UFC: ‘The Korean Zombie’ Jung Chan-sung looking to show he’s ‘become a smart Zombie’ vs Brian Ortega
- Title shot awaits if Jung can beat Brian Ortega in UFC Fight Island 6 headliner on Sunday
- It’s taken the 33-year-old almost a decade in the UFC to get to this point, after career-threatening injuries and surgeries, and a break for military service
Let’s start by saying that nothing seems to affect the focus of “The Korean Zombie”. Not questions from the world’s media that might be intended to get a rise out of the fighter, or the antics of opponents who might be trying to do just the same.
There’s been an eerie sense of calm about Jung Chan-sung (16-5) all week in the lead-up to Sunday’s UFC Fight Island 6 headliner against American Brian Ortega (14-1, one no contest).
“If I was just a Zombie in the past, I’ve become a smart Zombie now,” is how Jung explained his mood.
“If you compare me nine years ago when I debuted at UFC to a high school student, then I have become a complete adult now. I just fought in the beginning and the experience of failing a few times gave me a lot of lessons. I have grown not only in my skills and power but also in the mental part of my game.”
So forget the fact UFC boss Dana White has confirmed that if the 33-year-old wins this bout he’ll get a shot at the featherweight title, held by Australian Alexander Volkanovski (22-1).
And forget that it’s taken Jung almost a decade in the UFC to get to this point, through career-threatening injuries and surgeries, a break for military service and the peaks and troughs that come with life as a fighter whose explosive style has made him among the game’s most popular.