The UFC featherweight division has found its next contender and a potential star in Chan Sung Jung.
Jung put on an impressive performance in the main event on UFC on Fuel 3 as he battered Dustin Poirier for the majority of the fight before submitting him in the fourth round, in what will likely be a candidate for Fight of the Year.
“The Korean Zombie” is currently riding a three-fight win streak and his victory over Poirier was enough to convince UFC president Dana White that he is next in line to challenge for the UFC featherweight title.
Having sported an 0-2 record in the WEC, Jung has proved himself to be a worthy contender at 145 pounds. Victories over Mark Hominick, Leonard Garcia and now Poirier have not only helped his case with UFC management, but also with the fans; Jung’s performances have made him an instant fan favourite.
Should Jose Aldo get past Erik Koch at UFC 149, it would set up one of the more intriguing bouts at 145 pounds and it would add some recognition to the division.
Out of the three opponents the Brazilian has faced, only Kenny Florian has the most notoriety, which didn’t necessarily boost Aldo’s stock as a huge draw with the company.
But given Jung’s sudden rise in popularity and Aldo’s dominance, this fight can be easily sold and bring in a lot of revenue for the UFC. Although Aldo is considered as one the top pound-for-pound fighters, he still isn’t a major pay-per-view draw to attract fans. Therefore, it would be logical to schedule a title bout between Aldo and Jung for the next UFC on Fox card sometime this fall.
With Jung’s inclusion in the 145-pound title picture and former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar possibly moving down, the featherweight division might not be so weak after all.
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