A. Volkanovski (right) knocked out Z. Coreano (left) at UFC 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Retired since his loss to Max Holloway in August 2023, Chan Sung Jung , the ' Korean Zombie ', opened up about leaving the sport at age 36. Aware of the weight of the decision, the athlete admitted that he acted in a way that maintained consistency with his MMA career. At the time, the fighter linked the idea of not having another opportunity to compete for the title to the 'verdict' of hanging up his gloves.
“I don’t have a chin anymore. I’ve been accumulating brain damage over the last few years. I won’t name names, but there are opponents I have. When you’re young, you have a chin (to absorb attacks). Then, when you get older, you have brain injuries, your chin weakens, and you end up falling easily. If a fighter fails to understand that he’s aged, the end of his career isn’t pleasant. I didn’t want to be an athlete who retires at the wrong time,” said Korean Zombie , in an interview with ' MMA Fighting '.
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UFC representative between 2011 and 2023. In the company, the athlete competed for the belt on two occasions.
In his chances to fight for the belt, Zombie ended up stumbling in both. The first defeat came against José Aldo , champion in 2013. Almost 10 years later, the Korean tested himself against Alexander Volkanovski , the title holder in 2022, but was also defeated.
After attempting redemption against Max Holloway , the veteran was brutally knocked out. The outcome influenced his decision to retire from the sport at age 36.
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