Coach: 'The Korean Zombie' Insisted On Max Holloway Despite Team's Push For 'Easier Fight'

Later this month, a fan-favorite veteran will make the walk to the Octagon for the first time in well over a year.

Chan Sung Jung, a two-time UFC title challenger, hasn’t been in action since a difficult TKO defeat at the hands of reigning featherweight kingpin Alexander Volkanovski last April in Jacksonville.

The result saw “The Korean Zombie” fall short of the divisional mountaintop for the second time, and at the age of 36, many pondered whether his time in the sport was up.

But while the #8-ranked contender appeared to contemplate a retirement, he’s since committed to another appearance. And after a fight at the planned event in his nation’s capital earlier this year fell through, Jung will compete close to home in Singapore on August 26.

Despite seemingly approaching the end of his tenure in the sport, “The Korean Zombie” isn’t pursuing easy fights to conclude his career. So much so that he’s next set to throw down with former champion and current #1-ranked featherweight Max Holloway.

Eddie Cha: ‘The Korean Zombie’ Has Earned The Right To ‘Pick & Choose’

Upon confirmation of the headlining fight for the upcoming UFC Singapore card, “Blessed” opened as a massive -1000 favorite, a figure that eclipsed his previous highest opening line.

During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Jung’s coach Eddie Cha acknowledged the odds and even admitted that the veteran’s team originally wanted an easier fight for him.

But given the career of “The Korean Zombie,” the Fight Ready trainer noted that his man has earned the right to choose his desired foes.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s a 10/1 favorite or an underdog, he’s still gonna go out there and do his thing,” Cha said. “But I don’t think there’s any pressure on him at all. He has everything to win — I think Holloway’s ranked number one right now — and he has nothing to really lose.

“More importantly, this is the fight he wanted. We all wanted an easier fight for him as he’s going to the tail-end of his career. But he’s always looked up to Max and this is the fight he wanted,” Cha continued. “I said, ‘You’ve earned that right to kinda pick and choose who you want to fight with,’ and I think Max wanted it too.”

Having gotten his wish to share the cage with a fellow vet whom he’s surprisingly yet to cross paths with, Jung’s attention will turn towards delivering a strong performance and proving those writing his chances off wrong.

That will be no easy feat, however, with Holloway coming off an impressive main event victory over the rising Arnold Allen at UFC Kansas City this past April. 

It's less than a month away before the Showdown in Singapore! 🤩Presenting your official poster for #UFCSingapore! Get your tickets while you can! 🎟️➡️ https://t.co/Jpp6nUlMDr📅 #UFCSingapore | AUG 26 | #SingapoReimagine | #VisitSingapore | #PassionMadePossible |… pic.twitter.com/OIuy9uASlO

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• Read Also: Max Holloway Opens As Biggest Favorite Of His Career For UFC Singapore Headliner Against ‘The Korean Zombie’

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