A pivotal featherweight fight headlined the UFC’s third installment on Fuel TV. Fast-rising Dustin Poirier brought a five-fight winning streak into the cage to meet “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. The winner is poised to make a run at the UFC featherweight belt, currently possessed by Jose Aldo.
Here’s what we learned from the bout.
What We’ll Remember about This Fight
The pace. The 145-pound fighters battled hard from the very start. Jung came out aggressive and pushed Poirier to his breaking point. It was the most complete performance of the Korean’s UFC career.
What We Learned about Poirier
He still has a lot to learn. At just 23 years old, the Louisiana native has a long career ahead of him, and this setback will help him grow as a fighter. With his winning streak a thing of the past, Poirier’s resiliency will be tested.
What We Learned about Jung
He’s a contender. By dispatching of Poirier, Jung proved that his destruction of Mark Hominick was not a fluke. The technical aspects of his game have come full circle and he’s much more than just a brawler. He showcased a varied attack that included takedowns, flying knees and numerous submission attempts. Jung now has taken home four “of the Night” bonuses in his last three appearances.
What’s Next for Poirier
Despite the loss, the youngster doesn’t dramatically drop down the ladder. A fight with Brazilian Diego Nunes would put one of the two back on track toward contention.
What’s Next for Jung
With his last three wins, and the improved technical aspect of his game, a title shot against the Jose Aldo vs. Erik Koch winner is the right move.
Rob Tatum is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at The MMA Corner. For anything related to MMA, follow him on Twitter.
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