Chan Sung Jung has openly admitted that he is finding it challenging to adjust to life as a retired UFC fighter.
The former featherweight contender, widely known as ‘The Korean Zombie,’ had an impressive career, battling renowned MMA fighters such as Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, and Alexander Volkanovski over an incredible 17-8 run in the sport.
Jung decided to retire from his UFC career following a devastating faceplant knockout loss to Max Holloway in August 2023.
Now, 16 months after that fight, the 37-year-old has shared his true feelings about the prospect of never fighting again.
Chan Sung Jung recently opened up about his brief time away from the Octagon.
“I miss it all the time,” he disclosed during an interview with MMA Fighting.
He recalled a recent moment: “I was in Doo Ho Choi’s corner for his fight, and the whole time I was thinking, ‘Man, I want to get back in there too.’”
“It’s just how it is when you’re a fighter. It’s in your blood for life,” he added.
Despite his longing for MMA, Jung is doubtful about making a return to competition.
However, he remains open to participating in other types of combat sports, should the right opportunity come along.
“I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think I’d come back to MMA,” he stated.
“I’ve always been open to boxing or grappling matches, though. It’d be cool to make something happen at a Z-Fight Night event someday. Who knows?”
In addition to his reflections on retirement, Jung is staying active in his post-UFC life.
The fan-favorite fighter has taken the initiative to launch his own fight league, named Z Fight Night.
The league is set to host its second event on Saturday night, although UFC president Dana White was unable to attend due to political unrest in South Korea.
Despite this, Jung appreciates the support he has received from the prominent figure in the MMA world.
“After retiring, I sought something exciting to do, and running a promotion was one of the options I had in mind,” Jung explained.
With UFC Fight Pass officially supporting his promotion, he realized this was a significant opportunity to contribute to the growth of MMA in Asia and Korea.
“Honestly, I never wanted to run a promotion while I was still fighting. Managing people, especially fighters, can be quite demanding. But I believed that by using my fighting career and connecting with fighters sincerely, they would trust me and follow my lead. That’s what motivated me to pursue this path.”
Jung expressed enthusiasm about his new venture: “It’s been fun so far. Having UFC and Dana White’s backing has been immensely helpful. Naturally, I have concerns, but it brings back memories of when I first started my fighting career. The thought of how Z-Fight Night will evolve by the time we reach our 10th event inspires me and keeps me excited.”
As he transitions into this new role, Jung continues to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come his way.
Source link
