Tag: Korean Zombie

Korean Zombie has no regrets over the way his uFC career came to an end: ‘I’m happy the fight went as it did’

Korean ZombieLooking back on his UFC career, The Korean Zombie has no regrets about any of it. In August, Zombie,…

Korean Zombie

Looking back on his UFC career, The Korean Zombie has no regrets about any of it.

In August, Zombie, real name Chan Sung Jung, walked away from the sport following a knockout loss against Max Holloway in the UFC Singapore headliner. Still considered to be one of the best featherweights in the world, the 36-year-old has plenty of gas left in the tank, but after his devastating loss, Zombie felt it was best to hang up his gloves before enduring further unnecessary damage.

“The funny thing about this fight is I remember every single second of the fight,” Zombie said recently on The MMA Hour. “From the moment I got dropped, every single punch I threw, every single punch that hit me. In the second round when I got dropped, I saw the punch coming, I thought I dodged it, but I was dropped. I was like, ‘What hit me?’ In the first round I was wobbled a little bit and in the third round everybody saw I got knocked down.

“After experiencing these moments, I felt that I don’t have that chin anymore. I’ve been having brain damage over the years, so I don’t have that chin anymore. I’m not going to say any names but there are fighter who, when they were young, used to have a really good chin, but then as they get older they get brain damage, their chin gets weaker, and they get frequently dropped. If the fighter fails to acknowledge the fact that they got old and their chin got weaker, the end isn’t as lovely. I didn’t want to become that fighter, so I decided to retire at that moment.”

Fight fans were first introduced to Korean Zombie at WEC 48 in 2010 when he went toe-to-toe with Leonard Garcia in a Fight of the Year contender. A year later, he would make his official UFC debut.

Zombie quickly became a favorite inside the Octagon thanks to his balls-to-the-wall style of fighting that saw him score wins over the likes of Dustin Poirier, Renato Moicano, Frankie Edgar, and Dan Ige. And though he never claimed UFC gold in his 16-year career, Zombie will always be remembered as a fighter who’s top priority was to put on a show.

“I definitely wanted to show the crowd the classic Zombie,” Jung said of his final fight against Holloway. “If the fans watched my first fight in the WEC, that’s how I fought originally. I kind of wanted to put on a show for the fans and go back to the old version of me and put on a show. I kind of went out the way I came in this organization. I’m happy the fight went as it did.”

Zombie walked into his scrap with Max Holloway treating it like any other fight. Once he laid down his gloves, he couldn’t help, but be overcome with emotion as he looked back on his 13-year run with the promotion.

“Before I put the gloves down, I didn’t really feel anything, but after I put the gloves down on the canvas and bowed down right besides the gloves, it was an emotion that I’ve never felt before,” Zombie said. “Being at the end of a chapter in your life is something that’s very unexplainable. At the same time, I felt gratitude towards the UFC and the UFC gloves because it gave me one heck of a life, so that’s what I was feeling.”

Korean Zombie leaves the door open for boxing

Had Korean Zombie left Singapore with a victory, he would have lobbied for the UFC’s return to South Korea in hopes of headlining against Yair Rodriguez or Brian Ortega.

Despite the missed opportunity, he has no regrets over the way his career came to a close.

“The Max Holloway fight, because everything was perfect, the timing, my opponent being Max Holloway, the audience, the crowd, the love that they showed me,” Zombie said. “I’ve had my share of fights in life but this fight is the only fight that I have zero regret after the fight is finished, even though I lost via knockout. This is the only fight that I have completely zero regrets, so I would choose my last fight as the most memorable one.”

Though his run in MMA is over, he left the door open for a potential debut inside the squared circle, following in the footsteps of fighters like Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz, and Cris Cyborg.

“My heart and every part of my body says I could totally go and fight again, but I think it’s time for me to acknowledge that as far as MMA goes, I’ll probably not be able to fight again,” Zombie said. “I think it’s time for me to acknowledge that.

