Last fight of the decade ends in first round TKO
By Zuffa LLC
On Saturday in his home country of South Korea, Chan Sung Jung the “Korean Zombie” faced one of the most durable fighters in the UFC. The last fight of the decade between the “Korean Zombie” and former Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar was as action-packed as expected.
Chang Sung has been on fire this decade starting in 2010 with a fight that was chosen by many as 2010’s best of the year. He was also the first man to pull off a Twister submission. There may have not been a more entertaining fighter in the last 10 years than the “Korean Zombie”. Remember his war with Leonard Garcia? Or the seven-second KO of Mark Hominick?
Looks like the time off he had to complete his military obligations did him well. Chang Sung barely got started. Within the first minute he clipped Edgar with a left hook. Frankie being the competitor that he is weathered the early onslaught. Moments later Jung caught him again with another hook and dropped him. Jung swarmed on Edgar, took his back, and dropped heavy ground strikes. For a moment, it looked as if Edgar was going to recover but after 38 unanswered strikes the referee stopped the fight. “Korean Zombie” wins in the first round via TKO.
He won and he did it in front of his South Korean countrymen made it more special, and that it was the first time his father had watched him compete live in the UFC was the cherry on top.
Now, with the win, this puts Jung in a very good place and will most certainly move him up in the featherweight rankings. Does he deserve the next title shot? After the fight, Jung immediately asked for the bout — no translator necessary — and he’s earned it.
“Volkanovski is a super smart fighter, an intelligent fighter,” Jung told the UFC on ESPN crew after the win through his coach and interpreter Eddie Cha. “But Frankie is too. He might have a little bit higher fight IQ, so I’m pretty confident I can beat him.”
Currently No. 6 in the UFC featherweight rankings, the win will certainly move him up to at least a slot or two above No.4 Edgar. Max Holloway, the former champion, also asked for the title shot against Volkanovski. Who will get the next crack at the title?
But there is something to be said for the Zombie’s longevity. This is a sport that has seen many come and go. May fighters start out bright and flame out. Yet even after all this time, after 10 years on the clock, a military service layoff and several major injuries, Jung is still out here making magic. He closed out the decade the same way he opened it, by delivering big in his performance. Throughout all this time, he’s always shown up to fight. He’s made MMA history defining moments. And now, he deserves his shot at the title.
