[Korean Zombie] UFC 'Chan Sung Jung' Fight, History, Features

[Korean Zombie] UFC 'Chan Sung Jung' Fight, History, Features

 

 

[Korean Zombie] UFC 'Chan Sung Jung' Fight, History, Features

 

 

The fighting life is never easy, but Chan Sung Jung has had it tougher than most. A pioneer on the South Korean MMA circuit, “The Korean Zombie” has had more than his share of obstacles to deal with since first emerging on the international fight scene with an unforgettable three-round war with Leonard Garcia in a 2010 WEC bout.

The tough fights, he can deal with them. In fact, Jung embraces the battle. Unfortunately, injuries have kept him to just six fights in four years, and on Monday he announced on his Facebook page that he will be out another two years in order to fulfill his mandatory military service back home.

“All Korean men, if physically capable, are supposed to serve in the military,” Jung told UFC.com through translator / manager Brian Rhee. “So, no, it wasn't a surprise. I was hoping to delay it a little bit longer, so I could get in one more fight and also because my wife and I are expecting our first child this week. But, I'm proud to do my duty.”

Doing his duty, in and out of the Octagon, has always been important to the 27-year-old featherweight contender, and it’s why he’s revered by fans around the world. It’s also why this particular instance hits harder than most, especially for the fighter.

“It's hard for me, especially after being out for so long with injuries the past couple of years,” Jung said. “I really want to fight right now and there are a lot of interesting matchups for me in the featherweight division, so it's going to be tough to be on the sidelines. Also, there are rumors of a card in Korea next year, which is something that I've really been waiting for.”

 

[Korean Zombie] UFC 'Chan Sung Jung' Fight, History, Features

 

Last seen in action on August 3, 2013, when he lost a spirited effort against Jose Aldo in a UFC featherweight title bout, a defeat aided by a dislocated shoulder, Jung was scheduled to return on October 4 against Akira Corassani in Sweden, but again, the injury bug bit, forcing him out of the bout. Luckily though, if there is a silver lining to Jung’s two-year military stint, it’s that he’ll be able to stay at home and train. He just can’t compete.

“The upside to all of this is that I get time to fully rehab my shoulder and get over some other little aches and pains,” Jung said. “Since I'll be working in a government office job, I'll be able to live at home, spend time with my wife and new baby and train.”

Because of Jung’s laundry list of injuries over the years, which include surgeries on both shoulders, his wrist, nose, and orbital bone, it was decided that it would be best to have him serve in an office, and while he will have to fit his training in around his job, he wants to let his fans know that he will be back as soon as he’s given the green light to return.

“I hope the fans won't forget about me,” he said. “I also want to assure everyone that this isn't the end of my career. I'll be back, stronger than ever, to get that belt in two years.”

 

 

1. Early career

 

Jung made his professional debut in June 2007 and in December the same year, he won a Lightweight Tournament arranged by Pancrase Korea. In 2008 he won both his fights for Japanese promotion DEEP. He then entered the 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix where he won his first-round fight but was eliminated from the tournament by the eventual winner Masanori Kanehara.

On August 16, 2008, he defeated Michihiro Omigawa at DEEP: Gladiator via unanimous decision. His next fight was against Fanjin Son at DEEP: 39 Impact where he won via knockout in 17 seconds.

 

[Korean Zombie] UFC 'Chan Sung Jung' Fight, History, Features

 

 

2. Sengoku

Jung then entered the 2009 Sengoku Featherweight Grand-Prix and was matched up with Shintaro Ishiwatari in his first-round fight at Sengoku 7. After dropping Ishiwatari once in stand-up striking, Jung hit Ishiwatari with a right hand forcing him to give up his back. From there Jung sunk in a rear-naked chokesubmission forcing Ishiwatari to submit at 4:29 of the first round.

In his second-round fight at Sengoku 8 on May 2, 2009, he lost via unanimous decision to Masanori Kanehara officially eliminating him from the tournament.The decision was considered questionable by the English commentators and many fans (especially given Sengoku's history of biased decisions against Korean fighters), who felt that Jung had done enough to deserve the decision. On June 7, 2009, it was announced Jung would face American Matt Jaggers at Sengoku 9 in a reserve bout for the tournament with the winner stepping in as a replacement should some of the remaining fighters be unable to continue. Jung ended up winning the fight by triangle choke submission at 1:25 of the second round, but was not required to step in as a replacement.

