After a lengthy three-and-a-half year sit on the sidelines due to military duty, former UFC featherweight title contender Chan Sung Jung made an astonishing return to the octagon by knocking out Dennis Bermudez in the main event of tonight’s (Sat., Feb. 4, 2017) UFC Fight Night 104 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. “The Korean
After a lengthy three-and-a-half year sit on the sidelines due to military duty, former UFC featherweight title contender Chan Sung Jung made an astonishing return to the octagon by knocking out Dennis Bermudez in the main event of tonight’s (Sat., Feb. 4, 2017) UFC Fight Night 104 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
“The Korean Zombie” was rocked by some big punches from “The Menace” early, but true to his undead namesake, Jung was able to walk through them and capitalize with a picture-perfect uppercut for an absolutely thunderous return.
With the win, he should instantly vault back into title contention in what is shaping up to be an interesting year for the 145-pound division – if the title ever gets defended.
For now, check out the full fight video highlights of “The Korean Zombie’s” jaw-dropping comeback win right here:
Chan Sung Jung lived up to his Korean Zombie moniker at UFC Fight Night 104, resurrecting his career from the dead with a first-round TKO win over Dennis Bermudez in the main event after three-and-a-half years away from the Octagon.
MMA Junkie tw…
Chan Sung Jung lived up to his Korean Zombie moniker at UFC Fight Night 104, resurrecting his career from the dead with a first-round TKO win over Dennis Bermudez in the main event after three-and-a-half years away from the Octagon.
MMA Junkie tweeted out the official time of the stoppage:
The opening salvo didn’t necessarily look great for the South Korean. Early takedown attempts from Bermudez were denied, but he was able to catch Jung flush with multiple strikes early on. The UFC passed along the highlight of one of Bermudez‘s early strikes:
The Zombie’s time away from the cage hasn’t affected his chin, though. Jung was able to hang in long enough to find just the right opening and crash a massive uppercut to the chin of Bermudez to end his night and complete the comeback.
Fox Sports tweeted out the vicious end to the bout:
Connor Ruebusch of Bloody Elbow praised the setup from the victor:
With the official return of one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, it’s fun to speculate who Jung will fight next. Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com got things started by throwing out Cub Swanson as a possibility:
Jeff Wagenheim of the Washington Post gave some context to just how long The Korean Zombie has been gone:
The career arc of The Korean Zombie is certainly an interesting one. The 29-year-old was considered one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC after transitioning from WEC, stringing together three straight victories that all netted him a performance of the night bonus.
However, Jung was not successful in his bid against Jose Aldo for the featherweight title in 2013, and that was the last that fans had seen of him. Jung chose to fill his two years of mandatory military service to his native South Korea, thus putting his MMA career on hold.
The time spent away from the sport was never fully spent away from the sport, though. The dynamic fighter described the training he did while in the military, per Thomas Gerbasiof the UFC’s official website:
Because of all of the injuries and surgeries I had due to MMA, I was placed in a government office job and was able to commute from home. So, when I was done with work, I had time to go to the gym and train. I didn’t go at it as intensely as if I was preparing for a fight, but I was able to stay in decent shape, really sharpen and develop my skills and to rehab some old nagging injuries.
With some of those injuries apparently rehabbed and a new perspective on fighting. Jung is an interesting fighter in the division going forward. He obviously has a track record of being worthy of fighting for a title, and this win over Bermudez does nothing to harm that profile.
Bermudez has long been one of the underrated fighters in the featherweight division. The former Ultimate Fighter runner-up has now amassed a 9-3 record since losing to Diego Brandao in the final years ago, with one of those wins coming against current interim champion Max Holloway.
Bermudez came in as a Top 10 fighter in the division looking to make the step up to bona fide contender. Now, it appears that The Korean Zombie might be the forgotten contender looking for a big jump up the rankings.
For the first time since Aug. 2013, the “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (15-4) competed in a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout. Welcoming him back inside the Octagon was Dennis Bermudez (16-6). The “Korean Zombie” is indeed back. Jung got hit early, but he wasn’t bothered by it. A jab connected for Bermudez. Jung went
For the first time since Aug. 2013, the “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (15-4) competed in a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout. Welcoming him back inside the Octagon was Dennis Bermudez (16-6).
The “Korean Zombie” is indeed back.
Jung got hit early, but he wasn’t bothered by it. A jab connected for Bermudez. Jung went for a takedown, but nothing doing. A hard shot from Bermudez had Jung wobbly. The “Korean Zombie” tied his opponent up. They separated and met at the center of the Octagon.
Jung landed a one-two combination. A lunging right hand landed for Jung. Out of nowhere, the “Korean Zombie” blasted Bermudez with an uppercut that laid him out. Jung returns in style.
Final Result: Chan Sung Jung def. Dennis Bermudez via KO (Punches) – R1, 2:49
Strawweight action between a rising prospect and a seasoned veteran served as the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 104. Alexa Grasso (9-1) went toe-to-toe with Felice Herrig (12-6). Herrig handed Grasso the first loss of her career. Grasso landed a kick to the body. Herrig threw some shots upstairs. A jumping switch kick attempt
Strawweight action between a rising prospect and a seasoned veteran served as the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 104. Alexa Grasso (9-1) went toe-to-toe with Felice Herrig (12-6).
