Chan Sung Jung Should Be Next For Jose Aldo and the UFC Featherwight Title
by Fraser Coffeen on Dec 12, 2011 6:30 PM EST
in UFC Analysis
Email
Print
Seven seconds. That's what it took for Chan Sung Jung to knock out Mark Hominick at UFC 140. Seven seconds. That number officially ties The Korean Zombie for fastest KO in UFC history (alongside Todd Duffee). Any fast victory like that is extremely impressive, but the fact that it came against Mark Hominick? That is something special indeed. With that win, Chan Sung Jung suddenly vaults into the upper levels of the Featherweight ranks. But after this win, Jung shouldn't just be near the top.
Chan Sung Jung should be next in line for a shot at the Featherweight title.
That's quite a jump, I know. After all, Jung is only on a 2 fight win streak, and prior to those 2 wins, he had been rather emphatically knocked out himself by George Roop, and lost a controversial decision to Leonard Garcia. There are plenty of fighters above him in the ranks - men like Hatsu Hioki, Roop, Dustin Poirier, and Erik Koch. From a purely sports/rankings perspectives, those men should get the shot, it's true. But that doesn't mean it's the right choice for the division.
Just one year into their time in the UFC, the Featherweights are still struggling for relevance. Aldo looks to be gaining popularity, but it's a slow process, and his lack of big highlight reel wins inside the Octagon is not helping. Next up for the champion is Chad Mendes, in a fight that will perhaps interest the live crowd in Brazil and the hardcore MMA fanbase, but I don't see Aldo vs. Mendes drawing in many casual fans. Same goes for Aldo versus any one of those contenders named above. And that's assuming Aldo wins. A Mendes vs. Poirier title fight would be destined for Fuel or FX.
But Jung is different. Thanks largely to his epic brawl with Garcia, he has a strong appeal for casual fans. Like Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar years ago, Jung will forever get respect for his part in that fight. Add in the nickname, the persona, and the t-shirts, and you have a fighter that casual fans recognize and respond to.
Now, casual fan recognition is not the only factor, obviously. If it was, we'd be looking ahead to UFC 147: Junior dos Santos vs. Kimbo Slice. You need the credentials to back that recognition. At UFC 140, Jung established those credentials.
Mark Hominick is a near 10 year veteran of the sport. He is one of the best strikers in the division. He went 25 minutes with Jose Aldo. He's never been stopped by strikes. And in seven seconds, Jung took him out. Those are serious credentials, and when you pair them with his popularity, you have a strong title contender.
Right now, the division needs a boost. As the division works to establish itself, it needs main event names fans can get behind - as we saw with Kenny Florian's fast-track to a title shot. The WEC always understood this, vaulting men up to title shots quickly if they had momentum. Chan Sung Jung has that momentum, and he will provide that name. He's exactly what the division needs. Can he defeat Jose Aldo? Probably not, but that's not really the point. The point is, he can make you care to find out the answer.
Jose Aldo vs. The Korean Zombie for the UFC Featherweight title. Make it happen Joe Silva.
72 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
No No No
Winner of Dustin Poirier vs Erik Koch next for the belt
Until I get the image of him getting flattened by George Roop I won’t be able to support Zombie for a title shot
I'm not impressed by your performance......
And who are those two again?
Asks my brother who watches every event the next day. Now ask someone who casually watches.
Sorry to burst your bubble,
but very few casual fans know who Jung is either. I was sitting next to a guy in the bar at 140, and he was actually a very informed casual fan- inbetween casual and hardcore… but he had no idea who KZ was.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Dec 12, 2011 11:41 PM EST up reply actions
not sure what bubble ur talking about
none of these guys are known very well, hence throw on a freak show
No, that's the opposite of the right logic.
These guys aren’t well known, so you advance their status by putting together the most competitive matchups and giving them as much exposure as possible.
Freakshow matchmaking is a very quick fix solution to a long term issue.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Dec 13, 2011 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed, they're definitely higher on the food chain than CSJ.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Dec 12, 2011 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
He’s too sloppy and wild for Aldo. As a KZ fan, do not want.
"Referees, be sure to step in and stop the fight on time tomorrow, because I might get carried away in the moment and my many punches may end up destroying my opponent." - Tatsuya "CRUSHER" Kawajiri
He was sloppy against Roop,
but in general I actually think that Jung is a pretty crisp striker.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Dec 12, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions
As much as I like him,
No.
