Max Holloway and Chan Sung Jung put on a classic matchup with back and forth action that was true to the legacy of both fighters. The main event of UFC Singapore was an action packed fight with tons to talk about. With “The Korean Zombie” hanging up the gloves and calling it a day, it was truly the end of an era.
In today’s edition of Aftermath, we are talking the main event of UFC Singapore as well as a little bit of retrospective on the career of the legendary Jung.
The Career of Chan Sung Jung: A Performance Back From The Dead
Chan Sung Jung has been a UFC staple for over a decade. He was a WEC product in 2010 and when the UFC bought the promotion, “The Korean Zombie” was a part of the embarrassment of riches to come over with the acquisition including other legends like Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz.
Jung’s career in the UFC started with a major bang. His famous twister submission of Leonard Garcia? Yep! That was his debut. It was a way to show the bosses they had a talent on their hands. The Fight Ready MMA fighter would win three straight beating Garcia, Mark Hominick in seven seconds and Dustin Poitier, all three by finish. He then took on the legendary Jose Aldo for a title shot at UFC 163 in 2013.
Then the Jung, who was 26 at the time, was forced to take time away from the sport for mandatory military service for his country of South Korea. All young men in South Korea between 18 and 35 have to serve up to 21 months of service. This was right in Jung’s prime. Upon his return, however, it would be apparent he’d not lost much of a step.
When he made it back to his career of choice in 2017, Jung was granted a welcome back party and was given a main event against Dennis Bermudez. That fight ended in a first round knockout that announced he’d gone nowhere.
His next fight was against Yair Rodriguez. That fight was one that saw “The Korean Zombie” dominate until the last second when Rodriguez caught him with the mythical up-elbow that took the world by storm. But he would not be denied. Jung returned next against Renato Moicano and finished in a spectacular 58 second knockout. He notched another win six months later against former champion Frankie Edgar, another first round finish.
After dropping his next fight to Brian Ortega, Jung rattled off a win against Dan Ige in 2021 and was granted his second title shot against Alexander Volkanovski.
The popularity of Chan Sung Jung was quite apparent at UFC Singapore. The crowd roared during his walkout. But his popularity was acknowledged for some time by the UFC. Every single one of his fights since Dustin Poirier in 2012 have been a main event. He was given two Submission of the Night awards. He won Knockout of the Night against Mark Hominick. Fight of the Night? Three times against Poirier, Rodriguez and this weekend against Holloway. He’s also the author of three Performance of the Night awards and the fastest finish in UFC featherweight history.
His imprint on the sport will not be forgotten and as far as walkouts go, nobody top’s The Korean Zombie.
Max Holloway Gets His First Knockout Since Jose Aldo Rematch
Max Holloway had to put the old dog down but everything done was very respectful. There was no bad blood in the buildup or after the fight at UFC Singapore. Holloway went out and did his job and did it well. While I am of the opinion that the 31-year-old’s best days are behind him, Holloway showed his craftiness and the skills needed to get a win against a guy like Chan Sung Jung.
Holloway’s skills are quite clearly not what they were. Be it because he doesn’t spar anymore or that he’s been in the UFC since he was 18, looking at old footage and watching today’s Holloway isn’t quite the same fighter. He’s not as fast, he doesn’t come with the same amount of volume that he’s once come with. But where he lacks the skills of his youth, he makes up for it in knowledge. Max Holloway may be an old man by MMA featherweight standards, but he is on his way to being that crafty old veteran that will give anyone troubles.
While I am concerned about Holloway’s chin, he famously has the most significant strikes and absorbed significant strikes in UFC history, I’m not sure if this fight was a knock on Holloway’s chin or a testament to Jung’s power. Regardless, Holloway was hurt at multiple times in this fight. Going forward, I would like to see Holloway’s head movement and defense improved upon in future fights.
Holloway’s craftiness with his footwork was apparent early and it gave Jung fits. He consistently moved out of range at an angle while landing pot shots and lining up his power shots.
To square up, (1) Holloway would need to draw a counter out of Jung. He started this exchange in orthodox, the same as Jung. He would then (2) show a jab and a cross to get said reaction. It would work like a charm and (3) Jung would throw the left hook and Holloway would weave underneath and to his right. His would line up his left hand which (4) lands clean.
When fighting a power puncher like Jung, the danger is always there to get rocked. After getting rocked early, Holloway ratcheted down the pressure and started trying to let Jung come to him. This weaving under the big punches was what Holloway needed to really turn the tides in his favor.
Holloway also dealt with the craftiness of Jung as well. Jung looked to find the counter he needed in the first two rounds of the fight at UFC Singapore. (1) When Holloway was in a bladed stance with Jung, he would (2) throw the jab out which Jung would slip to the outside. This opens Holloway up to a hook to the body big time, a liver shot on top of that.. But Jung would instead go for the knockout up top. (3) He throws the left hook and Holloway dips underneath that. We see that Holloway will extend his arm as he’s down to deter any sort of clinching and keep space between he and Jung. If Jung were to press the issue, he could push him away with the forearm and putting his weight behind it. But Jung does not look for the clinch and Holloway will then (4) exit at an angle to stay out of the clinch that Jung was looking for most of the night.
Going out on his shield
Circling back around to “The Korean Zombie,” the third round exemplified what he was so good at his entire career. Chan Sung Jung went out and brought the fight forward. He went after his opponent and wasn’t scared to get stopped which, of course, he did.
Chan Sung Jung went out on his shield, as a warrior, one who’s days were behind him. When he announced his retirement, one of the MMA legends called it a day. He was finally able to rest and begin the next chapter of his life. Zombies are notoriously hard to kill and so was Chan Sung Jung. A threat at all times, he proved that Asian martial arts had potential in a sport where Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, American and Russian wrestlers, and very little of else had a foothold among the elite.
Thank you for the entertainment. Long live The Korean Zombie.