Max Holloway finally scored the walk-off knockout of his dreams during his match at UFC Singapore. However, he believed he had clinched that very moment a few minutes prior.
In an electrifying second round, Holloway delivered a punch to “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung that seemed to have the seasoned featherweight sprawled out on the canvas. Holloway was certain he had the match in the bag, yet referee Marc Goddard decided the bout should go on.
Forsaking the chance to unleash more punches on Jung, Holloway instead shifted his focus to a D’arce choke submission. It appeared that this maneuver would secure his win—except, well, it didn’t.
“Being a zombie suits him well,” Holloway remarked about Jung in the UFC Singapore post-fight press meet. “I could have sworn he ceased to breathe. I was signaling to Marc [Goddard], ‘Man, he’s gone!’ Then he starts fluttering his fingers. I’m like, ‘What’s this guy made of? Is he for real?’ The man is truly built from another mold. He’s a legitimate zombie.”
Holding onto his D’arce choke, Holloway watched as “The Korean Zombie” squirmed across the cage floor, thwarting any attempts from the former UFC featherweight champion to secure his legs— which would have intensified the submission.
On numerous occasions, Holloway was under the impression that the referee was going to call the fight. But Goddard kept on assuring him that Jung was still in the game, struggling to break free.
“The guy was making every choking sound you can think of—breathing, not breathing, gurgling,” Holloway recounted. “I’m like, ‘Dude, he’s out cold,’ and Marc’s like, ‘Nah, he’s not.’ I’m convinced the Zombie’s neck is made of some sort of elastic material. Seriously.”
While dead set on concluding the submission, another thought started to creep into Holloway’s mind, prompting him to ultimately relinquish the D’arce choke hold.
“All I could think was, ‘Don’t you dare tire out your back; you’ve got three more rounds with this beast,'” Holloway shared. “So, once we stood up, it was like, holy smokes. I had to loosen up my arms and back—alright, let’s roll.”
Although Holloway did ultimately claim victory with a knockout in the following round, he had nothing but accolades for “The Korean Zombie,” especially when Jung announced his retirement from professional fighting right after the UFC Singapore main event.
“Absolutely legendary,” Holloway opined. “I struck him in the second round, thought it was game over, but he just kept coming back. I mean, what on earth? Then, we hit the third round, and I finally knock him out. The man is a living legend.”
“Having the privilege to be his final bout was truly an honor. It may not have ended the way he or his fans would have liked, but he got what he wanted—to fight me, in Asia. My respect for ‘The Korean Zombie’ knows no bounds.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Max Holloway vs Korean Zombie UFC Singapore
What was the fight event where Max Holloway and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung faced off?
The fight between Max Holloway and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung took place at UFC Singapore.
Who won the match between Max Holloway and “The Korean Zombie”?
Max Holloway won the match with a knockout in a later round, after nearly securing a victory through a D’arce choke submission earlier in the fight.
Did Max Holloway think he had won earlier in the fight?
Yes, Holloway believed he had the fight wrapped up during the second round when he dropped “The Korean Zombie” with a punch. However, the referee Marc Goddard allowed the fight to continue.
What kind of submission did Max Holloway attempt?
Max Holloway attempted a D’arce choke submission, believing this would be his route to victory until “The Korean Zombie” proved surprisingly resilient.
How did Max Holloway describe “The Korean Zombie’s” resilience?
Holloway used the term “actual zombie” to describe Jung’s extraordinary ability to recover. He was amazed that even after appearing to be knocked out or choked unconscious, Jung continued to fight.
What was Holloway’s strategy when he realized the fight wasn’t going to be stopped?
When Holloway realized that the fight would continue, he began thinking about conserving his energy for the remaining rounds. He abandoned his D’arce choke attempt to avoid tiring himself out.
Did “The Korean Zombie” announce his retirement?
Yes, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung announced his retirement from professional fighting right after the main event at UFC Singapore concluded.
What was Max Holloway’s opinion of “The Korean Zombie” after the fight?
Max Holloway had high praise for “The Korean Zombie,” calling him a “legend” and saying it was an “honor” to be his last fight. He expressed deep respect for Jung, especially for his resilience and career achievements.
More about Max Holloway vs Korean Zombie UFC Singapore
- UFC Singapore Official Results
- Max Holloway’s Career Stats
- “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung Biography
- UFC Featherweight Rankings
- D’arce Choke Explained
- UFC Post-Fight Press Conferences
- History of UFC in Asia
- Legendary UFC Fights
7 comments
holloway calling Jung an ‘actual zombie’ is like somethin outta a movie script. love the drama and respect between these guys.
Anyone else catch the walkout music? Sets the mood for an epic showdown. These guys r like rockstars of the fighting world.
Who else was yelling at the screen when the ref didn’t stop it? Thought Zombie was done for. But nah, dudes made of rubber or something. Crazy!
Gotta admit, was sad to hear about Korean Zombie retiring. The dude’s a legend. but Holloway? Respect, man. That was a battle.
Man, Holloway really thought he had it in the bag, huh? That D’arce choke was lookin solid. Korean Zombie’s a beast tho, comes back from anything. Legendary fight!
Wish I cld see the biometrics on these guys mid-fight. Heart rates gotta be insane, especially when Holloway thought he had it won.
holloway’s got a great record but this fight? Next level. Korean Zombie announcing retirement just adds to the saga. What a night.