(photo via WEC.tv)
After suffering only his second loss in his World Extreme Cagefighting debut, the World has been turned upside down for Korean featherweight Jung Chan-Sung (10-2).
Jung battled Leonard Garcia on televisions across North America in a Spike TV “Prelim” special leading up to WEC’s first ever pay-per-view event, WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber. In a see-saw battle that launched the name the “Korean Zombie” across the internet, Jung lost a split decision to Garcia but both men walked away with the “Fight of the Night” honor.
Now Jung is set to face George Roop this coming Thursday in Broomfield, Colorado at WEC 51 and talked recently about his upcoming fight, as well as the popularity of the “Korean Zombie” t-shirts.
Q: The Korean Zombie t-shirts have become very popular. Has the success of the shirts surprised you?
Jung: To be honest with you, I don’t think any of us expected the shirt to do as well as it did! I think we have to thank Dana (White) for a lot of that. After he wore it on TV, the sales really skyrocketed.
Q: What do you think when you see a stranger wearing a Korean Zombie t-shirt?
Jung: I saw a lot of people in Zombie t’s in Vegas at the UFC Fan Expo. It was strange at first; sometimes people would be in the elevator with us and part of my team would have their Zombie shirts on and the fans would start talking with us not even realizing who I was! One time some drunk guy in a bar actually refused to believe that I was The Korean Zombie despite the fact that all these other people were telling him it was true….
Q: What are your impressions of your next opponent, George Roop? What do you know about him as a fighter (his tendencies and his fighting style)?
Jung: I know he’s tall and that’s going to present problems for anyone in the featherweight division. He’s got solid stand-up and ground skills. His brains will soon be eaten.
Q: What must you do to beat him?
Jung: Knocking someone out always works.
Q: Do you think Roop will choose to stand and strike with you?
Jung: I doubt it, but it doesn’t matter to me. If I have to beat him with my jiu-jitsu, that’s fine, too. If he does want to stand with me, I’m sure it’ll be a good show while it lasts…
Q: Do you have a prediction for your fight against George Roop?
Jung: If Roop comes at me, I predict a Zombie victory in the first round. If he tries to strike with me, I predict an even faster Zombie victory in the first round.
Check out the entire interview at WEC.com.