Chan Sung Jung has inched closer to a shot at the UFC Featherweight Championship after securing an outstanding first-round knockout victory at UFC Busan on Saturday.
A powerful flurry of punches led to referee Marc Goddard stepping in to save Frankie Edgar from further punishment at 3:18 of the first round.
HE HAS FRANKIE WOBBLED! #UFCBusan pic.twitter.com/lgWxQCd53o
— UFC (@ufc) December 21, 2019
Before the fight, “The Korean Zombie” was calm and composed, drawing energy from the vocal South Korean supporters at Sajik Arena. The former lightweight champion standing across from him was the opposite; Edgar was jumpy, eager, and ready to charge forward.
That may have been the downfall for Edgar in this short-notice main event bout.
After coming forward to close the distance early in the fight, Edgar was clipped by a short left hook and was sent stumbling across the cage. Jung stuffed the immediate takedown attempt from Edgar and was now in complete control of the fight.
The South Korean fighter advanced and landed another series of strong blows to the head. Edgar fell to the mat, allowing Jung to go after the finish by raining down countless strikes to Edgar’s head. Unable to earn the stoppage victory, Jung settled for Edgar’s back.
Jung flattened Edgar out and crushed him with more strikes to the side of the head. Edgar slowly returned to his feet but the punishment would only continue. Jung tagged Edgar with another strong combination of punches to the head. It was deemed too much this time, though, with the technical knockout victory awarded with plenty of time to spare in the second round.
THE HOMECOMING ?♂️ #UFCBusan pic.twitter.com/kb7O9jtXBe
— UFC (@ufc) December 21, 2019
“Last time I was told that my fight was just luck,” Jung said through a translator in his post-fight interview. “But no, not this time. I won this fight.”
The exciting featherweight fighter then announced his intentions to fight for the featherweight title by stating three words that needed no translation:
“I want Volkanovski.”