to go out and fight and do my best… Now, as cliche as it sounds I’m a father and my kids are getting old enough to really understand what it is I do. Especially my son, Ezra…”
[Jordan pauses to collect his thoughts, his expression softening when he mentions his son. He looks down for a moment before raising his eyes again. There is a little more weight behind his voice now, the answer becoming less about championships and records and more about the people who will remember what he accomplished.]
Jordan Parker: “So yeah, I want to make sure there’s a legacy for him.. for Izzy. For the kids who didn’t have the traditional upbringing. For the kids who might not be looked at as the one who’s going to be a fighter… There is a path for them and they can be whatever they want.”
[Isaac lets Jordan’s answer sit for a moment. He eventually reaches for the microphone, adjusting it slightly before leaning back in his chair.]
Isaac Cohen: “You mentioned your son, Ezra, and the idea of showing kids that there is a path for them. You’ve spent a huge part of your life fighting, but you’ve also spent years dealing with injuries, personal setbacks, losses, and everything that comes with this sport and just life itself. When Ezra looks at you now, what do you hope he sees? Not just the champion or the fighter, but his dad?”
[Jordan’s expression changes almost immediately. The competitive edge that had been present throughout the interview softens, and he looks down toward his hands with a small smile. He takes a breath before looking back at Isaac, clearly taking a little more time with this answer.]
Jordan Parker: “I hope he sees somebody who never quit. That’s probably the biggest thing. He’s going to see the wins, the belts, the money, the highlights, all that stuff. But I hope when he looks at me, he understands that none of that came easy.”
[Jordan shifts in his chair, his shoulders relaxing as he speaks. His eyes briefly move toward the floor before returning to Isaac.]
Jordan Parker: “I’ve lost. I’ve gotten hurt. I’ve had moments where I probably should’ve walked away. There were times when I didn’t know if I was going to get another opportunity, but I kept going. I kept showing up. I kept finding a reason to get better.”
[A faint smile returns to Jordan’s face.]
Jordan Parker: “So if Ezra takes anything from me, I hope it’s that. Not that he has to be a fighter. Not that he has to win championships. Just that when life knocks him down, he gets back up. Whatever he decides he wants to do, I want him to know he can work for it and make it happen.”
[Isaac gives Jordan a nod, allowing the more personal moment to settle before shifting the tone of the interview back toward the fight.]
Isaac Cohen: “Lets bring this back around to the fight tomorrow. You’re facing Byron McCall for the UGP Welterweight Championship. What do you see when you look across the cage at McCall?”
[The warmth from the previous question fades into the familiar focus of a fighter breaking down an opponent.]
Jordan Parker: “I see a Hall of Famer. I see a guy who has been doing this for a long time and has earned everything he’s got. Thirty wins isn’t an accident. Two different weight classes, two championships, all those performances and big fights… you don’t get there by being lucky.”
[Jordan briefly glances toward the UGP 77 poster on the wall before looking back at Isaac.]
Jordan Parker: “But I also see a guy who’s very methodical. Byron doesn’t just walk into a fight and start throwing everything he has at you. He’s going to have a plan. He’s going to have studied me, he’s going to know what he wants to take away, and if something is working, he’s going to keep coming back to it until I prove I can stop it.”
[Jordan leans back slightly, rubbing his hands together as he continues.]
Jordan Parker: “His kickboxing is really good. That counter left is probably the biggest thing I have to respect. He’s not necessarily the guy who’s going to knock you out with one massive punch out of nowhere. He puts himself in the right position, waits for you to make the mistake and makes you pay for it.”
[A slight grin appears on Jordan’s face.]
Jordan Parker: “And he’s tough. That’s the other thing. You don’t have thirty wins and a Hall of Fame career without being tough. He’s been through wars. He’s taken damage and kept fighting. So I don’t expect him to break because I have a good round or because I land something clean.”
[Jordan’s expression settles back into complete focus.]
Jordan Parker: “But I’m not fighting his career. I’m fighting Byron McCall. And I know what I bring into that cage too. I’m younger, I’m faster, I have a completely different style than the guys he’s used to fighting, and I’m going to make him work for every second.”
]Isaac nods slowly, letting Jordan’s assessment of McCall settle before turning the conversation toward the work that has gone into preparing for the fight. He glances down at his notes and flips to the next page, then looks back across at Jordan.]
Isaac Cohen: “You’ve also had some pretty serious people helping you prepare for this one. You’ve been training with two time UGP Heavyweight Champion Derrick La’Bell, as well as former UGP Middleweight Champion and Ryujin FC Champion Zion Momo’a. Those are two guys who bring very different experiences and perspectives into a training room. What has training with those two been like, and what have they brought out of you during this camp?”
[Jordan nods as Isaac brings up the two names. He briefly looks down at his hands before looking back toward Isaac.]
Jordan Parker: “Derrick is obviously a big strength and power guy. When you’re working with him, you feel that difference immediately. He’s a heavyweight, a two time UGP Heavyweight Champion, and he knows what it’s like to impose your will on somebody physically. That’s something I’ve been able to learn from him.”
[Jordan shifts slightly, his expression becoming more animated as he talks about Zion.]
Jordan Parker: “Then you’ve got Zion, who’s the complete opposite in that sense. He’s about speed and quickness, and he’s one of the best kickboxers in the world. The way he moves, the way he sees things coming, the way he can create an opening and be gone before you even realize what happened… that’s something you can’t really replicate with anybody else.”
[Jordan leans forward, resting his forearms against his knees.]