“If I get the opportunity, maybe boxing? A lot of MMA fighters try out boxing so why not me? Boxing would be fun for me” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Korean Zombie scolds fan who stole his last pair of MMA gloves at UFC Singapore: ‘You’ve crossed the line

Korean ZombieKorean Zombie left the Octagon behind hoping to take with him the last pair of MMA gloves he’ll ever wear as a professional fighter. Unfortunately, one unruly fan made that impossible. Fans witnessed the end of an era at UFC Singapore last month as fan-favorite Korean Zombie, real name Chan Sung Jung, announced his retirement […]

Korean Zombie

Korean Zombie left the Octagon behind hoping to take with him the last pair of MMA gloves he’ll ever wear as a professional fighter. Unfortunately, one unruly fan made that impossible.

Fans witnessed the end of an era at UFC Singapore last month as fan-favorite Korean Zombie, real name Chan Sung Jung, announced his retirement following a third-round knockout loss against former featherweight champion Max Holloway. It was an emotional moment for TKZ as fans showered him with praise during his final moments in the spotlight.

Taking off his gloves and setting them on the Octagon floor, as is tradition with fighters ready to leave the sport behind, Korean Zombie collected the souvenir and began his long walk to the backstage area following a post-fight interview inside the cage. It was then that a greedy fan in the crowd snatched one of the gloves from his hand.

“So, I took off my gloves in the Octagon, and I was walking backstage with the gloves in my left hand,” Jung said on his YouTube channel. “While I was high-fiving the audience during the walk back, I kept my left arm folded on purpose because I had the gloves in my left hand but then someone held on to my wrists and took one of my gloves.

“Dude, seriously?” he continued. “I really wanted to keep those gloves but one went missing. So, I was like, ‘Whatever,’ and just threw the other one into the crowd. Whoever took my glove, you’ve crossed the line. Those were my last pair of gloves” (h/t MMA Mania).

Though he never claimed UFC gold during his iconic career, Korean Zombie challenged for the featherweight title on two separate occasions, squaring off with 145-pound legend Jose Aldo and reigning world champion Alexander Volkanovski. TKZ holds victories over some of the sport’s biggest names, including Dustin Poirier, Frankie Edgar, Renato Moicano, and Dan Ige. He also carries the distinction of being the first fighter to submit his opponent via a twister in the UFC.

Chan Sung Jung releases statement following UFC retirement: ‘Thank you so much for loving The Korean Zombie’

chan sung jung thanks for loving the korean zombie statement UFC retirementChan Sung Jung has released a statement following his retirement last night. It was an emotional day for MMA fans, Jung would conclude his legendary career after a captivating clash with Max Holloway. The two squared off in the main event of UFC Singapore in what was a display of both Jung and Holloway’s notorious […]

chan sung jung thanks for loving the korean zombie statement UFC retirement

Chan Sung Jung has released a statement following his retirement last night.

It was an emotional day for MMA fans, Jung would conclude his legendary career after a captivating clash with Max Holloway. The two squared off in the main event of UFC Singapore in what was a display of both Jung and Holloway’s notorious grit and fighting spirit. 

Holloway always seemed a step ahead of Jung and while ‘The Korean Zombie’ would hurt him, ‘Blessed’ would eventually find the fatal blow in the third round. 

Following the fight, a bruised and weathered Jung would lay his gloves in the middle of the cage before an emotional speech and send-off. 

Chan Sung Jung speaks following retirement

From the hospital bed, Jung released a photo and attached a short statement reacting to his retirement – again tugging on the heartstring of fans.  

“I haven’t achieved everything, but I’ve achieved enough, and wanting more in my head is like greed, so I’m trying to stop,” Jung stated via Instagram. “I feel like I’ve received undeserved love compared to what I’ve done, so I’m grateful to everyone. Now I don’t think I will live a life of being judged and compared anymore, so I feel free, relieved, and scared. 

“In the meantime… Thank you so much for loving Korean Zombie. I was really, really happy while fighting in the UFC. Thank you UFC, [Sean Shelby], [Dana White], for letting me live this life. And it was an honour for [Max Holloway] to be my last fight opponent. Let’s greet each other with a bright smile someday. #End.” (Translated by MMA Mania)

Jung leaves the sport of MMA a legend, respected by both his contemporaries and those who had the pleasure to watch him compete. A fighter’s fighter, Jung was all heart and never backed down from anyone. Frome WEC to challenging Alexander Volkaonvski for his featherweight title, the 36-year-old always came to put on a show.

