‘The Korean Zombie’ Looking to Build Upon Quick Stoppage of Renato ‘Moicano’

One of the most beloved fighters on the UFC’s roster is back on the winning track, and it might not be very long before Chan Sung Jung finds himself in the thick of things at the top of the featherweight division.

Jung (15-5) obliterated Renato Carneiro Saturday night in Greenville, S.C., in the main event of UFC Fight Night 154, stopping the Brazilian via punches in just 58 seconds. The triumph marked the first time “The Korean Zombie” had his hand raised since losing to Yair Rodriguez with a second remaining in the fifth round last November, and Jung is excited to be ascending the 145-pound ladder again.

“I was prepared for afive5-round-fight, but I’m beyond happy to be eligible for a title shot,” Jung said immediately following his main event win. “It’s becoming closer and closer. I never plan my fights to be exciting, but they usually turn out like that.”

Before “The Korean Zombie” can find himself opposite the current featherweight champion, he’ll need to embark on some sort of winning streak. Since returning to MMA action following his mandatory service to the South Korean military, Jung has only fought thrice, turning in a 2-1 record. He was ranked just outside the Top 10 in the UFC’s featherweight rankings, and he knows he can ill afford another setback like the one he suffered when a Rodriguez elbow ended his night at UFC Fight Night 139.

On the ESPN+ post-fight show, the man of few words stated the obvious: “As a fighter, it definitely helps when you’re on a winning streak, as opposed to a losing streak.”

Since Jung showed up to work and punched his time clock in and out in under a minute, he can likely return to the Octagon much sooner rather than later. Though Jung didn’t say anybody’s name in particular, his translator and coach, Eddie Cham said on ESPN+ that it doesn’t matter who the fighter is as long as the next time Jung steps into the cage that his foe is someone with a higher ranking.