Jordan Parker: “But the biggest thing with both of them has been the game plan. It’s not just about getting in there and having good sparring sessions. We’ve spent a lot of time breaking Byron down, figuring out where I can have success, figuring out what I need to take away from him, and then actually putting that plan into practice.”
[He gives a small nod, his confidence becoming more apparent.]
Jordan Parker: “Derrick and Zion have both helped me get ready to execute. Because having a game plan is one thing. Being able to stay disciplined enough to follow it when somebody is trying to punch you in the face is something completely different. That’s what this camp has really been about.”
[Isaac leans back slightly, a hint of a smile appearing as he looks across at Jordan. He glances briefly at his notes before setting them aside, giving Jordan his full attention.]
Isaac Cohen: “If this fight goes exactly the way you want it to, what does Jordan Parker’s performance look like on August 30th?”
[Jordan’s lips curl into a grin almost immediately. He sits back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with the question as he rubs his hands together.]
Jordan Parker: “Trapping Byron in something and tapping him out in about thirty seconds. That’d be perfect.”
[Jordan lets the joke hang for a moment before laughing quietly and shaking his head. His expression settles as he leans forward, elbows resting against his knees.]
Jordan Parker: “But seriously, I don’t think you can script a fight like that. Especially against somebody like Byron. He’s too experienced, too smart, and too disciplined. I’m not going in there expecting to have everything go exactly the way we planned.”
[He gestures lightly with one hand as he continues, his tone becoming more measured.]
Jordan Parker: “What I want is to fight my fight. I want to use my speed, keep a high pace, make him uncomfortable, and make him work. I want to be smart about where I take the fight and not give him the opportunities he’s looking for. If I can stay disciplined, keep my conditioning and force him to fight at a pace he’s not comfortable with, then I think I’ll be in a really good position.”
[Jordan gives another small nod, his confidence returning to his voice.]
Jordan Parker: “And if the submission is there, I’m taking it. If it’s not there, I’m not going to force it just because I said I wanted a submission. The goal is to walk out of Madison Square Garden with that belt. However we get there, that’s the perfect performance.”
[Isaac nods as Jordan finishes. The lightheartedness from the previous exchange fades. His voice remains calm, but the question carries considerably more weight.]
Isaac Cohen: “When things get difficult and both fighters are exhausted, what do you believe separates you from Byron?”
[Jordan sits quietly for a moment, considering the question. ]
Jordan Parker: “I think that’s where I have to believe in myself. Byron has been in a lot of wars. He’s been in there with some of the best guys in the world, and he’s proven that he can dig deep when things aren’t going his way.”
[Jordan rubs his palms together before continuing.]
Jordan Parker: “But I think my conditioning and my pace are a different kind of problem. I can keep going. I can keep pushing. I can make you work when you’re tired, and then when you think you’ve finally got a chance to breathe, I’m already on you again.”
[A slight smile appears on Jordan’s face.]
Jordan Parker: “That’s always been a big part of my game. I don’t necessarily have to be the strongest guy in the cage. I don’t have to be the biggest puncher. I can make the fight exhausting. I can make you carry my weight, defend my shots, get back up, defend another shot, and do it again.”
[Jordan’s expression becomes more focused.]
Jordan Parker: “And that’s where I think I can separate myself. When we’re both tired, I still want to be the guy who’s thinking clearly. I still want to be the guy who’s moving first. If we’re five rounds into this thing and Byron is exhausted, I want him looking at me thinking, ‘This guy is still coming.’”
[Isaac looks down at his notes one final time before placing them on the table beside him. He sits back in his chair. The atmosphere in the room feels different now. The interview has moved through the history of the card, Jordan’s career, his family, his preparation and the challenges waiting for him across the cage. There is only one question left.]
Isaac Cohen: “Finally, Jordan, if you could say one thing directly to Byron McCall before you both meet in that cage at UGP 77, what would you say?”
[Jordan rolls his shoulders back and settles into the chair, his expression becoming noticeably more serious. When he looks back toward Isaac, there is no anger in his face, just the confidence of someone who knows exactly what he is walking into.]
Jordan Parker: “Byron, I respect you. I really do. I respect everything you’ve accomplished, the career you’ve built, the championships you’ve won, and the fact that you’ve been doing this at the highest level for a long time.”
[Jordan pauses briefly, his eyes narrowing with a competitive edge. ]
Jordan Parker: “But August 30th isn’t about what you’ve done. It’s about what we’re going to do in that cage.”
[Jordan leans forward, resting his forearms against his knees. ]
Jordan Parker: “And when that final bell rings, I’m walking out of Madison Square Garden as a four time UGP champion.”
[Isaac smiles, allowing the confidence of his final answer to settle before reaching over and picking up the notes from the table. He glances toward the camera, then back to Jordan. ]
Isaac Cohen: “Jordan Parker, three time UGP Lightweight Champion, former champion, and now one fight away from potentially making history in an entirely new division. Tomorrow night, Madison Square Garden, Jordan Parker and Byron McCall for the UGP Welterweight Championship.”
[Isaac extends his hand across the space between them.]
Isaac Cohen: “Jordan, thank you for joining me for One on One, and best of luck at UGP 77.”
[Jordan reaches across and shakes Isaac’s hand, giving him a respectful nod. Isaac then turns back toward the camera as Jordan settles into his chair.]
Isaac Cohen: “For Jordan Parker, I’m Isaac Cohen. We’ll see you tomorrow for UGP 77: Kane versus Supa.”
[The camera holds on the two men for a final moment, with the UGP 77 branding in the background before the shot fades out.]
