UFC 273: Alex Volkanovski defends featherweight title with standing TKO win over ‘Korean Zombie’
- Australian defends belt for a third time, defeating fan favourite Jung Chan-sung in the fourth round
- ‘I’m on another level right now,’ champ says in post-fight interview with Joe Rogan – ‘I can’t be stopped.’
Alex Volkanovski cemented himself as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world in the main event of UFC 273 in the early hours of Sunday morning in Jacksonville, Florida.
The 33-year-old Australian, the UFC featherweight champion, returned to the Octagon to defend his title against the fan favourite “The Korean Zombie” Jung Chan-sung.
He made it look easy.
It was clear from early in the first round that the champion was the faster, more technical and more versatile fighter in the cage, as he attacked his challenger with strikes across all altitudes and peppered in deftly-timed takedown attempts for good measure.
That trend continued through round two, with the jab becoming an increasingly dangerous weapon for the champion, while the third-round concluded with a near-finish for the champion. It was a close enough call that commentators Paul Felder and Joe Rogan both questioned whether Jung should bother returning for the fourth round.
Jung elected to get off his stool, but after being stung by a blistering punch from the champion, was spared from further abuse by referee Herb Dean.
“I’m glad Herb Dean did that,” Rogan said after the stoppage. “There was no need for him to take any more punishment.”
“I thought he took more than he should have,” Volkanovski said in a post-fight interview with Rogan. “I felt bad, but that’s the sport we’re in.”
In victory, Volkanovski (25-1) has now defended the featherweight title three times, following a pair of decision wins over Max Holloway and Brian Ortega.
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“I’m on another level right now,” the champion added, with the featherweight belt wrapped around his waist. “I can’t be stopped, and I just showed it.”
“It’s just drive,” he added. “Drive to better. Always be better – be better everywhere.”
In defeat, Jung (17-7) is back in the loss column after a decision win over Hawaii’s Dan Ige in his last appearance. The setback against Volkanovski marks his second failed bid for the featherweight title after a TKO loss to Jose Aldo in 2013.
“I was the most confident of my entire career,” the 35-year-old said in his post-fight interview with Rogan, his face covered in bruises and cuts. “I was ready to go, but it felt like I hit a wall.”
“After every loss I always think about leaving the Octagon, leaving this MMA game,” he added, casting doubt on his fighting future. “But I’ll need more time to think on it and see if I will continue fighting.”
