Max Holloway secured his 20th victory in the UFC's featherweight division by knocking out Chan Sung Jung, also known as Korean Zombie, in the third round of their bout at UFC Fight Night. The event took place at Singapore Indoor Stadium, with Holloway's victory further solidifying his dominance in the featherweight division's record books.
Holloway's impressive UFC featherweight records include being the leader in fights (26), wins (20), finishes (11), and knockouts (9) in the division's history. The victory over Jung showcased Holloway's skill and control throughout the fight.
However, the bigger story of the fight was Jung's announcement of retirement from mixed martial arts at the age of 36. Jung expressed his decision to step away from fighting, citing his pursuit of becoming a champion and the challenges he faced in his career. He acknowledged his training efforts for the fight against Holloway but felt that he no longer had the opportunity to become a champion, leading to his decision to retire.
Holloway paid tribute to Jung's legacy in his postfight interview, referring to him as a "legend" and "Korean Zombie" for a reason. Holloway recognized the significance of landing his right hand before Jung could mount a comeback in the third round.
The fight itself showcased Holloway's impressive performance, with Jung making an aggressive effort to turn the tide in the third round. Despite Jung's aggressive approach, Holloway expertly evaded his opponent's punches and delivered a heavy counter that sent Jung to the canvas.
Holloway's recent record at featherweight has been outstanding, with 18 of his past 21 fights ending in victory. His three losses in the division have all come against the current champion and No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, Alexander Volkanovski. Although Holloway has a challenging record against the champion, he remains the top contender in the 145-pound division outside of Volkanovski.
For Jung, his legacy in the sport is marked by his notable fights and aggressive style. He gained recognition with his memorable Fight of the Year candidate against Leonard Garcia in his WEC debut in 2010. Jung's resilience, aggressive approach, and title fight appearances contributed to his reputation in the MMA world.