5 Things You Might Not Know About 'The Korean Zombie'

Jung Chan-sung (anglicized as Chan Sung Jung) better known as “The Korean Zombie,” is a South Korean fighter who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight division. In his next contest, the 31 year-old fan favorite will square off against Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Fight Night 139 on Nov. 10 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

His moniker came from his fighting style.

“The Korean Zombie” earned his nickname from his relentlessly marching forward, fan-friendly fight style. So synonymous has Jung become with the moniker that he is rarely referred to by his full name in MMA circles.

Stateside fans first came to embrace the label following his debut contest on American shores; an epic encounter with Leonard Garcia at WEC 48, in April 2010. Since then, fans have come to expect exciting performances from the Korean every time out, and they have not often been disappointed. Across his 14 wins to date, Jung has only gone to the judges on two occasions (14%). Eight of those wins (57%) have come via submission, with a further four (29%) by KO/TKO.

He has been a professional since 2007.

Having foregone an amateur MMA career, the then-20 year old Jung made his professional bow at SSF – Super Sambo Festival in Jun. 2007. He claimed victory that night with a second-round reverse armbar. The young fighter was to remain unbeaten across his first nine professional bouts, only two of which went to the judges. Six (67%) ended in the first frame. This aggressive fight style was soon to catch the attention of major promotions.

He was in the military.

In 2014, Jung put his MMA career on hold in order to complete his two-year national military service, a mandatory requirement for South Korean men. His stint in the military came to an end in the fall of 2016. The following February, “The Korean Zombie” made a winning return to the cage with a KO victory over Dennis Bermudez at UFC Fight Night 104.

He started out in Hapkido.

In his early teens, Jung was bullied at school. As a result, he got into a lot of scuffles. At the age of 14, his aunt had seen enough, and sent her nephew to a local Hapkido gym. Hapkido is a traditional Korean form of self-defense that comprises joint locks, throws, grappling and striking. Jung took to the discipline, and soon after commenced training in kickboxing. Later, he added judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and sambo to his martial arts regimen.

He has won numerous accolades.

Chan Sung Jung has plenty of achievements to show from his 18-bout career. He is a former Korea FC 65 kg Tournament Winner and Pancrase Korea Neo-Blood Lightweight Tournament Winner.

His rarely seen twister (back twist) submission of Garcia at UFC Fight Night 24 was chosen as the 2011 Submission of the Year at the World MMA Awards. During his UFC tenure, “The Korean Zombie” has won Submission of the Night twice, and Knockout of the Night, Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night once each. His iconic clash with Dustin Poirier at UFC on Fuel TV 3 was selected as Sherdog’s 2012 Fight of the Year.