UFC Busan: How many Korean fighters are competing?

UFC Busan will see a slew of fighters from South Korea put on the gloves and step under the UFC banner for the first time in their home nation.

Chan Sung Jung is better known to American audiences as “The Korean Zombie”, a fighter so deadset on winning, he often walks through headshots and body blows with an unwavering, dare I say zombie-like approach. His hyper-aggressive style and never-say-die philosophy have made him an endearing member of the UFC roster and one that fans everywhere love. That said many of the South Korean fighters on this UFC card are not nearly as well known. Unlike Japan who has roots in the creation of MMA, South Korea, and other Asia-Pacific region nations are new to the fight game, so fans aren’t as aware of some of the more high-end talents.

Dong Hyun Kim has been fighting for the UFC since 2015 and made his debut while fighting in South Korea for the Ben Henderson and Jorge Masvidal fight night card. Dong Hyun Kim lost but found himself fighting on more UFC cards going forward. Another fighter who fought on that card and will be on UFC Busan is Doo Ho Choi. Both Dong Hyun and Doo Ho are on two-fight losing streaks coming into their bouts at UFC Busan.

Another long-time UFC fighter, Kyung Ho Kang, is also on this card. He’s been with the UFC since 2013 and is 5-1 in his last six. Ho Kang is set to face Liu Pingyuan, the lone fighter of Chinese descent on the card. A competitor getting his first fight in his homeland under the UFC banner is Da Ung Jung, one of the better prospects on the card. Ung Jung is on an 11 fight win streak and is up against the 10-4 Mike Rodriguez on the main card. Ung Jung should be someone that everyone keeps their eye on as he takes on his second UFC competitor.

Seung Woo Choi will have his third UFC fight but will enter the prelims on a quest to get his first win under the UFC banner. Jun Yong Park is the last fighter on the card from South Korea and is also looking for his first win in the UFC. Yong Park is entering his second fight for the company at 0-1. Yong Park, much like Woo Choi, will be fighting in South Korea for the first time as members of the UFC roster.

All totaled up, there are seven fighters from South Korea on the card, and one from China. None of the Korean fighters are pitted up against one another, leaving plenty of opportunities for the local crowd to go home happy seeing their home town boys get victories. The odds of all seven men losing are slim, so they should at least get one or two wins out of the night.

UFC Busan takes place on Saturday but airs in the United States on Friday evening through Saturday morning, live from the Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korean. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all the live results and highlights.