With his performance in upsetting Dustin Poirier during tonight’s main event on UFC on FUEL TV 3, Chan Sung Jung “The Korean Zombie” might have just become the most talented and exciting UFC featherweight not named Jose Aldo. I do not know who could disagree.
Clean punches, flying knees, ground and pound, elbows, reversals, submissions…this fight really had just about everything. Jung had earned his place in the top ten by putting together two solid finishes in a row, but many were skeptical about what he could offer rising wonder-kid Poirier.
Not only did Jung choke Poirier unconscious in the fourth round with a D’Arce choke, he was the aggressor throughout the majority of the first three rounds. True to his nickname “Zombie”, Jung just keeps marching forward and could not be deterred in the face of considerable firepower.
Although he readily initiates and engages wild exchanges, he is by no means just a brawler like many had initially tabbed him in his US debut. Poirier is considered one of the most sound and powerful strikers in the division but Jung deftly matched his skills and power. On top of his striking successes, Jung also landed multiple takedowns, threatening with submissions and opening a cut on Poirier’s head once it hit the mat.
The dream match-up is now a title fight with current champion and pound-for-pound great Jose Aldo. Jung called out the champion in his post-fight interview, and we certainly look forward to what seems inevitable, but Aldo first must take care of business against Erik Koch at UFC 149.
Japanese Standout Hatsu Hioki also stands as an eminent featherweight title challenger so anything could happen over the course of the next year, but one thing is for certain, 25-year old “Korean Zombie” is here to stay and MMA fans will be there to watch.