New UFC signing Hyun Gyu Lim has created a stir ahead of his debut at ‘UFC On Fuel TV 6’ by telling a Korean radio show about a time when he tapped out UFC color commentator Joe Rogan during a BJJ training session.
The story might never have emerged if it hadn’t been for an MMA fan who goes by the moniker ‘Hufusopem’ from the region tuning in and then posting his synopsis of what was said on the Sherdog forum.
Here’s what he reported.
“I’m just listening to a hilarious story Hyun Gyu Lim is telling on a Korean MMA radio show.
He was in America sparring in a camp in California in preparation for Dongi Yang’s fight.
So Lim was finished with the training session and was about to go to the showers when lo and behold Joe Rogan comes into the gym. Lim’s coach tells him to spar with Joe Rogan.
Lim had no idea Joe Rogan was a bjj black belt and rolled with him thinking Joe was just a strong guy who trained for fun.
But after rolling for a few minutes Lim realized Rogan was really strong and really good at bjj and before he knew it Rogan got his back for like 3 minutes, and rolled for an armbar.Of course Lim’s pride was a bit hurt so he got out of the armbar and threw a perfect flying triangle choke and got Rogan in the sub.
But Rogan being the strong HGH ox he is wouldn’t tap so Lim switched to an armbar and cranked and Joe screamed.So afterwards Lim felt so bad that he went up to Joe and apologized profusely. But Rogan just gave him a death stare and basically ignored him.
They are laughing that there is no way Joe Rogan is going to say good things about Lim now when he fights in the UFC.”
The story was later updated with additional info from someone from the Korean Top Team camp.
“A few things to know about this situation…
Joe elbow got tweaked in the flying triangle/armbar which is why he didn’t respond to Ace’s apology at the beginning. A little while later, after Joe sat down a while and iced it, he was cool with it. Ace did apologize again and Joe was gracious about it.
Joe is strong as hell, and on the way back to where we were staying, Ace realized that he had strained a rib (or, rather that Joe had injured his rib) really badly rolling with Joe.”
Needless to say Rogan caught wind of the situation and he then offered up his version of events to MiddleEasy, confirming that the incident had indeed taken place, though he disagreed with a few of the minor details.
“I was a bit surprised to read about this, since most of the time people treat training as what it is; practice, and don’t try to turn things into something to publicize someone’s UFC appearance which is what I’m assuming they’re doing here. I’m also assuming you’re getting this from one of his coaches or friends which is why the story is slightly off. I’ve rolled with a number of guys over the years that have fought in the UFC and other organizations and this is the first time anyone has made a “story” out of training with me.
I should first state that all of those Korean guys are nothing but gentlemen. Very cool guys at the fights and they were very cool at the gym as well.
I remember rolling with Mr. Lim because I tend to remember most people that catch me with something, but I certainly was never mad at him. My recollection was that they were there to train for Dongi Yang’s fight, and I was just there taking class as usual.
I didn’t just walk into the gym as in their version, but it could be that they hadn’t noticed me or something. It was the last roll of the night, and they asked me to train with one of their fighters. I don’t remember the roll too much other than he was very good, and it was pretty fast paced. I remember at one point I got his back for a while, but I couldn’t finish him, and I remember being really tired by that point.
We separated and he caught me in a sweet triangle/arm bar combination. It was very quick and very nice. My elbow got tweaked but I was certainly never upset at him. That could have easily been a language barrier thing, though as I was in some pain.
I iced my elbow and we all sat around and talked some afterwards. My elbow was fine after a day or so. I’m not sure why they would say I was mad at him other than that it makes for a better story that way.
Either way, nice guy, and very skillful. That whole team is filled with very talented fighters.”
Some will say this is a good story that deserved to be told, other’s will feel that what goes on in the gym should stay in the gym. Either way it’s certainly generated interest in Lim’s UFC debut in China on November 10th.