His win over Hominick seems to be more Hominick’s fault for rushing in recklessly’ than showing how improved/good Jung’s striking is. Jung is way to sloppy for a technical muay thai fighter like Aldo.
by Ricardo Arguello on Dec 12, 2011 6:36 PM EST reply actions
His translator (and Stun Gun’s) is the worst translator ever. It’s like a 200-person game of telephone compressed into one mildly stupid Korean guy.
I wonder why they have shitty translators
I imagine that the fan base is vast enough to find local MMA fans with the required language skills to do it for free.
by Schwizzles on Dec 13, 2011 1:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don't think he's ready.
That being said, he was too sloppy for a technical muay thai fighter like Pajonsuk, but he wasn’t the one out cold at the end of the fight.
Jung is way to sloppy for a technical muay thai fighter like Aldo
Which is precisely why everyone wrote him off against Hominick, the guy who went all 5 with Aldo and gave him his best test to date.
"After all, what's the point? Of course, levitation is possible ... If you're a fly; achieved and gone, there's time for this and so much more ... It's typical - create a world, a special place of my design, to never cope or never care, just use the key because he's alone; he has become a slave, over and over again."
by Dallas Winston on Dec 13, 2011 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
Hominick certainly left himself WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE open; very disappointing considering his experience. I’m not saying that KZ’s win was a fluke, but I’m also not wildly impressed by it. I’m sure Hominick is kicking his own ass for that ridiculous mistake as I’m typing this.
by Machiel Van on Dec 13, 2011 12:22 PM EST up reply actions
No offense
But there’s some odd trend in MMA where fans prefer to knock the loser for a fault rather than credit the winner, such as saying Sandro was overrated after Curran KO’d him or Miller’s strategy was flawed against Bendo.
I never really got that. However, I’m not discrediting the “he got caught” factor, which is a legit claim.
The fact with TKZ is that he was knocked out by Roop for the first time in his life but each of his three wins under the Zuffa banner have been unforgettable and amazing feats. Uncharacteristic or not, the former #1 contender and 7th ranked FW got KTFO in a few seconds by a rising star with a penchant for unreal performances.
"After all, what's the point? Of course, levitation is possible ... If you're a fly; achieved and gone, there's time for this and so much more ... It's typical - create a world, a special place of my design, to never cope or never care, just use the key because he's alone; he has become a slave, over and over again."
by Dallas Winston on Dec 13, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think it's a coincidence that the one fight that Hominick swings a sloppy haymaker and gets KO'd
is his first fight since Tompkin’s death. I think ST helped reign in Mark’s aggression alot.
"God loves violence... Why else would there be so much of it? It's in us. It's what we are. We wage war, we burn sacrifices, and pillage and plunder and tear at the flesh of our brothers. And why? Because God gave us violence to wage in his honor... There's no moral order at all. There's just this: can my violence conquer yours?"
- Warden of Ashecliffe Hospital
by ElliotMatheny on Dec 13, 2011 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
Fans memories of knockouts stick around for a long time...
Everything that has been said about his marketability and reputation for providing the fans with amazing fights is absolutely true. There has also been title shots earned with less credentials that KZ has compiled, but the key is a balance between those two. If he could add another notable win (I’d like to see him fight the winner of Nunes/Gamburyan) and, under ideal circumstances, avenge his loss to Roop in spectacular fashion it would set him up for an appropriate title shot. Even having him face the winner of Koch/Poirier for a title shot makes sense.
The only FWs my friends know are Aldo, KZ, and I guess Florian, if he still counts
so I think it’d be a great way to jumpstart the division. From a professional sports perspective, I’d rather see Koch/Poirier get the next title shot followed by KZ/the winner of Hioki/Palaszewski, but I wouldn’t mind seeing this as it is a good fight and KZ’s back-to-back historic wins give him at least some argument for a title shot.
LeBron James - 0 Charles Barkley - 0 Karl Malone/John Stockton - 0 Sun Yue -1
Yep, which is why I was wondering if he still counted
that and because he made his name at 155.
LeBron James - 0 Charles Barkley - 0 Karl Malone/John Stockton - 0 Sun Yue -1
Too soon!
Even though Aldo has not looked fantastic in his 2 UFC fights, WEC-era Aldo would murder Korean Zombie (if he ever shows up). Let KZ develop a little more on his way up.
"Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back." -Swearengen
by AwkwardwithwordmakingisGoldberg,huhJoe on Dec 12, 2011 6:50 PM EST reply actions
I agree with pretty much all of your points except...
