How Did Chan Sung Jung Get the Moniker “The Korean Zombie”

Set to face Alexander Volkanovski in a featherweight bout at UFC 273, Chan Sung Jung, also known as ‘The Korean Zombie,’ has the entire nation of South Korea in representation for MMA in the UFC. With a highly anticipated bout amongst fans, Sung Jung’s story is largely underrated and outright in the dark for a few.

Who is Chan Sung Jung?

Born March 17, 1987, Chan Sung Jung is a South Korean Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the featherweight division of the UFC. He began training kickboxing in a Hapkido gym as a result of constant bullying and fights in his childhood. 

Sung Jung joined the South Korean Navy at the age of 18, where he began training in Taekwondo. He won a sambo tournament organized by the KSA (Korean Sambo Association) prior to his professional debut. 

Sung Jung made his professional debut in the year 2007 after training in MMA from the age of 20. Sung Jung would go on to participate in fighting promotions, such as Sengoku and WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) before signing with the UFC.

After gaining some notoriety in the world of Sengoku and WEC, Sung Jung would go on to fight Leonard Garcia, whom he submitted using a twister move. This would go on to win the ‘Submission of the Night’ bonus and was the first time in UFC history that a fighter used this move to submit an opponent. Jung’s twister submission was also awarded the ‘Submission of the Year’ honors by the World MMA Awards.

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Why is the MMA star Chan Sung Jung known as “The Korean Zombie”?

The Korean has arguably one of the best nicknames in all the UFC. Chan Sung Jung was named “The Korean Zombie” due to his incredible durability in fights. Sung Jung is known to be able to take immense damage to his body and chin and still move forward aggressively with his shots. 

A key moment where he switches into a “Zombie” was during the Frankie Edgar fight during UFC Fight Night 165: Busan. Before winning by knockout in the first round, Sung Jung moved forth against Edgar, despite taking hard shots to his chin. 

Moreover, Sung Jung has stated that he does not blink during fights and looks his opponent dead in the eyes. A deadly martial artist looking you dead straight in the eye can be intimidating. Moreover, a fighter unfazed by the shots you throw at him is reminiscent of a zombie’s nature.  

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‘The Korean Zombie’: Chan Sung Jung’s Fighting Style 

Although Chan Sung Jung is known to be effective in a slugfest, the South Korean mixed martial artist is well adept in most forms of fighting. His primary and most effective forms of martial arts are Hapkido, kickboxing, Taekwondo, Judo, as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

The Korean began his training in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu soon after his graduation. His fighting style is based on high impact and fast movements. This is done in order to deliver debilitating shots while being able to evade his opponents as well. ‘The Korean Zombie’ is also known for having a good ground game, owing to his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

His knowledge of BJJ and ground game submissions is of top quality. It is what facilitated him to use the ‘Twister’ Submission against Leonard Garcia. This was something that was previously never done in the UFC before. 

He employs agile yet steady movements in his fight while locking on to his opponents for the entirety of the fight. The Korean also has a mean overhand right, which he employs effectively using a slip and land technique. 

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