Park faces tournament winner Artur Soloviev in Road FC 079 main event
Park says he has spotted weaknesses, vows victory
Artur Soloviev (32, Russia), the inaugural Road FC Global Tournament champion, returns to the Korean stage after two years to face former lightweight champion Park Si-won (24).
The two will meet in the Road FC 079 main event at Jangchung Arena in Seoul on Sunday, competing at a contracted weight of 72 kilograms.
Soloviev won the Road FC Global Tournament, which concluded in 2024. At the time, Park issued a challenge, saying Soloviev had won a tournament Park had not entered. A bout was pursued but never materialized — Park suffered an injury, and Soloviev departed Road FC.
Their rivalry, which has simmered for more than two years, will finally be settled in the octagon now that Soloviev has returned. Soloviev said he remains the best fighter in Road FC. "I come back not as a challenger but as a champion," Soloviev said. "I have never had my belt taken away, and I have never lost a fight. I have never given up a single round in Road FC. I will prove once again that I am the best."
Park, regarded as one of Korea's top lightweights, was equally defiant. "Soloviev has probably never faced a Korean fighter stronger than me," Park said. "I want to win representing Korea."
Park acknowledged Soloviev's threat while signaling a tailored game plan. "Soloviev is a strong fighter with momentum. Right now I think he is a more dangerous opponent than the current champion Kamil," Park said. "But after studying him, I can clearly see weaknesses. I think I can win without taking his punches."
Park also stressed that the lightweight belt was surrendered when Road FC shifted to a tournament format — not lost in defeat. "I believe I am the best," Park said. "This will not be a boring decision fight."
With both fighters known for heavy striking, an intense exchange is expected from the opening round.
The co-main event features Pyeon Ye-jun against Aiertsili of China at a contracted weight of 59 kilograms. "He's going to take a lot of hits from me before heading back to China," Pyeon said. Also on the card are a featherweight bout between Haraguchi Shin and Choi Eun-seok, and a 49-kilogram contracted-weight matchup between Park Seo-young and Wada Serina.
The event is split into two sessions — the first at 2 p.m. and the second at 5 p.m. A celebratory performance by Eunha, Sinb and Umji, former members of the girl group GFriend, is also scheduled. Tickets are available through NOL.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
