The Korean Zombie has decided to hang up his gloves. After being stopped by Max Holloway at UFC Singapore last night the 36 year old is calling time on his competitive career.
Chan Sung Jung admitted after the loss to Alex Volkanovski that he was contemplating retirement. But had he beaten Holloway in Singapore last night there is no way he would have walked away from the sport.
Thing’s didn’t pan out like that for The Korean Zombie. He took a lot of punishment on the way to a third round stoppage loss at the hands of Holloway and sensibly decided to call it a day.
He posted an emotional message on his Instagram page in Korean explaining the decision process:
View this post on Instagram
Trying to stop
He admits that it was a difficult decision and it sounds like The Korean Zombie didn’t want to stop fighting. But he is happy with his achievements and feels that, at this stage, he can’t continue to be greedy for more success,
“I haven’t achieved everything, but I’ve achieved enough, and wanting more in my head is like greed, so I’m trying to stop.”
These comments could leave the door open for a comeback. But it sounds like The Korean Zombie is mentally preparing himself for life away from he bright lights of the octatagon,
“I feel like I’ve received undeserved love compared to what I’ve done, so I’m grateful to everyone. Now I don’t think I will live a life of being judged and compared any more so I feel free, relieved and scared.”
View this post on Instagram
Continued involvement
Since making his professional debut in 2007 he has competed regularly apart from a two year hiatus for compulsory military service. But he has his own gym, Zombie MMA, in Seoul and will continue to be involved as a coach.
He was fighting in Singapore for the first time but is clearly a big fan favourite there. The Korean Zombie was overwhelmed and has clearly involved being part of the UFC,
“Thank you so much for loving Korean Zombie. I was really, really happy while fighting in the UFC. Thank you UFC for letting me live this life.”
No-one can argue that The Korean Zombie’s decision to retire wasn’t a sensible one. But he will be sadly missed and no other Asian fighter has ever managed to provide such consistent entertainment on UFC cards.
