It’s hard take down someone who is undead, which may be why “Korean Zombie” Jung Chan-sung beat Dustin Poirier on Wednesday, putting him within sight of the UFC featherweight title.
At the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia, Jung’s performance was no different from his usual: The 25-year-old Korean endured a beating and survived. Jung, who many say put the country on the UFC map with 13 wins and 3 losses, was the first Korean to fight in a main event. And his action packed night against “The Diamond” Poirier was nothing less than a blood-spattered spectacle.
“Korean Zombie” Jung Chan-sung of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.(Korean Top Team)
Jung’s third consecutive win puts him in line to challenge current featherweight title holder Jose Aldo, another first for a Korean fighter.
After his fourth-round submission win against Poirier, Jung proudly told the crowd in English that he was ready to take on Aldo for the title. And he may get his chance in the near future ― his D’arce choke against the 23-year-old U.S. fighter gives Jung his second consecutive win over a favored fighter.
Despite being pegged as the underdog, Jung started the first round strong, drawing first blood with takedowns and aggressive ground-and-pounds with elbows.
Round two for the 1.7-meter tall Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province native was no different after a heavy right punch sent Poirier to the fence, quickly followed by a flurry of knee kicks. An immediate reversal against Poirier’s takedown attempt sent the crowd chanting “zombie!”
But in round three Jung switched into his zombie-mode and struggled to take Poirier to the ground. Poirier saw the opportunity to take the fight and struck Jung in the only place where it seemed to work, the head, with multiple left jabs that had Jung stumbling.
“He had me in trouble there at the beginning of the third round and I seriously thought about giving up, but I just kept going,” said Jung after the match.
Jung ended the night at the beginning of round four with a repeat right, left combo that had put Poirier backed up against the fence dazed against another flying knee kick.
As soon as Poirier was on the ground, Jung finished the fight off with a submission.
By Robert Lee (robert@heraldm.com)