Jung holds notable wins over the likes of Dustin Poirier, Leonard Garcia and Frankie Edgar. 

Chan Sung Jung’s retirement speech

How will you remember Chan Sung Jung?

Conor McGregor heaps praise on Max Holloway after UFC Singapore win: ‘What a shot, tremendous stuff’

Conor McGregor praises Max Holloway KO win at UFC Singapore what a shot tremendous stuffNot even Conor McGregor could find something cynical to say about the action-packed main event clash between Max Holloway and The Korean Zombie at UFC Singapore. On Saturday, fans inside Singapore Indoor Stadium were treated to a veritable featherweight superfight as South Korean fan favorite The Korean Zombie, real name Chan Sung Jung, made his […]

Conor McGregor praises Max Holloway KO win at UFC Singapore what a shot tremendous stuff

Not even Conor McGregor could find something cynical to say about the action-packed main event clash between Max Holloway and The Korean Zombie at UFC Singapore.

On Saturday, fans inside Singapore Indoor Stadium were treated to a veritable featherweight superfight as South Korean fan favorite The Korean Zombie, real name Chan Sung Jung, made his final stand in the Octagon against one of the greatest strikers in the history of the sport, Max Holloway.

Needless to say, the headliner did not disappoint as both men entered the cage determined to sling leather and put on a show. Zombie and Holloway both had their moments early on, but in the third round, they decided to throw caution to the win and began wildly throwing bombs. Zombie appeared to outstrike Holloway during the onslaught, but ‘Blessed’ managed to land a looping right hand that caught TKZ on the button, sending him crashing to the canvas.

Immediately following the fight, Irish megastar Conor McGregor took to X (formerly Twitter) and praised both fighters and the promotion for putting on a hell of a show.

“What a shot, what a performance! Classic Zombie, classic Holloway,” McGregor wrote. “Tremendous stuff! @ufc, as advertised.”

Conor McGregor Gives Some Love to Korean Zombie and Max Holloway

It was an emotional scene following the fight as The Korean Zombie announced his retirement from the sport. Leaving the Octagon for the final time with tears in his eyes and thousands of fans serenading him with their rendition of ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries, nobody could hold in their appreciation for what TKZ has meant to the sport, including Conor McGregor who followed up on his initial post.

“Well done Korean Zombie,” McGregor added. “What a goer!”

Conor McGregor also showered Max Holloway with praise following his highlight-reel-worthy knockout. “Man!!! Max fuckin’ Holloway!”

Max Holloway moved to 21-7 inside the Octagon and is currently riding back-to-back wins, including his third-round knockout against The Korean Zombie on Saturday. Dating back to 2019, the only man that ‘Blessed’ has lost to is reigning featherweight world champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Korean Zombie walks away from the sport going 17-8 and carrying wins over some of the biggest names in UFC history, including Dustin Poirier, Jose Aldo, and Frankie Edgar.

The Korean Zombie unsure if UFC Singapore headliner with Max Holloway will be his final fight

Korean ZombieThe Korean Zombie is uncertain whether or not his UFC Singapore headliner with Max Holloway will be his MMA swan song. On Saturday night, Zombie, real name Chan Sung Jung, will return to the Octagon more than a year removed from his lopsided loss to featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 273. He’s set to […]

Korean Zombie

The Korean Zombie is uncertain whether or not his UFC Singapore headliner with Max Holloway will be his MMA swan song.

On Saturday night, Zombie, real name Chan Sung Jung, will return to the Octagon more than a year removed from his lopsided loss to featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 273. He’s set to square off with another sample of the 145-pound division, Max Holloway as the pair main event the promotion’s highly anticipated return to Lion City.

After 16 years of competing in mixed martial arts, many were under the impression that Korean Zombie’s fight with Holloway would be his last appearance inside the Octagon. However, that may not be the case. Speaking about his potential retirement with members of the press, Zombie suggested that he’s taking things as they come and has not yet decided one way or the other.

