It was meant to be a fight that would launch the 23-year-old featherweight Dustin Poirier into a title shot, but instead became a showcase for the scintillating talent of the man they call The Korean Zombie: Chan-Sung Jung.
In what could go down as the fight of the year, the main card of the UFC on Fuel 3 event delivered almost four rounds of nonstop action last night, as Chan-Sung bested rising star Poirier in all aspects of the game.
There are questions whether The Korean Zombie, so reckless in his relentless march forward, dropped a round in the third, but there are no questions over the powerful strikes that set up a beautiful transition to a D’Arce choke, which finally submitted Poirier in one minute, seven seconds of the fourth round.
Poirier was a slight favourite going into the match, and the youngster was already itching for a title shot against the man many consider the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world—Jose Aldo. Those thoughts are now fixed on Chan-Sung instead, who is now 3-0 in his UFC career.
The Korean makes a strong case for title contention. In his first two matches for the promotion, he secured the submission of the night, the knockout of the night and may have been in the fight of the year last night.
With a slight reach advantage, Poirier was supposed to be his superior in the striking game. At many times throughout the match, his pinpoint striking reflected this. But Chan-Sung was easily his equal, landing powerful short uppercuts and devastating knees, which outdid the young Louisiana native.
On the ground his skills were unmatched. Transitioning from takedown to ground-and-pound to submission with eye-watering ease, he left Poirier looking confused and out of place.
However, whether the fighter we saw against Poirier last night is ready for Aldo is another matter. Chan-Sung takes his nickname from the zombie-like way he moves forward despite taking shots. That “habit” of his was on display again against Poirier, as he left himself exposed and open to Poirier’s striking.
He may have gotten away with it last night, but against a clinical Muay Thai expert like Aldo, that tactic may prove his undoing.
Aldo has also shown himself to be almost impossible to take down. In his last fight against Chad Mendes, who many would consider the best wrestler in the division, Aldo stood resolutely on his feet, finishing his opponent in the first round.
And on his feet is where Aldo is most devastating, finishing eight of his last 11 fights by KO or TKO.
Aldo is set to take on Erik Koch on July 21 at UFC 149 in Calgary, Canada, where he’ll be the heavy favourite. After Koch, there are not many names that leap out as the obvious next fight for the Brazilian. Chan-Sung’s recent performance has surely staked his claim for a title shot. But he’ll have to iron out the kinks in his stand-up game if he hopes to become UFC Featherweight Champion.
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