Two titles were on the line and there was also a big win for a local fighter against a UFC veteran at Zeus FC 5, which took place in Chungju on Saturday night.
In the main event Han Guk Jung knocked out the experienced Hyung Seok Lee to snatch up the inaugural lightweight title. Heading into the matchup, the talk swirled around the ground game of the former.
But all it took was a perfectly placed overhand right from the latter to collapse Lee in the opening minute of the main event. Jung swarmed immediately with double-fisted ground and pound and the referee had no choice but to step in and stop the fight at 25 seconds.
First title
‘Captain Korea’ (9-7-2) emphatically obtains his first championship belt after a career of inconsistency and missed opportunities. He has won his last three out of four, putting away all his opponents in the first round.
Lee (16-15), on the other hand, was knocked out for the second straight time. Even though the 33-year-old came in with the experience edge and a size advantage, it did not come into play for this title fight.
Touted prospect
The co-headliner had the inaugural bantamweight championship up for grabs. Highly touted prospect Su Young Yoo made quick work of the late replacement Shin Young Seo and had the belt wrapped around his waist in no time.
Shin came forth with aggression out the gate but Yoo fired off first with an overhand right and a crackling kick to the body to check the young challenger. The inevitable happened and Yoo slammed his opponent on his back and went to work.
Winning streak
After obtaining side control, Yoo slid into the mount and rained down heavy punches while trapping the arm. Shin was able to escape out of danger and scramble, almost landing an upkick.
“Super Korean” threw the legs to the side and mounted Shin. The armbar was there for the picking and the tap came shortly after.
The 24-year-old Yoo (7-1) obtains his sixth finish and extends his streak to seven, while Shin (1-1) loses for the first time as a professional.
Dominant display
In the upset special of the night, Min Jae Kang claimed the biggest win of his career with a dominant display over UFC veteran Will Chope. The South Korean implemented a perfect game plan, landing takedowns early in each round and maintaining top control.
He was able to win each round with a variety of submission attempts and peppering shots that had Chope in some precarious spots leading to a clean sweep on the judges’ scorecards.
Kang gets back on track after losing via TKO earlier this year and moves his record to 2-2 meanwhile Chope loses his second straight by decision and drops to 38-17.
Best of the rest
In MMA action two debutants earned themselves impressive first-round knockout victories. 10th Planet Cheonan’s Baek Ho Jang (1-0) and Team MAD’s Seon Haeng Heo (1-0) beat Do Yeon Kim (0-1) and Jung Dae Lee (2-1) respectively.
Zeus FC 5, Chungju, November 14th
Han Guk Jung def. Hyung Seok Lee via TKO (Punches) at 0:25 of Round 1 (Inaugural Lightweight Championship)
Su Young Yoo def. Shin Young Seo via Submission (Armbar) at 2:58 of Round 1 (Inaugural Bantamweight Championship)
Min Jae Kang def. Will Chope via Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Round 3
Hye Rin Hong def. Gyo Rin Kim via Decision (Unanimous) at 5:00 of Round 3
Seon Haeng Heo def. Jung Dae Lee via TKO (Punches) at 4:57 of Round 1
Baek Ho Jang def. Do Yeon Kim via TKO (Punches) at 0:46 of Round 1
Kickboxing: Hyun Jun Kim def. Jong Ho Lee by Decision (Unanimous) at 3:00 of Round 3
Kickboxing: Yoo Hyun Seo def. Kyung Min Han by Decision (Split) at 3:00 of Round 3