“I’m not really sure what’s going to happen,” Zombie said through an interpreter at the UFC Singapore media event. “It’s very difficult for a fighter to acknowledge that one’s career has ended. I’ll have to see how well I fight in the Octagon. I’ll have to assess myself on this fight, and then decide what’s going on next” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Korean Zombie Excited to Take on Another Featherweight Legend

While The Korean Zombie is still sitting firmly in the featherweight top ten, a lot of fans have criticized the UFC for booking the South Korean striker against a veritable killer like Max Holloway.

“I’ve wanted to fight Holloway forever,” Zombie said. “Whenever I imagine me fighting Holloway, I also expect a slugfest to happen. Both fighters are going to be worn out to the very bottom, so it’s going to be a very fun fight.”

Currently, The Korean Zombie sits as a massive five-to-one underdog going into what could be his final main event matchup inside the Octagon. Despite the odds and his unfavorable showing against Alexander Volkanovski, Zombie has no intentions of leaving Singapore without having his hand raised.

“I respect Max,” Zombie continued. “He’s a living legend. He’s a legend in this division. I’ve fought three legends here in this division: I fought Jose Aldo, I fought Volkanovski. I respect Max, but just because I respect him does not mean I’m going to go easy on him. I expect to win this fight. I’m going to go hard on him.”

UFC Singapore will air live from Singapore Indoor Stadium with prelims kicking off at 5 a.m. ET. The main card is set to begin at 8 a.m. ET.

‘Korean Zombie’ coach Eddie Cha wanted ‘an easier fight’ before settling on Max Holloway at UFC Singapore

Korean Zombie‘The Korean Zombie’ may be in for a long night at UFC Singapore, but Chan Sung Jung got exactly what he wanted according to longtime coach Eddie Cha. On August 26, the South Korean fan favorite will return to the Octagon for a main event clash with one of the most complete strikers in UFC […]

Korean Zombie

‘The Korean Zombie’ may be in for a long night at UFC Singapore, but Chan Sung Jung got exactly what he wanted according to longtime coach Eddie Cha.

On August 26, the South Korean fan favorite will return to the Octagon for a main event clash with one of the most complete strikers in UFC history, Max Holloway. The bout will come more than a year removed from Jung’s one-sided affair against reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. While ‘The Korean Zombie’ gave it everything he had, Volkanovski proved to be entirely too much for Jung that night.

As a result, oddsmakers have overwhelmingly favored Holloway in their highly anticipated clash later this month. Currently, ‘Blessed’ is listed as a massive -850 favorite, meaning that an $850 bet on Holloway would net you a $100 profit. ‘Korean Zombie’ currently sits at a +520 underdog, turning your $100 bet into a cool $520 should Jung pull off what many would consider to be a massive upset.

This is the Fight ‘Korean Zombie’ Wanted

Initially, Eddie Cha, the longtime coach of Chan Sung Jung, was lobbying for a much easier fight in his fighter’s featherweight return, but ‘Korean Zombie’ was intent on fighting the best man available. That just so happened to be the former 145-pound king, Max Holloway.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s a 10-1 favorite or an underdog, he’s still going to go out there and do his thing,” Cha told MiddleEasy. “But I don’t think there’s any pressure on him at all. He has everything to win. I think Holloway’s ranked No. 1 right now and he has nothing to really lose. More importantly, this is the fight he wanted.

“We all wanted an easier fight for him as he’s kind of going into the tail-end of his career, but he’s always looked up to Max and this is the fight he wanted, and we all want to see it. I said, ‘You’ve earned that right to kind of pick and choose who you want to fight with,’ and I think Max wanted it too. I think it’ll hopefully be a great matchup” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Most fans came to be familiar with ‘The Korean Zombie’ following his instant classic with Leonard Garcia at WEC 48 in 2010. Shortly after, the promotion was absorbed into the UFC and Jung quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his unique offense and balls-to-the-wall style. During his run inside the Octagon, Jung has earned victories over Dustin Poirier, Denis Bermudez, Renato Moicano, Frankie Edgar, and Dan Ige.

His opponent at UFC Singapore, Max Holloway, is coming off a big win over Arnold Allen, snapping the featherweight standout’s 10-fight win streak in decisive fashion at a Fight Night in April.