2012 World MMA Heavyweight Scouting Report: #7 - Adam Parkes

Name:	Adam Parkes
Nickname:	--
Age:	30
Height:	6'3"
Location:	United Kingdom

Surprisingly, the United Kingdom has been absent so far on the 2012 World MMA Scouting Report. Considering the fact that it was one of the UFC's first international destinations, it's difficult to believe the region isn't producing quality talent in numbers by now. As a whole, however, the scene still lacks a higher quantity of quality trainers, and it still suffers from a lack of quality competition, leading many of the region's most promising prospects into a shark tank they aren't prepared to take on. In the case of England's Adam Parkes (3-0), however, there are always outliers to the norm.

The 30-year-old Wolfslair fighter has recorded three victories since going pro in May of 2010. He zapped Nikki Kent with a head kick in only nineteen seconds at Fight UK 1, then punched out Valentin Trifonov in one minute and forty-six seconds at OMMAC 5 a month later. He followed up those impressive performances with a technical knockout victory over Ben Whitehead at OMMAC 11 in November, roughly fifteen months after his win over Trifonov.

If I were to describe those bouts without any video evidence, "comical" is the word I'd use. Parkes annihilated his competition, completely overwhelming each and every opponent put in front of him. He nonchalantly strolled out to the center of the cage and kicked Nikki Kent head off. He nearly did the same to Paul Pestell in an amateur bout under the Knuckle Up MMA banner in 2011, except Pestell actually blocked the kick. Unfortunately, the force of the blow floored him, leaving him wide open for a beating that ended the bout.

Parkes' extensive background in Karate and Muay Thai are his obvious means to demoralizing and destroying his competition. He's an enormous striker with versatility, quickness, and strength in his attacks, battering opponent after opponent with a mix of kicks, punches, and knees that nobody has been able to withstand so far.

Defensively, he's shown a great sprawl and stifling defense to takedowns, usually countering with a strong ground and pound attack. From top control, Parkes possesses a basic understanding of how to control his opponents, enough to keep them at bay while he blasts through their defenses with heavy punches.

For fans hoping to see a brutish heavyweight killer in the Scouting Report ranks, Adam Parkes might be your guy. Concerns do, however, lie in the strength of his competition, but some of that criticism is deflated by the fact that he helps UFC veterans such as Cheick Kongo and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson train. At the very least, he has a sense of what it takes to compete at the highest level from those sessions.

Parkes could become one of the best prospects on the 2012 World MMA Heavyweight Scouting Report, but he'll need to escape the clutches of England's poor heavyweight talent pool to prove it. As thin as the division is worldwide, the UFC may sign him before that happens. Parkes' next bout will take place at OMMAC 13 in March against Deividas Banaitis. Beyond that, look for Parkes to begin fielding offers for bigger fights internationally.

Footage of Adam Parkes after the jump...

Adam Parkes vs. Ben Whitehead

Adam Parkes vs. Paul Pestell (Amateur)

Adam Parkes vs. Valerijs Trifonovs

Adam Parkes vs. Nikki Kent