The Takedown | UFC’s ‘Korean Zombie’ leaves a huge legacy for Asian fighters, and can retire with his head held high
- Jung is considering retirement after his TKO loss to featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, Florida
- If he hangs up the gloves, he will leave behind an important legacy for Asian fighters – whether he recognises it or not
Jung Chan-sung’s face was a mess of cuts and bruises by the end of Saturday’s UFC 273 event in Florida, but its most notable feature was a look of profound disappointment.
The fan favourite, better known by the nickname “The Korean Zombie,” challenged Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski for the promotion’s featherweight championship in the card’s main event, but ultimately suffered a fourth-round TKO loss.
It was one of the most decisive defeats of his career, and it had him considering retirement before he even left the Octagon.
“After every loss I always think about leaving the Octagon, leaving this MMA game, but I’ll need more time to think on it to see if I can continue fighting,” he told commentator Joe Rogan through his translator. “I will have to think on that.”
It is easy to understand Jung’s disappointment.
The Korean star was not only fighting for himself at UFC 273. He was striving to become the first Asian male to win an undisputed title in the UFC – and prove what he considered an important point in the process.
“A lot of people think that Asian men not being able to become champions means Asian men are weak,” he explained at the UFC 273 pre-fight press conference. “That’s not the case.”
