Max Holloway Pays Respect to Former Foe Chan Sung Zung

Max Holloway recently expressed gratitude to Chan Sung Jung for being an important part of his career.

Two of the biggest fan favorites in the sport, Holloway and “The Korean Zombie” were extremely respectful toward each other even before sharing the Octagon. And they have since developed a friendship, which was on display during Holloway’s recent visit to South Korea.

Holloway was seen sparring with a teammate of Jung at the Korean Zombie gym, where they re-enacted his iconic slugfest with Justin Gaethje. “Blessed” then shared his respect for former rival Jung, whom he idolized growing up. Holloway also urged fans to lookout for his YouTube videos featuring him and his wife Alessa proving swimming lessons to Jung.

“I looked up to this man. When I was in high school I watched him fight many times,” Holloway said. “This guy’s an inspiration, without a ‘Korean Zombie’ there wouldn’t be a Max Holloway. So at the end of the day I’m super grateful for him and his career… I was glad I was able to share the Octagon with this man. Like I said, we’ve created a friendship. You guys watch out, YouTube, Max Holloway and Alessa Holloway teach ‘Korean Zombie’ how to swim.”

Jung missed out on a major part of his career from 2013 to 2017 due to mandatory military service in South Korea. He has since consistently faced top-tier competition, going back and forth before hanging up his gloves in 2023 while on a two-fight skid. Holloway knocked out Jung in his retirement fight in the UFC Fight Night 225 headliner in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Holloway since won a BMF title fight with a b knockout over Justin Gaethje and then suffered his first career knockout loss in a title fight with Ilia Topuria. Holloway is now scheduled for a trilogy against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 on July 19 at the Smoothie Kings Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, which be “The Diamond’s” retirement fight in front of his home crowd.

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