UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political Climate

UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political ClimateDana White’s trip to South Korea is off. In October, lightweight MMA prospect Dorobshokn Nabotov made headlines when he…

UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political Climate

Dana White’s trip to South Korea is off.

In October, lightweight MMA prospect Dorobshokn Nabotov made headlines when he asked White for an opportunity to compete in the UFC during a Q&A session in Abu Dhabi. White asked for Nabatov’s age and record before inviting him on stage and directing him to the back.

Nabotov didn’t score himself a fight inside the Octagon, but he did land a spot on a card in South Korea against Matheus Camilo under the ZFN banner.

White later vowed to attend the event and potentially sign Nabotov as part of his ‘Lookin’ For a Fight‘ series — so long as Nabotov wins, or at the very least looks impressive.

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Unfortunately, White will no longer be on hand to see Nabotov’s fight firsthand.

On Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law to eliminate “anti-state” elements. More specifically, his political opposition which he accused of aligning with communist North Korea. Six hours later, the National Assembly voted to lift the martial law as protests and calls for Yoon’s resignation rang throughout the country.

According to ZFN, White will no longer attend the event, implying that the political turmoil sweeping the country has resulted in the UFC CEO being barred from entering South Korea at this time.

“Due to the declaration of martial law in South Korea on December 3, Dana White, who was scheduled to attend ZFN 02 on December 14, will unfortunately no longer be able to attend the event,” the promotion wrote in a translated post on its official Instagram. “We sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to his visit. ZFN will do its best to invite Dana White to a future event. Thank you for your understanding.”

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Spokesperson for ZFN says Dana White chose to cancel their trip to south korea

However, a spokesperson for ZFN claimed that White and his team decided to cancel their plans to attend the fight card due to the declaration of martial law rather than because he was barred from entering the country.

“Following the Korean government’s proclamation of martial law on Dec. 3 citing national security concerns, White and his team decided to cancel the trip after discussions with ZFN organizers.”

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UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political Climate

UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political ClimateDana White’s trip to South Korea is off. In October, lightweight MMA prospect Dorobshokn Nabotov made headlines when he…

UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political Climate

Dana White’s trip to South Korea is off.

In October, lightweight MMA prospect Dorobshokn Nabotov made headlines when he asked White for an opportunity to compete in the UFC during a Q&A session in Abu Dhabi. White asked for Nabatov’s age and record before inviting him on stage and directing him to the back.

Nabotov didn’t score himself a fight inside the Octagon, but he did land a spot on a card in South Korea against Matheus Camilo under the ZFN banner.

White later vowed to attend the event and potentially sign Nabotov as part of his ‘Lookin’ For a Fight‘ series — so long as Nabotov wins, or at the very least looks impressive.

image 3

Unfortunately, White will no longer be on hand to see Nabotov’s fight firsthand.

On Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law to eliminate “anti-state” elements. More specifically, his political opposition which he accused of aligning with communist North Korea. Six hours later, the National Assembly voted to lift the martial law as protests and calls for Yoon’s resignation rang throughout the country.

According to ZFN, White will no longer attend the event, implying that the political turmoil sweeping the country has resulted in the UFC CEO being barred from entering South Korea at this time.

“Due to the declaration of martial law in South Korea on December 3, Dana White, who was scheduled to attend ZFN 02 on December 14, will unfortunately no longer be able to attend the event,” the promotion wrote in a translated post on its official Instagram. “We sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to his visit. ZFN will do its best to invite Dana White to a future event. Thank you for your understanding.”

image 4

Spokesperson for ZFN says Dana White chose to cancel their trip to south korea

However, a spokesperson for ZFN claimed that White and his team decided to cancel their plans to attend the fight card due to the declaration of martial law rather than because he was barred from entering the country.

“Following the Korean government’s proclamation of martial law on Dec. 3 citing national security concerns, White and his team decided to cancel the trip after discussions with ZFN organizers.”

gettyimages 2184833021 612x612 1

UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political Climate

UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political ClimateDana White’s trip to South Korea is off. In October, lightweight MMA prospect Dorobshokn Nabotov made headlines when he…

UFC President Dana White Prohibited from Entering South Korea Due to Political Climate

Dana White’s trip to South Korea is off.

In October, lightweight MMA prospect Dorobshokn Nabotov made headlines when he asked White for an opportunity to compete in the UFC during a Q&A session in Abu Dhabi. White asked for Nabatov’s age and record before inviting him on stage and directing him to the back.

Nabotov didn’t score himself a fight inside the Octagon, but he did land a spot on a card in South Korea against Matheus Camilo under the ZFN banner.

