Max Holloway defeats The Korean Zombie with third-round Knock Out
On August 26, 2023, UFC Singapore took place within Singapore’s Indoor Stadium in Kallang. In the evening’s main event, Max Holloway and Chan Sung Jung put on a battle for three rounds before “Blessed” crushed “The Korean Zombie” with a right hand, knocking him out.
Max is looking forward to TKZ’s debut album 🎤 🎶 😅 #UFCSingapore
(h/t @BlessedMMA @KoreanZombieMMA) pic.twitter.com/iJNQ2MHwMZ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 27, 2023
Max Holloway smashed Chan Sung Jung to score his 20th victory on Saturday in Singapore Indoor Stadium, perhaps cementing his supremacy in the UFC’s featherweight division. At the 23-second mark of the third round, he knocked out the Korean Zombie.
What an honor to share the octagon with you @koreanzombiemma . The man, the myth, the legend. Watching you through out the years and how you carried yourself in the fight world, with humility and respect. like a true martial artist. The OGs of WEC/UFC. None of these circus acts.… pic.twitter.com/qy6dpMy2Or
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) August 27, 2023
Holloway congratulated himself briefly before checking on his opponent, with whom he shared a hug. The Korean Zombie was overcome with emotion as he exited the ring to salute the adoring audience. It appears that his fighting days are over.
ICYMI…@BlessedMMA blew the roof off in Singapore 🏠💥 #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/JdbYzhZBri
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
“Korean Zombie” opened with a bang, delivering some devastating shots. Holloway seldom retreats, but he had to loop around the cage because he was briefly wobbled. Jung surged in and was met with a back counter from Holloway that nearly knocked him down.
From WEC ➡️ to UFC…
Thank you for the memories, @KoreanZombieMMA 👊🇰🇷 #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/9RJtEbLqYQ
— UFC (@ufc) August 27, 2023
In the second round, Holloway upped his production and levelled “Korean Zombie” with a powerful right hand to the side of the head. Jung collapsed to the ground as Holloway charged in. Instead of using punches to halt Jung, Holloway tried for a submit. “Korean Zombie” defended himself and survived. Holloway maintained his foot on the gas, but he was unable to complete the second round with a victory.
In the third round, Jung came out like a maniac and wounded Holloway once again. “Blessed” lingered in the pocket before unleashing a vicious right hand that sent “Korean Zombie” tumbling to the ground for the knockout victory.
No. Doubt. About. It. 🔥🔥🔥
Your main event is taking home FOTN honors!!! #UFCSingapore | B2YB @ToyoTires pic.twitter.com/FPVG6jE7Q8
— UFC (@ufc) August 26, 2023
“I’m going to stop fighting,” the Korean Zombie said via a translator. “I’ve always aimed to be a champion, I’m not here to just be ranked third, fourth, or fifth. I trained hard for Max Holloway, I really thought I could beat him. But I really think I’m going to stop fighting now.”
What a way to close out the show in Singapore 🔥#UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/ltKkzXGjjg
— UFC (@ufc) August 26, 2023
Max Holloway (24-7) became the first boxer in the featherweight class to record 20 victories, 11 finishes, and 9 knockouts in 26 fights with this victory.
Holloway has now won two consecutive matches and is 4-1 in his last five. He hopes to reclaim his championship against Volkanovski, whom he is previously 0-3 against. The Korean Zombie is now 0-2 in his past two fights and 1-3 in his previous four.
One final time for @KoreanZombieMMA ❤️🇰🇷 #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/7SEYMUnPEf
— UFC (@ufc) August 26, 2023
Jung rose to prominence after making his WEC debut in 2010, and his fight against Leonard Garcia was nominated for Fight of the Year. He competed for the UFC title twice, once against Jose Aldo in 2013 and again in 2022 against Alexander Volkanovski. From 2013 to 2017, he missed four years of his career to fulfil South Korea’s obligatory military duty.
