Chan-Sung Jung (AKA ‘The Korean Zombie’) and Dustin Poirier put on one of the fights of the year so far in the headline bout of ‘UFC On Fuel TV 3’ with the Zombie eventually coming out on top by submission.
The Korean Zombie looked for a takedown to start off the first round, but while he was initially successful Poirier did a nice job of quickly reversing the position and working his way back to the feet in control from the clinch.
However, the Zombie was then able to get the body lock and trip Poirier back down to the mat. From there Jung was able to land some solid elbows and opened up a cut high on his opponent’s scalp.
Poirier was unfazed though and he managed to land an upkick to the Zombie’s head before producing a slick reversal. He too isn’t able to hold the position for long though as his opponent gets his back up against the cage and uses it to wall walk to his feet.
Then they let their hands go with Poirier connecting with a couple of strikes to the head followed by a knee to the gut, while The Korean Zombie fired back with a head kick which was blocked.
Poirier shoots for a takedown of his own in the final stages of the round, but Jung stuffs it and ends the round on top.
So, an eventful round, but we hadn’t seen anything yet. A kick from Poirier to open up the second was caught by Jung and allowed him to take the fight to the mat. He’s able to land some solid ground and pound including blasting Poirier’s face with a big left hand.
Then The Korean Zombie chooses to bring the fight upright again. He attempts a spinning backfist which misses, but lands with a flying knee followed by more knees from the clinch against the cage.
Poirier charges forward and gets a double leg, but the two fighters continue to roll forward and the Zombie somehow ends up on top in full mount. Remarkable stuff and it continues as Jung throws some strikes before suddenly abandoning the mount to go for an armbar.
Poirier rolls out but the submission attempts are coming thick and fast as Jung chains together triangle and armbar attempts. It’s breathless stuff, but credit to Poirier who keeps a cool head throughout and survives and is now on top where he starts to work some ground and pound of his own.
Jung isn’t finished though and looks for a final triangle attempt. It’s tight, but Poirier is saved by the bell.
Onto round three and amazingly given the pace that’s been set here, this fight is actually scheduled for five! It’s perhaps unsurpising then that the pace dips just a tad here as both men settle into a round of mainly stand-up action.
The Zombie looks to be feeling the pace a little more and that allows Poirier to get into the fight more, though at first he is throwing a little recklessly. He starts to tidy things up a bit as the round progresses though and lands some nice shots before both men throw caution to the wind and slug it out in the final moments of the round, trading hooks toe-to-toe.
Poirier grins at The Zombie as they head into the fourth round, but things quickly take a turn for the worse for him as Jung lands a bit uppercut that sends him reeling back against the cage, followed by a flying knee which connects.
Clearly hurt Poirier instinctively shoots for a takedown. The Korean Zombie is having none of it though and he’s able to lock in a d’arce choke which Poirier isn’t getting out of and has to tap with 1.07mins of the round gone.
This was an amazing fight, at times just balls to the wall, but at others beautifully technical on the ground. It’s unquestionably the ‘Fight Of The Night’, but it might be up their as a ‘Fight Of The Year’ candidate in December too.
Impressive stuff from The Korean Zombie who’s really evolved his game in a relatively short space of time from a reckless stand-up slugger to a well-rounded, exciting fighter with plenty of technique.
Credit to Poirier too who’s still only 23 year’s old yet not only has the heart but also a lot of the technique to go a long way in this sport and can only have earned from this experience.