White later vowed to attend the event and potentially sign Nabotov as part of his ‘Lookin’ For a Fight‘ series — so long as Nabotov wins, or at the very least looks impressive.

image 3

Unfortunately, White will no longer be on hand to see Nabotov’s fight firsthand.

On Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law to eliminate “anti-state” elements. More specifically, his political opposition which he accused of aligning with communist North Korea. Six hours later, the National Assembly voted to lift the martial law as protests and calls for Yoon’s resignation rang throughout the country.

According to ZFN, White will no longer attend the event, implying that the political turmoil sweeping the country has resulted in the UFC CEO being barred from entering South Korea at this time.

“Due to the declaration of martial law in South Korea on December 3, Dana White, who was scheduled to attend ZFN 02 on December 14, will unfortunately no longer be able to attend the event,” the promotion wrote in a translated post on its official Instagram. “We sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to his visit. ZFN will do its best to invite Dana White to a future event. Thank you for your understanding.”

image 4

Spokesperson for ZFN says Dana White chose to cancel their trip to south korea

However, a spokesperson for ZFN claimed that White and his team decided to cancel their plans to attend the fight card due to the declaration of martial law rather than because he was barred from entering the country.

“Following the Korean government’s proclamation of martial law on Dec. 3 citing national security concerns, White and his team decided to cancel the trip after discussions with ZFN organizers.”

gettyimages 2184833021 612x612 1

Chan Sung Jung Enters Mandatory Military Service, Will Not Return to Action for Two Years


(So this is what boot camp is like in South Korea, eh? *immediately purchases plane ticket*)

It has been well over a year since the MMA world has laid an eye on Chan Sung Jung. If you recall, “The Korean Zombie” broke approximately half the bones in his body against Jose Aldo at UFC 163 before dislocating his shoulder in the fourth round, and only recently popped up in July to angle for a fight with Nik Lentz on Twitter. A perennial fan favorite with 2 Fight of the Year awards to his credit, Jung was scheduled to face Akira Corassani at Fight Night 53 before reinjuring his shoulder and further delaying his return.

And unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be seeing the Zombie for a lot longer. Like Dominick Cruz long. In an interview with MMAFighting earlier today, Jung’s manager, Brian Rhee, revealed that his client would be stepping away from the sport for two years (!!!) to fulfill the mandatory military service required by all South Korean male citizens.

He feels bad for his fans and thankful to the UFC, Dana and the Ferttitas for letting him be a professional fighter,” Rhee said. “He’s going to rehab, train and comeback stronger than ever after the end of the 2 years!”

Jung, 27, is scheduled to report to basic training on October 20.

MichaelScottNO.gif


(So this is what boot camp is like in South Korea, eh? *immediately purchases plane ticket*)

It has been well over a year since the MMA world has laid an eye on Chan Sung Jung. If you recall, “The Korean Zombie” broke approximately half the bones in his body against Jose Aldo at UFC 163 before dislocating his shoulder in the fourth round, and only recently popped up in July to angle for a fight with Nik Lentz on Twitter. A perennial fan favorite with 2 Fight of the Year awards to his credit, Jung was scheduled to face Akira Corassani at Fight Night 53 before reinjuring his shoulder and further delaying his return.

And unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be seeing the Zombie for a lot longer. Like Dominick Cruz long. In an interview with MMAFighting earlier today, Jung’s manager, Brian Rhee, revealed that his client would be stepping away from the sport for two years (!!!) to fulfill the mandatory military service required by all South Korean male citizens.

He feels bad for his fans and thankful to the UFC, Dana and the Ferttitas for letting him be a professional fighter,” Rhee said. “He’s going to rehab, train and comeback stronger than ever after the end of the 2 years!”

Jung, 27, is scheduled to report to basic training on October 20.

MichaelScottNO.gif

It’s an unfortunate, albeit honorable decision by Jung, and while it sucks that we won’t see him for another two years, it would be selfish and downright despicable to lash out at Jung or, say, the South Korean military for this development, right?


I’ve been watching a lot of The Office reruns, if you can’t tell.

J. Jones

Friday Links: The Dana White/Gina Carano Romance Goes Sour, Chael Sonnen Gets His Own Podcast, Girls With Dimples + More

(UFC 178 media day highlights, via YouTube/UFC. Sadly, Paulie G is nowhere to be found.)