The idea of him having a title shot now. Being elevated too quickly and being put into a title fight with Aldo now when he is still far too raw will only damage his image and could ruin his potential as a highly marketable contender in the future.
Don't be scared Gomi...
Yeah...
Aldo would buttfuck that Korean for all 5 rounds…
by TheIrishLemon on Dec 12, 2011 7:16 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm just gonna toss this out there now..
K-1 Level Predictions Team
"What do you know about my vision? My vision will turn your world upside down, tear asunder your illusions and send the sanctuary of your own ignorance crashing down around you. Now ask yourself: Are you really ready to see that vision?"
-Huey Freeman
If KZ goes 5 rouns with aldo
Its gonna be amazing
Everything you are all saying makes sense, but the thing for me is that I honestly don’t think he has a ton of long-term potential. He’s not a future champ in my eyes. So strike while the iron is hot – get him in there now. Why wait until he has been KO’d again and the window is closed?
Staff Writer - BloodyElbow.com
Follow me on Twitter: @FCoffeen
by Fraser Coffeen on Dec 12, 2011 7:26 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
Hmm that is a good point...
If he never makes it to that upper echelon then his marketing potential could be wasted but it does seem sad to send such a fan favourite and young fighter in as a sacrificial lamb to Aldo for the sake of a quick boost to the FW division’s popularity. I think the onus should be placed more on Aldo to perform like we all know he can to boost the division’s appeal
Don't be scared Gomi...
by ThatsHowIRoll on Dec 12, 2011 7:32 PM EST up reply actions
Everyone likes to say a fighter has no chance before the fights
And 7 seconds later everything changes and the excuses come out. I think aldo vs zombie would be a fun fight and either way something exciting would happen. Featherweight needs it…. Freak shows to draw eyes first THEN people can start earning it. Also let Aldo first Mendes first, thats already a tough test.
I'm not making any excuses for his last fight...
I thought that was awesome and granted, I am giving him very little chance in a fight with Aldo but aside from him not being ready for the shot, there is also the argument that he hasn’t done enough to deserve the shot with his UFC fight record. What I think the featherweight division ‘needs’ is Jose Aldo to establish himself as a fan favourite by providing some of the epic highlight reel performances we have seen from him pre-UFC.
Don't be scared Gomi...
by ThatsHowIRoll on Dec 12, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
Add a "Follow" button for your twitter.
The Machiavellian.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Dec 12, 2011 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
It is true
I did it
I enjoy MMA, but I am no Michael Bisping
by Andy Anderson on Dec 12, 2011 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with you
It’s prize-fighting. There is a sport element and an entertainment element, and I think sometimes you should book things the Pride way.
And you are right about the Featherweight division. This group of fighters desperately needs a boost, and KZ vs Aldo is just the right boost.
by Lauren J Darkbloom on Dec 12, 2011 8:44 PM EST up reply actions
Does everyone realize that TKZ is 24 years old?
He beat Omigawa when he was 21 and was fighting in the Sengoku GP when he was 22 and into the WEC at 23. I think the improvements he’s made in that time have been phenomenal.
He’s fairly tall for FW with a long reach and is seriously talented striking and on the ground. I’d say that’s got long term potential written all over it.
Nice piece, btw.
"After all, what's the point? Of course, levitation is possible ... If you're a fly; achieved and gone, there's time for this and so much more ... It's typical - create a world, a special place of my design, to never cope or never care, just use the key because he's alone; he has become a slave, over and over again."
by Dallas Winston on Dec 12, 2011 10:02 PM EST up reply actions
I did not realize actually
I thought he looked young, but I just assumed he was 28 or something. With KZ, Poirier, Koch, Aldo and hell I’ll even throw in Grispi all in the lower end of 25 the FW division is looking good.
LeBron James - 0 Charles Barkley - 0 Karl Malone/John Stockton - 0 Sun Yue -1
Grispi has looked like poop lately.
I hope he finds a better camp.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Dec 12, 2011 11:48 PM EST up reply actions
I hate to say shit like this as a non-fighter
But it really doesn’t look like he has the heart for this game.
Read: Toblerone Jones
Yeah, the guy has trouble getting hit.
Xtreme Couture- The best never rest! The girl in my av is Kari Sweets (you're welcome).
"I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler."
