Danny Roberts will look to break a two-fight losing skid when he fights Jonny Parsons at UFC London on July 22.
Roberts, 35, lost back-to-back fights against Francisco Trinaldo and Jack Della Maddalena last year but hopes to turn over a new leaf against Parsons in his first of 2023. Injuries have plagued Roberts' career in recent years as the UFC veteran hasn't won a fight since beating Ramazan Emeev by controversial decision in October 2021.
Parsons, 31, was signed to the UFC debut after winning a split decision against Solomon Renfro on the Contender Series in 2021. 'The Sluggernaut' was supposed to make his debut for the promotion last February against Michael Gillmore but was forced out of the fight due to injury. Parsons caught the attention of fight fans in 2020 after a string of impressive wins for Jorge Masvidal's iKON FC promotion.
Who wins at UFC London in July - Danny Roberts or Jonny Parsons? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
Roberts admitted that battles with depression left him feeling "unbalanced" in the octagon, a mental struggle which has been tough to overcome. Speaking with Mirror Fighting before his fight against Trinaldo last year, 'Hot Chocolate' insisted that being in a better mental place has carried over to his fighting style.
"From my childhood to now, as a big man and understanding what I've developed into, I've had my fair share of mental and physical battles., depression at the most. It will affect your career in some way," Roberts said. "It's been the personal things in my life that have come into my fighting career which has left me disgruntled and unbalanced.
"So I've projected my thoughts into that fight. Overcoming my battles in my personal life is made me a better athlete. I've had mishaps and bad decisions, but I've managed to refine myself and get myself in a very spiritually aligned place mentally and physically. I feel calm, settled and very peaceful and I think that will help produce the best me rather than being agitated."
Watch Danny Roberts take on Jonny Parsons at UFC Fight Night London on Saturday July 22, live on BT Sport 1.