 

 

 

 

3. World Extreme Cagefighting

 

Chan Sung Jung then signed with World Extreme Cagefighting. He made his American and WEC debut against Leonard Garcia (who replaced injured opponent Cub Swanson) on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48 losing by an extremely controversial split decision. Many MMA publications and fans (including many in the Sacramento home crowd) opposed the decision, which has led again to questions about the accuracy of the fight judging.However, the bout was awarded the Fight of the Night honors, this was later declared the Fight of the Year by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Jung next faced George Roop on September 30, 2010, at WEC 51. He lost the fight via knockout due to a head kick in the second round.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Ultimate Fighting Championship

 

 

Jung was expected to face Rani Yahya on January 22, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 23. However, Jung was forced from the card with an injury.

A rematch with Garcia was scheduled for March 26, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 24, after Jung stepped in to replace an injured Nam Phan.Jung was able to avenge the original loss after submitting Garcia with a twister in the final second of the second round. This was the first time in the history of the UFC that a twister submission finished an opponent and the win earned Jung his first Submission of the Night honors. This was later awarded for the Submission of the Year by the World MMA Awards.In his post-fight interview, Jung stated he learned the move by watching Eddie Bravo videos on YouTube.

 

[Korean Zombie] UFC 'Chan Sung Jung' Fight, History, Features

 

Jung faced former title challenger Mark Hominick on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140. Jung won the bout via KO at seven seconds of the first round, which tied a UFC record for the fastest knockout at the time.Jung's victory over Mark Hominick earned him Knockout of the Night honors. The victory also earned Jung much praise in his native South Korea, appearing on news broadcasts on the country's major national television channels (such as KBS).

Jung faced Dustin Poirier on May 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier. Jung defeated Poirier via submission in the fourth round. The performance earned Jung Submission of the Night and both participants Fight of the Night honors. The bout was honored as Fight of the Year and Submission of the Year by several publications at the conclusion of 2012.

 

Jung was expected to face Ricardo Lamas on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162. However, on June 14, it was announced that Jung had been pulled from the Lamas bout and would replace an injured Anthony Pettis to face José Aldo for the UFC Featherweight Championship on August 3, 2013, at UFC 163. Aldo defeated Jung via fourth-round TKO, finishing Jung with a flurry of strikes after Jung suffered a dislocated shoulder while throwing an overhand right.

Jung was expected to face Akira Corassani on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 53. However, Jung pulled out of the bout citing another injury and was replaced by Max Holloway.

 

Jung announced in mid-October 2014 his intention to begin his stint for mandatory military service in his home country of South Korea. While Jung did not comment about the future upon his completion, his manager indicated that he would return to mixed martial arts at the end of the two years.

In mid 2016, Jung attended Rener Gracie's inaugural Korean Super Seminar in Seoul.

Jung faced Dennis Bermudez on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.The win also won Jung his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

 

Jung was expected to face Ricardo Lamas on July 29, 2017, at UFC 214. However, Jung pulled out of the fight in early June citing a knee injury. He was replaced by Jason Knight.

Jung was expected to face Frankie Edgar on November 10, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 139. However, it was reported on October 26, 2018 that Edgar was pulled from the bout due to injury and he was replaced by Yair Rodríguez. He lost the fight via knockout in the final second of the fifth round Both participants received Fight of the Night honors.

Jung faced Renato Moicano on June 22, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 12. He won the fight via technical knockout in 58 seconds of the first round. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

 

[Korean Zombie] UFC 'Chan Sung Jung' Fight, History, Features

 

 

Jung was scheduled to face Brian Ortega on December 21, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 23. However, Ortega pulled out of the fight in early December citing a knee injury and he was replaced by Frankie Edgar. Jung won the fight via TKO in the first roundThe win also earned Jung a Performance of the Night bonus awardThe bout against Brian Ortega was rescheduled on October 18, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 180. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Jung faced Dan Ige on June 19, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 25. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Following the fight, Jung was promoted to the rank of black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

 

Jung is scheduled to challenge for the UFC Featherweight Championship for a second time against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 273 on April 9, 2022.