Vallie-Flagg (photo via UFC.com

By Kelsey Mowatt

After Isaac Vallie-Flagg began his 2013 campaign and UFC tenure with a split decision win over Yves Edwards in February, the lightweight’s year came to a screeching halt due to injury. Now, having spent several months on the sidelines, the 35 year-old vet is happy to report he’s looking for his next fight.

“I’m trying to get one man; I’ve been healthy for a little bit now and I’ve been begging for fights you know,” Vallie-Flagg relayed on the latest edition of Full Contact Fighter Radio. “Hopefully I hear about one soon.”

The injuries Vallie-Flagg incurred earlier this year ensured that for the second year in a row, the Strikeforce vet would only fight one time. In 2012, the only fight Vallie-Flagg participated in was a split decision victory he scored over “JZ” Cavalcante last May.  2013 has not been the type of year Vallie-Flagg was hoping for.

“I tore a piece of bone off my hip and then I had some issues with my spine that I had to get surgery on,” the Jackson’s MMA fighter said. “I started training as soon as I could after that, and now I feel like I’m back to 100%, and I’m ready to fight again.”

Melancon kicking Vallie-Flagg (right) (photo via Strikeforce / UFC.com)

“This year sucked man; in my personal life and in my professional life, this year sucked and I can’t wait for it to be over honestly…It was cool at the beginning, and then the injury, I’m sure I told you about my Dad getting diagnosed with cancer, and all that stuff,” furthered Vallie-Flagg, who also added that his Father is “fighting the cancer well.” “I’m just ready for this year to be done.”

Looking forward to 2014, Vallie-Flagg already has a card in mind for his next bout, and it’s right around the corner.

“I would love to fight on the Chicago card,” the veteran said, while referring to the January 25th, UFC on FOX 10 event. “It’s close to my home, where I’m from Michigan, you know? So if I could get on that card it would be awesome.”

And in terms of an opponent? Well, if you’ve been following the Twitter feed of either Vallie-Flagg (14-3-1) or TUF Smashes winner Norman Parke (19-2), then you know the lightweights have exchanged more than a few ‘pleasantries’ lately.

“This kid Norman Parke started talking trash on the internet; I think he won some reality show or something, and I’d like to beat him up really bad. I started off by saying that it would be an interesting fight, some fan brought it up, because I had respect for the kid. I think he’s a tough kid. He started trash talking me, so I just kept up with him, and now I just want to f–kin hurt him.”

Since handing Colin Fletcher a decision loss in the TUF Smashes Final, the 26 year-old Parke has gone on to decision Kazuki Tokudome and Jon Tuck.

“I don’t mind trash talking with him, and I think it will be the same thing when we fight; I don’t think he’s that smart,” an agitated Vallie-Flagg noted. “He’s a tough kid, but he takes some abuse and I’m happy to give that to him.”