Cat Zingano to Receive Ronda Rousey Title Fight With UFC 178 Victory (MMAJunkie)

Tim Kennedy: ‘Smaller and Fatter’ Vitor Belfort Has ‘No Chance Without His Magic Juice’ (MMAFighting)

Dana White: Gina Carano ‘Hardest Human Being We’ve Ever Dealt With’ (FoxSports)

What Every Aspiring MMA Journalist Needs to Know (Luke Thomas)

UFC to Make South Korean Debut in 2015 (Sherdog)

Chael Sonnen to Host His Own Podcast (AllAccess)

UFC Releases Bantamweight Mike Easton Following Four Consecutive Defeats (BloodyElbow)

The 20 Most Inspirational Pictures In The History Of The Internet (WorldWideInterweb)

Honest Posters #1: ’90s Movies! (ScreenJunkies)

Bad Lip Reading: The Walking Dead (PopHangover)

Meet ‘Ello’, the Latest Social Network to Challenge Facebook, Twitter (EscapistMagazine)

Oklahoma Beheading: Was It a Lone Wolf Terror Attack? (EveryJoe)

‘Wasteland 2’ Review (GameTrailers)

I Have Always Been A Sucker For Girls With Dimples (39 Pics) (Radass)


(UFC 178 media day highlights, via YouTube/UFC. Sadly, Paulie G is nowhere to be found.)

Cat Zingano to Receive Ronda Rousey Title Fight With UFC 178 Victory (MMAJunkie)

Tim Kennedy: ‘Smaller and Fatter’ Vitor Belfort Has ‘No Chance Without His Magic Juice’ (MMAFighting)

Dana White: Gina Carano ‘Hardest Human Being We’ve Ever Dealt With’ (FoxSports)

What Every Aspiring MMA Journalist Needs to Know (Luke Thomas)

UFC to Make South Korean Debut in 2015 (Sherdog)

Chael Sonnen to Host His Own Podcast (AllAccess)

UFC Releases Bantamweight Mike Easton Following Four Consecutive Defeats (BloodyElbow)

The 20 Most Inspirational Pictures In The History Of The Internet (WorldWideInterweb)

Honest Posters #1: ’90s Movies! (ScreenJunkies)

Bad Lip Reading: The Walking Dead (PopHangover)

Meet ‘Ello’, the Latest Social Network to Challenge Facebook, Twitter (EscapistMagazine)

Oklahoma Beheading: Was It a Lone Wolf Terror Attack? (EveryJoe)

‘Wasteland 2′ Review (GameTrailers)

I Have Always Been A Sucker For Girls With Dimples (39 Pics) (Radass)

WTF of the Day: Denis Kang Competing on Korean ‘Dancing with the Stars’


Props: Supersindo.kr. Picture of Kang in action available after the jump.

I don’t know how to break this to you, so I’ll just be blunt about it: Remember when a victory over Denis Kang actually meant something? Yeah, those days have traveled the same road as Pepsi Jazz. After a disappointing 1-2 run in the UFC, “The Super Korean” has gone 2-3-1, which includes his current three fight losing streak.

And now, the once dominant PRIDE middleweight is competing on this season of Korea’s Dancing with the Stars.

If you’re wondering how the Korean DWtS differs from the American version (you aren’t, but play along), Director Shin Myeong-hoon recently told The Korea Herald that their version “will focus more on dancesport (competitive ballroom dancing), which has its own fan base.”

Granted, I’m not exactly a dance critic. In fact, I didn’t even know competitive ballroom dancing was a thing until that last sentence. But from the looks of this picture from last night’s episode, Denis Kang is about to suffer a loss far less dignified than his recent loss to Jesse Taylor:


Props: Supersindo.kr. Picture of Kang in action available after the jump.

I don’t know how to break this to you, so I’ll just be blunt about it: Remember when a victory over Denis Kang actually meant something? Yeah, those days have traveled the same road as Pepsi Jazz. After a disappointing 1-2 run in the UFC, “The Super Korean” has gone 2-3-1, which includes his current three fight losing streak.

And now, the once dominant PRIDE middleweight is competing on this season of Korea’s Dancing with the Stars.

If you’re wondering how the Korean DWtS differs from the American version (you aren’t, but play along), Director Shin Myeong-hoon recently told The Korea Herald that their version “will focus more on dancesport (competitive ballroom dancing), which has its own fan base.”

Granted, I’m not exactly a dance critic. In fact, I didn’t even know competitive ballroom dancing was a thing until that last sentence. But from the looks of this picture from last night’s episode, Denis Kang is about to suffer a loss far less dignified than his recent loss to Jesse Taylor:

So what say you, comments section? Does Denis Kang last longer on DWtS than Chuck Liddell did? That’s a match that Kang might be able to win.