-Socrates
by ElliotMatheny on Dec 13, 2011 5:05 AM EST up reply actions
So does Frank Mir
And he is top 10 in the hardest hitting weight class. Solution is to work around it; be a front runner and impose your will
Dear audio diary: Today I may have accidentally registered myself as a sex offender! WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LIFE
- T-Rex
by sitnam90 on Dec 13, 2011 11:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That's the problem, though-
It’s not like Grispi is a very strong wrestler or a very strong striker really. His big strength is his submission game, if you can get past that Grispi doesn’t have too much to offer an elite opponent.
"God loves violence... Why else would there be so much of it? It's in us. It's what we are. We wage war, we burn sacrifices, and pillage and plunder and tear at the flesh of our brothers. And why? Because God gave us violence to wage in his honor... There's no moral order at all. There's just this: can my violence conquer yours?"
- Warden of Ashecliffe Hospital
by ElliotMatheny on Dec 14, 2011 12:01 AM EST up reply actions
It’s fair conjecture based on observations of time in-cage. It’s not like you’re saying you’d do better.
by Machiel Van on Dec 13, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
Yep, Jung is younger than Aldo
I look forward to seeing how much better he can get.
by MichaelDavidSmith on Dec 12, 2011 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
doing so would be a very business oriented move. obviously not good for KZ lol. should other match ups happen i’d like to see KZ vs Nam Phan and rematch with Roop. for what its worth KZ also called out Omigawa and called him a coward for Omigawa going to Dream and not Zuffa.
by PeopleWatching on Dec 13, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
No long term potential?
The dude is so, so young. He has such a MMA upbringing, with sambo, TKD, Hapkido, ridiculously underrated jiujitsu, and the crisp striking really goes without saying. Yes, he was knocked out by Roop, someone who had a ridiculous reach advantage against him and someone he thought he would be able to walk through with his brawler attitude.
He realized his fault from this, however, and if you’ve read anything about his training or mentality after that fight, he’s claimed to have abandoned the “zombie” attitude. Anyway, that was then and this is now. He learned more from being knocked out by Roop than he lost, and has focused on refining his technique more than just putting on a show. The guy he just knocked out in 7 seconds is the guy who made Roop irrelevant in much the same way, (Roop had just suffered the loss of a child at the time of his loss to Hominick, but Hominick gets way more credit for his win in that 1st round knockout than anyone wants to give Jung lol)
Yes, he looks sloppy to us MMA fans watching the original fight with Garcia. Watch it again and pay attention to him, though. He clearly dominates Garcia, despite taking so many hits. If it would have been any other fighter in the ring with him (with the exception of aldo) they would have been crushed. The innate head movement, footwork, and his instinctive ability to counter with effective angles (which was much apparent in the last fight) is something that most fighters will never learn. It’s a talent that you only see from people like JDS, Jose Aldo, or Anderson Silva. It’s hard to be crisp with your boxing when you just took a haymaker to the jaw, and most people would have already been knocked out with as much gas Jung spent beating up Garcia. He’s only gotten so much better since then as well.
Korean Top Team is a little underrated as a gym as well. They’re nowhere a supergiant like Black House, but they do stuff that works. They are one of the ONLY asian MMA teams that seems to have actually adapted to the atmosphere in UFC instead of sticking to ring-type combat like dream. They work hard on their wrestling, but Chan sung has an edge that Dong Hyun and Dong Yi don’t have. He’s a wicked striker.
His fight game is so drastically improved, he has an awesome/intelligent team behind him, and he has so much talent for someone his age. To say he doesn’t have lasting effect almost makes me want to call you racist.
no way Koch vs Poirier winner should get the next shot
the Zombie needs a few more big wins over top guys with his 7 sec. cameo sat. night being a good start
by biggant on Dec 12, 2011 7:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree with the author
Everyone at the bar i was at and all my friends watching love zombie and want him versus aldo. I say do it, worst thing that happen? Aldo highlight reel destroys zombie and earns cred and starts building an aura people. (he has it with us but not all)
The Korean Zombie’s a 145lb version of Chris Lytle. Exciting, likable, always brings it. I would like to see him get a title shot eventually.
That’s a pretty good analogy. He definitely brings a good attitude and always puts on a great show.
by squaresphere on Dec 13, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
gotta disagree
I think Jung has definitely put himself in line for a title shot if he continues to win, but there aer still a few people in front of Jung.