Herrig handed Grasso the first loss of her career.
Grasso landed a kick to the body. Herrig threw some shots upstairs. A jumping switch kick attempt saw Grasso go down on the canvas, but she quickly went for a heel hook. She used the submission to get back to her feet.
Herrig pressured forward and landed a right hand. A spinning heel kick attempt missed for Grasso. An inside leg kick found the mark for Grasso followed by counter straight lefts and rights. A right hand lnaded for Herrig. Grasso ended the round with a hard knee to the body.
A clean right hand landed for Herrig early in the second stanza. Grasso connected with a right hand. Herrig landed another right hand. Grasso landed a kick to the body. Herrig was more offensive and landed the cleaner strikes. Herrig took her opponent down to end the round.
The final round was underway. Grasso landed a side kick to the body. Herrig kept landing her straight right hand. She took Grasso down and moved to full mount. Grasso bumped her off and stood back up. A counter punch connected for Herrig. Grasso landed a leg kick.
Herrig continued to beat her opponent to the punch. Grasso kept getting countered. Herrig had her takedown attempt stuffed. Grasso landed some more as the round was closing. She tagged Herrig at the end of the round.
The last minute surge wasn’t enough for Grasso. Herrig was awarded the unanimous decision win.
After the bout, Herrig called for a rematch with Paige VanZant or a scrap with Michelle Waterson.
Final Result: Felice Herrig def. Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Before the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 104 began, lightweights took the stage in Houston, Texas. The two 155-pounders were Abel Trujillo (15-7, 1 NC) and James Vick (10-1). Vick is now the third fighter to defeat Trujillo under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) banner. Trujillo bounced around and moved his head looking for
Before the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 104 began, lightweights took the stage in Houston, Texas. The two 155-pounders were Abel Trujillo (15-7, 1 NC) and James Vick (10-1).
Vick is now the third fighter to defeat Trujillo under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) banner.
Trujillo bounced around and moved his head looking for the right moment to strike. Vick wouldn’t bite on the feints early. He went high with a kick, but it was blocked. Trujillo went for a takedown and he got it. Vick got back up and held his opponent against the fence momentarily.
“Killa” was popped with a straight right hand. He went for a takedown, but couldn’t get it as the round ended.
The second stanza began and Trujillo landed a left hook. He lunged forward and punched “The Texicutioner” on the neck. After getting hit with a couple of strikes, Trujillo drove in for a takedown but it was unsuccessful.
“Killa’ lunged in with another left hand. Vick threw a knee to the body. He was able to secure a takedown and went for a D’Arce choke. He couldn’t get it, but wound up in side control. He went for it again, but Trujillo got back up.
A knee from Vick to the jaw at the start of the final round rocked Trujillo. Vick forced the tap with a D’Arce choke.
After the bout, Vick told UFC color commentator Brian Stann that he wants to get back to the action on May 13 for the UFC 211 card in Dallas.
Final Result: James Vick def. Abel Trujillo via Submission (D’Arce Choke) – R3. 0:49
Light heavyweight action was showcased on the main card of tonight’s (Feb. 4) UFC Fight Night 104 event. Ovince Saint Preux (19-10) and Volkan Oezdemir (13-1) did battle inside the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Saint Preux found his back against the fence early. Oezdemir landed an inside elbow in the clinch. They separated and “OSP”
Light heavyweight action was showcased on the main card of tonight’s (Feb. 4) UFC Fight Night 104 event. Ovince Saint Preux (19-10) and Volkan Oezdemir (13-1) did battle inside the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Saint Preux found his back against the fence early. Oezdemir landed an inside elbow in the clinch. They separated and “OSP” moved forward. Quickly Oezdemir took the pressure back on and landed a hard leg kick. A straight right hand landed for Saint Preux.
At the end of the round, Oezdemir moved forwarded with shots. He was clearly the aggressor in the opening round.
The second round began and “OSP” had his opponent backing up a bit with a blocked high kick. He went for a takedown and got it briefly. A jab found the mark for Saint Preux. A left hand found the mark for “OSP.”
Saint Preux moved a bit gingerly due to the heavy leg kicks he took. Oezdemir appeared to slowdown as well. He started to come forward a bit more with a minute left in the round. The round ended with “Cousin” being a bit more active.
“OSP” pressured his opponent at the start of the final frame. He laded a knee to the body. He went for a takedown, but it was stuff. Saint Preux got hit with a straight right. Both guys looked spent and the fans in Houston did not appreciate their efforts. Saint Preux landed a body shot. He hit his opponent with a lunging right hand.
Oezdemir was hit was an uppercut. He got hit clean with a hook. The fight ended with “OSP” backing up his opponent with strikes.
Two of the three judges gave the fight to Oezdemir.
Final Result: Volkan Oezdemir def. Ovince Saint Preux via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