Am I the only one that really think Mendes has a shot though? I really think Mendes is going to present alot of problems, he hits hard and has good wrestling. I wont be shocked if Aldo loses. That being said I still think Aldo will win
One more win please
The guy needs more credibility. I’d really think it’s important to dispel the notion that his win over Hominick was a fluke before he continues, especially considering he was KO’d by Roop. As of now TKZ is on a two-fight win streak, that’s it. Have Jung fight the winner of Gamburyan/Nunes. If he can get past whoever wins that, give him a title fight. If not, give it to Erik Koch/Dustin Poirer/ Hatsu Hioki or whoever, depending on fight results.
How do we know
That Hominick’s knockout over the grieving father that was Roop wasn’t a fluke? :OOOOOO
At least one more BIG win
I am under no impression that if Hominck/Jung happened again that the result would be at all similar.
I personally could give 2 shits if the fight sells more PPV or not. I would rather see who the best in the world is.
The winner of Koch/Poirer or the Gamburyan/Nunes would be a good test. The only reason to rush him to a title shot is because you don’t think he would win another fight against a top contender.
Which is exactly why he shouldn’t be fighting for the title.
I'll bet you
200 dollars on the rematch. Hominick was overhyped, but his performance was wonderful against Aldo. TKZ has never been overhyped. He has proven himself.
A contender could probably beat TKZ, however. I’m afraid of what hioki or koch could do to his particular style, but I think against Aldo, there’s no one at FW who would even stand a chance other than TKZ. No one is as complete a fighter like TKZ is. Everyone has one vice. TKZ is proven in BJJ and striking.
Highlight reels sell fights
Both aldo and zombie have a few. The fight will end spectacular. Do it for fun. Like the original ufc divisions they just showed the fight people wanted, didn’t matter about ranks. They need to do that with feather/bantem for a little. Mendes/Hioki vs Aldo are legit match ups i wanna see, but i’m ok with zombie vs aldo
Korean Zombie winning a title...
Will open the whole country of South Korea up to UFC. Every last one of my students knows who Heinz Ward is even if they havent seen a single play of football. People stop in the streets to watch Kim Yuna skate. Korean Zombie fighting for or defending the title would sell out Olympic Stadium.
Very true. I hope someday there is also an evil and hated FW fighter from North Korea called the Korean Vampire and he fights CSJ for the title.
Opulence, I has it.
by Psychic Octopus on Dec 13, 2011 9:01 AM EST up reply actions
didn't we already try this with florian though?
and it doesn’t seem to have “stuck.”
of course, maybe aldo would knock out jung in spectacular fashion. It would be easier than trying to do that to florian.
jeez, it’s funny how fighters can run out of “buzz.” a few fights ago people were ready to crown him p4p. two decisions in a row (one of which ended in a pretty serious beating and one of which was a little boring) and the party’s over. now it seems to me like there’s more buzz about cruz, who was previoulsy derided for dancing and prancing but is now coming off three exciting fights in a row (although all decisions, all were watchable) and has the rivalry with faber and the coaching gig on TUF.
bottom line is there is no “wrong” decision. i have no problem with koch/poirer but if you want to throw the zombie to the wolves to help the division get some love, fine. after all, jung did in 7 seconds what aldo couldn’t do in 5 rounds.
hmm, I’m actually ok with either. More likely than not from a timing perspective, Jung will need another fight before a title fight depending on how much damage Aldo takes in his next fight.
If it’s a long lay off, Jung will need another fight. If he take little to no damage, why not? Doesn’t Aldo have to finish the fights he had left on his WEC contract before he can renegotiate?
Def should not be in line for a title shot
He had a great KO over Hominick, and a great stoppage over Garcia, but there is no way he should be in a cage with Aldo. Let Zombie get a few more fight in the UFC, and we’ll see then. People that are passioante about MMA know who these guys are, especially the guys from the WEC, Like Swanson, Zombie, Bowles and they are dynamic, very entertaining fighters. Just give these guys the time and a stage and everyone else will get to know who they are and love them.
Just give these guys the time and a stage and everyone else will get to know who they are and love them.
This has yet to work for anyone below 170lbs not named BJ Penn.
"Nothin' wrong with an ass whuppin' every now and then. You take away the ass whuppin's and what do you get? You get people wearin' pants below their belly buttons. I'm tellin' you, you go out these days and see the crack of a young lady's butt. It's crazy, man. They should be locked up for indecent exposure. Look here. See? Suspenders! And a belt! I ain't takin' no chances."
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bloody Elbow
Related FanShots on Bloody Elbow
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
